The Latin term for the vulva (inclusive of the inner labia, outer labia, clitoris and pubic mound) stems from the Latin root pudenda which means; "that whereof one ought to feel shame." Interestingly, until 1895, anatomical resources recognised the pudendal region in both men and women but after the 1950s, the "pudendum feminine" (the female shame part) was the only one listed. 

Reproductive Justice, a term coined by the organisation SisterSong, is the human right to maintain personal bodily autonomy, have children, and parent the children one has in safe and sustainable communities. The term combines the understanding of Reproductive Rights & Social Justice: 

The patriarchy often denies that people with vulvas can be sexual agents who make moral decisions in light of their own sexual desires. In heterosexual relationships, for example, the patriarchy reinforces that women should have sex with male partners regardless of whether or not they desire it, or are likely to find it pleasurable.

This week, we asked, you answered —"What's something you wished you learned in sex ed?" In a recent flossy survey, even something as common as vaginismus was information one woman reported not finding out about until her honeymoon when she had penetrative sex for the first time! 

First and foremost, start with exploring yourself. Either with a mirror or by simply closing your eyes – it will be trial and error and certain products will work for some folks and not others. You are your own artist and you can curate your own pleasure based on your body… which is always changing.

Due to the stigma and lack of regulation, most sexual wellness products on the market are low quality, poorly designed and are not guaranteed to be 100% body-safe. Not to mention 70% of the industry is run by men – meaning it's especially hard for women to feel like products are actually being designed with their pleasure in mind.

While quality relationships are the key to quality lives, quality relationships require a high level of intimacy; something that requires careful and consistent tending to and is typically not something that flourishes over long periods of time without intentional self-reflection and effort.

In a society that praises heterosexual, monogamous experiences, it's common to wonder if your fantasies are "normal." Sex Educator Eleni Gabrielides says "fantasies are a wonderful tool to spark arousal" and even if you think our fantasy is weird and abnormal, simply thinking about something isn't your subconscious telling you that it’s something you want to do IRL.

A sexually liberated society is a healthy, connected and empowered society. When we are sexually liberated, we understand that sex goes beyond the physical experience or orientation – beyond gender identity and beyond social expectations. As sexually liberated beings we will understand that our sexual expression is how we choose to engage with life. 

It's about time we started giving our toys the respect and treatment they deserve. Even though they're inanimate objects, let's all agree they're pretty high on the list of this that makes us feel good.

We surveyed over 2000 people in the flossy audience and you might be surprised to learn that only one of the top 10 reasons had any mention of masturbating when they feel "horny." The other top nine could easily have the word "masturbate" swapped out for "yoga" and you'd never know we were talking about self-pleasure.

Navigating sex and dealing with PCOS and endometriosis has been quite the never ending battle you could say. With saying that… until recently I have not put in the time my body deserved in understanding the somatic/physical response between the conditions and my sex life. It is so important to understand not only the physical but also the deep rooted embodied response as well.