Coercion of Pregnant Adult Women Some courts, states, and agencies may decide that women are not taking good enough care of themselves and the fetus while they are pregnant. It may be that they are using drugs or alcohol or may not be getting proper medical care. Judges have allowed such women to be imprisoned, [...]

There are more than 30 different kinds of sexually transmitted infections that are spread through vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Some can be spread by touching or kissing. One out of four Americans will contract a sexually transmitted infection during his or her lifetime. About 12 million new cases are diagnosed each year in the [...]

Attitudes toward sex and marriage revealed in the Old Testament indicate a sensual and earthy consciousness of sex with an accompanying double standard and devaluation of women. The Song of Solomon is essentially a hymn of appreciation for the sexual potential of the human body. Women as sexual beings were, however, regarded as property, and [...]

In sex, as in most other aspects of life, the older teach the younger. In the vast majority of cases such encounters are with someone close to the child, a family member, another relative, a neighbor, or a “babysitter.” If the “teaching” is sexual, it most often is fondling or oral relations; attempted intercourse is [...]

Homosexuality has long been portrayed as a failure to solidify one’s gender identity. It has been posited, for example, that boys become heterosexual only if they are reasonably certain of their masculinity, and that, in turn, precludes any continuing sexual interest in other boys. A strong sense of masculinity is also thought to heighten boys’ [...]

How can I avoid getting PID? Knowing that it exists helps. If you decrease your chances of getting sexually transmitted diseases by practicing ‘safe sex’, you decrease your chances of having PID. You should have any suspicious symptom, such as spotting between periods or pain with intercourse, investigated promptly. Consider having a test for chlamydia [...]

Private care. This option involves choosing a particular doctor, usually a specialist obstetrician, or a general practitioner who performs obstetric care. You will see the doctor in his or her consulting rooms for your antenatal visits. The doctor makes arrangements with you to book a place in a hospital for the birth of your baby, [...]

We all know that most lumps and bumps are not serious, but that doesn’t stop us worrying when one appears, especially if it appears ‘below the belt’. It is important to get things checked out, so don’t use this chapter as a substitute for the real thing. Go to the doctor if you find something [...]

Candidiasis, or thrush or moniliasis is a skin infection caused by a yeast (fungus) overgrowth. The yeast which is usually responsible is called Candida albicans, but others may give a similar infection. Yeast infections may be more likely to occur at certain times, and under particular conditions. The conditions thrush seems to like best are [...]

For a diagnosis of PMS to be valid certain criteria need to be met. The symptoms should be present only during part of the menstrual cycle, particularly what is known as the ‘luteal phase’, the second half of the cycle, which precedes the bleeding period. The symptoms tend to lessen within a day or two [...]