Sabine Walter

An anonymous writer put it this way: "Friends in your life are like pillars on your porch. Sometimes they hold you up and sometimes they lean on you. Sometimes it's just enough to know they're standing by." ©Seventyfour / Adobe StockWriter Elisabeth Foley points out that friendship doubles your joy and divides your grief, and that the most beautiful discovery that true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart.

If a couple tries to conceive but can’t seem to do it, one of the first things that doctors look for is a problem with the man’s sperm. Sperm compose about 5 to 10 percent of semen, and are the only part of the semen that can cause pregnancy. If a man is infertile, there is a problem with his sperm — often a low sperm count or low motility.

Masturbation is, in fact, a basic part of good sexual functioning. The myths about going blind are most definitely untrue, and masturbation is a healthy part of growing up. If, however, you are just exploring sexuality, you may be wondering exactly how to masturbate (or how the “other half” masturbates). Keep in mind that, while you can read about the most common ways, there are many ways to enjoy sexual pleasure on your own and no “wrong way” to masturbate.

Heterosexual intercourse occurs whenever a man puts his penis into a woman’s vagina. That’s the minimal definition. But sex is about more than that simple act. As such, you may be curious, or you may want to know how to describe sex to a teenager. The information below explains what — exactly — happens during intercourse.

Modern women face a lot of pressure when trying to bridge the gap between their bodies and today’s “ideal” body type, as project by the media. Body image can be a fragile thing, and plenty of women have worried that they are “too fat” to have sex. If your body image is interfering with your sex life, you can overcome the problem.

If you’re a parent, or if you hang around kids long enough, at some point you will be asked a question pertaining to sex. Many adults panic when confronted with such questions. Right away, they think that they’re going to have to explain the whole scenario, and they don’t know how to talk about sex with younger children.

What's the right age to start having sex? When to start having intercourse (or any other type of sex) is a very difficult and serious decision to make. Some people believe you must wait until you're married before having sex. Other people may not have a problem with premarital sex. You're the only one who can decide for yourself — although there are important factors to consider in that decision.

What is sex, exactly? In other words, what "counts" as having sex? And when do you stop being a virgin? Sexual relations cover activities beyond intercourse: They also include outercourse, oral sex, and anal sex. So what are the differences and how do they impact virginity? One thing that all forms of sex (outercourse, oral sex, anal sex, and intercourse) have in common is that they involve two people giving each other the pleasure that comes from having an orgasm.

Understanding women's sexual (or reproductive) organs such as the vagina, uterus, and vulva is as integral to sex as understanding the penis. Demystifying female anatomy is key to good sexual functioning, whether you're a mature, experienced adult or looking to learn about women's sexual organs for the first time.