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.

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.

An unexpected pregnancy can be the happiest news, the worst, or somewhere in between, depending on your situation. Deciding what to do when you’re unexpectedly pregnant is a huge decision, and you should know what all of your options are. Keeping the baby One option is to carry the baby to term and keep it. More and more single women are certainly doing this.

For many parents and teens, the idea of talking about masturbation sounds like an exercise in horrendous discomfort and awkward silences. Many adults believe there’s nothing to be gained from it, either; they may think that masturbation is pretty self-explanatory. But, in fact, many kids have questions about masturbation.

The sexual response cycle is, essentially, a clinical version of how a human body responds during sex. By examining thousands of examples, scientists are able to carefully describe the events that happen in the lead-up, actual experience, and follow-up of the sexual act. If you truly want to know what exactly is going on when two people have sex, the physical side is all explained through the sexual response cycle: Sexual Desire Phase: The Sexual Desire Phase, sometimes called the libido, precedes actual physical or psychological stimulation.

Some women wonder if they’ve ever experienced an orgasm. This is not a ridiculous question, as many women have not ever reached climax, and others experience what is called a missed orgasm. So whether they’ve just missed a passing orgasm or have never even come close, millions of women (and a few men) don’t even know what an orgasm is.

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.

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.