Jump to content

Choose locationChoose Location
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Open I want to choose my medical group or hospital
    • Clear my location
Change Location
Sutter Health
  • Video Visits
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Treatments & Services
  • Locations
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Video Visits
    • Find Doctors
    • Find Locations
    • Treatments & Services
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Symptom Checker
    • Get Care Today
    • Health & Wellness
    • Classes & Events
    • Research & Clinical Trials
    • For Patients
    • About Sutter Health
    • Giving
    • Volunteering
    • Careers
    • News
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Other Business Services
Close Search
  • Home
  • Health and Wellness
  • Sexual Health and Relationships
Content

Sexual Health

Here’s what you need to know to keep your sex life healthy and safe.

Protect Yourself Against STDs

Learn honest communication and safer-sex strategies to help you avoid sexually transmitted infections.

How to Talk to Your Kids About Sex

Research shows that parental involvement reduces kids’ risky choices. Whether you have toddlers or teens, learn how to build open communication about sex.

Why Your Preteen Needs the HPV Vaccine

This safe, accessible treatment permanently protects your child from contracting a common STD that causes many cancers, including cervical cancer.

    Featured Articles

    Young couple in bed

    Examine Your Partner During Intimacy

    Use proximity and love to enhance early detection of common ailments.

    Feet tangled in bed

    Have Great Sex in Midlife

    You can have a satisfying sex life in your 40s, 50s and beyond.

    Couple laughing in bed

    Men: Maintain a Healthy Sex Life

    Learn how STD and body awareness can help you keep sex fun and safe.

    View All Sexual Health and Relationship Articles

    Ask an Expert

    Ask the Expert Team

    Ask the Expert Team

    Sutter Health

    I'm female (36) with a Mirena IUD. I have lower abdominal pains that feel like my uterus is being squeezed. It's worse after my period or intense orgasms. My IUD was checked and it's in the correct place.

    Although the Mirena IUD is an excellent method for contraception, control of menstrual bleeding, and cramping with periods, in some women it is not well tolerated. Since you have quite clearly identified your p... continue reading  about  I'm female (36) with a Mirena IUD. I have lower abdominal pains that feel like my uterus is being squeezed. It's worse after my period or intense orgasms. My IUD was checked and it's in the correct place.

    Susan Maayah

    Susan Maayah, M.D.

    Palo Alto Medical Foundation

    Does the clitoris disappear with age? After 70?

    The clitoris never actually disappears, but it can become smaller over time after the loss of circulating female hormones with menopause. This is part of a normal condition with aging called urogenital atrophy.... continue reading  about  Does the clitoris disappear with age? After 70?

    Deborah Quinn-Chen

    Deborah Quinn-Chen, M.D.

    Palo Alto Medical Foundation

    My friends tell me their sex drive wasn't the same after they had a baby. Is that true?

    Having a baby is an overwhelming experience. You will experience changes in your body as well as your emotional state. You will be caring for your baby 24 hours a day, with interrupted sleep for at least the fi... continue reading  about  My friends tell me their sex drive wasn't the same after they had a baby. Is that true?

    Deborah Quinn-Chen

    Deborah Quinn-Chen, M.D.

    Palo Alto Medical Foundation

    Is it okay to have sex during pregnancy?

    Pregnancy is a normal part of life. During pregnancy a woman is not sick or fragile. It is true there are some restrictions in foods and activities, but for the most part women are encouraged to live a healthy,... continue reading  about  Is it okay to have sex during pregnancy?

    Junaid H. Khan

    Junaid H. Khan, M.D., FACC, FACS

    Eden Medical Center

    Can you participate in sex if you have an enlarged heart?

    Great question, and one we get asked often. We also get asked about the use of Viagra. Sexual activity is generally categorized under "vigorous physical activity." Patients with known heart conditions need to c... continue reading  about  Can you participate in sex if you have an enlarged heart?

    Catherine A. Madison

    Catherine A. Madison, M.D.

    California Pacific Medical Center

    For the first time in my life I experience vertigo after climaxing. Why is that?

    Headaches after climax have been described over the years and are felt related to changes in the size of blood vessels after sex. Vertigo is more unusual and might suggest a problem with the inner ear system; a... continue reading  about  For the first time in my life I experience vertigo after climaxing. Why is that?

    Susan Maayah

    Susan Maayah, M.D.

    Palo Alto Medical Foundation

    I'm 41 and have had my tubes tied/clamped. I'm in a committed relationship so we do not use condoms and are rather sexually active. Is there any need to douche? I never have, and have heard conflicting opinions from friends.

    Douching is not recommended for several reasons.Douche cleansing fluids tend to alter the vaginal pH and this can negatively impact the vagina's normal healthy bacterial flora and mucus and make one more suscep... continue reading  about  I'm 41 and have had my tubes tied/clamped. I'm in a committed relationship so we do not use condoms and are rather sexually active. Is there any need to douche? I never have, and have heard conflicting opinions from friends.

    Karen Pantazis

    Karen Pantazis, M.D.

    Sutter Amador Hospital

    My husband had back surgery last year. He takes medication daily for chronic pain. The last few months he seems depressed and has very little interest in sex. Could the medication or the pain be causing this? Any suggestions on how I can help him?

    It is not unusual for patients who take pain medication and are depressed due to chronic pain to have diminished interest in sex. It could be due to the medications, the depression, the chronic pain, diminished... continue reading  about  My husband had back surgery last year. He takes medication daily for chronic pain. The last few months he seems depressed and has very little interest in sex. Could the medication or the pain be causing this? Any suggestions on how I can help him?

    Ask the Expert Team

    Ask the Expert Team

    Sutter Health

    I've heard urinary tract infections (UTIs) are getting harder to treat. Why is this and who's at risk of developing one?

    Urinary tract infections are one of the most common infections doctors treat. More than half of women living in the United States will get a UTI at some point in their lives. Urinary tract infections are caused... continue reading  about  I've heard urinary tract infections (UTIs) are getting harder to treat. Why is this and who's at risk of developing one?

    More Resources

    View Sutter's full medical library

    Healthwise Medical Library

    Look up helpful health information.

    View information for Sutter Health Patients

    Patient Information

    Practical info for Sutter patients.

    Tools and Quizzes

    Tools and Quizzes

    Online tools to help you make decisions about your health.

    The Sutter Health Network of Care
    Expertise to fit your needs
    Primary Care

    Check-ups, screenings and sick visits for adults and children.

    Specialty Care

    Expertise and advanced technologies in all areas of medicine.

    Emergency Care

    For serious accidents, injuries and conditions that require immediate medical care.

    Urgent Care

    After-hours, weekend and holiday services.

    Walk-In Care

    Convenient walk-in care clinics for your non-urgent health needs.

    About Sutter

  • About Our Network
  • Annual Report
  • Awards
  • Community Benefit
  • Contact Us
  • News
  • Giving
  • Find Care

  • Birth Centers
  • Care Centers
  • Emergency Rooms
  • Hospitals
  • Imaging
  • Labs
  • Surgery Centers
  • Urgent Care
  • Walk-In Care
  • View All >
  • Featured Services

  • Behavioral Health
  • Cancer Services
  • Family Medicine
  • Home Health and Hospice
  • Orthopedics
  • Pediatrics
  • Pregnancy
  • Primary Care
  • Women's Health
  • View All >
  • Patient Resources

  • Accepted Health Plans
  • Classes and Events
  • Estimate Costs
  • Health and Wellness
  • Medical Records
  • Medicare Advantage
  • My Health Online
  • Pay a Bill
  • Symptom Checker
  • Our Team

  • For Employees
  • Physician Careers
  • Recruiting Events
  • Residencies and Fellowships
  • Sutter Careers
  • Vendors
  • Volunteers
    • ADA Accessibility
    • Contact
    • Privacy
    • Do Not Sell My Personal Information

    • LinkedIn Opens new window
    • YouTube Opens new window
    • Facebook Opens new window
    • Twitter Opens new window
    • Glassdoor Opens new window
    • Instagram Opens new window

    Copyright © 2022 Sutter Health. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health ®, Reg. U.S. Patent & Trademark office.

    Cookie Policy

    We use cookies to give you the best possible user experience. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences

    Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences