What do I need to know about sexually transmitted infections in the US??
Reproductive Health
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
A: Some infection rates have dropped, and others have risen. Read the post to learn about important trends in this group of illnesses. Did you know that April is Sexually Transmitted Infection Awareness Month? Well, you do now! In honor of this month’s national health theme and its slogan *TALK, TEST, TREAT*, we wanted to Read more…
April 9, 2023
What is mifepristone, and why is it in the news right now?
Reproductive Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
A: Mifepristone is a synthetic hormone (made outside the body) that blocks progesterone and cortisol. Progesterone and cortisol are two hormones that the body makes. Progesterone is a hormone that helps in many normal processes, including keeping the uterus from contracting during early pregnancy. As a progesterone blocker, mifepristone leads to uterine contractions and is Read more…
March 30, 2023
Hot flashes and mood swings in perimenopause! Make ‘em go away!
Reproductive Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
Ugh! We are right there with you! Perimenopause (the time before, during, and right after menopause) is a normal and expected process for ~50% of the human population. Nevertheless.The.Symptoms.Can.Stink. 🔥Studies show between 50-85% of us experience hot flashes during the late menopausal transition and early postmenopause. For most of us, these are mild to moderate. Read more…
March 27, 2023
Can COVID-19 cause erectile dysfunction (ED)?
Reproductive Health
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Signs point to yes. Previous small studies suggested a link between COVID-19 and ED, but we now have… firmer evidence. A large study using US insurance claims data compared men who were infected with COVID-19 between Jan 2020-Jan 2021 (so pre-vaccine) to men with similar characteristics without an infection. Men with a COVID-19 infection were Read more…
March 20, 2023
Re-introducing the Reproductive Health Squad!
Reproductive Health
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Those Nerdy Girls are thrilled to re-introduce our Reproductive Health Squad, a group of contributing writers with expertise in all things reproductive health. This includes birth control, pregnancy, menstruation, menopause, sexual health, lactation, and abortion, among other topics. Don’t forget to submit your questions! Submit questions to our question box here! Link to original Those Read more…
March 10, 2023
March 10 is National Women and Girls HIV Awareness Day.
Reproductive Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
Some groups in this country do not know they are at risk of getting HIV. Knowing your risk is an important step in preventing infection. Here are the stats from 2019*: Although the overall number of new cases is going down, there is still work to be done. 36, 801 new diagnoses of HIV in Read more…
March 4, 2023
Ok, just what IS the difference between sex and gender?!
Reproductive Health
Alexandra Hall, MD
To answer this question we need to discuss three different things: Biological sex (body characteristics), Gender expression (how we communicate our gender to the world), and Gender identity (our sense of self). Biological sex refers to the different types of body parts (anatomy), chromosomes , and hormones present in a person. Typically, most folks are Read more…
March 2, 2023
Is The Morning-After pill still legal?
Reproductive Health
A. August Burns, MPH, PA, CM
Yes, the morning-after pill, also known as the Emergency Contraception pill, is still legal in all 50 states. The morning-after pill is contraception, not abortion. It works by delaying ovulation and will not harm a pregnancy. And your right to *contraception* was not changed by the Supreme Court decision that overturned the constitutional right to Read more…
February 27, 2023
We Need to Move the Needle on Black Reproductive Health. Like, Yesterday.
Reproductive Health Social and Racial Justice
MacKenzie (Kenzie) Isaac, MA
“Can’t wait to write a tell all about my experience during my last two trimesters dealing with incompetent doctors at Montefiore [Hospital].” On April 17, 2020, Amber Rose Isaac logged into her Twitter account and aired her grievances for the last time. Just four days later, she died of childbirth complications from a severely delayed Read more…
February 21, 2023
Happy National Condom Week!
Reproductive Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
“Wait, that’s a thing?” Yes, National Condom Week is celebrated every year from February 14-February 21. “Why, for goodness’ sake, do we need to celebrate this?” Well, condoms help prevent the spreading of sexually transmitted infections, and sadly in the US, many sexually transmitted infections are on the rise. So to honor National Condom Week Read more…
February 17, 2023
Isn’t boy vs. girl just a simple matter of different sex chromosomes (XX vs. XY) and body parts?
Reproductive Health
and Alexandra Hall, MD
A: Actually, humans come in a variety of X and Y chromosome combinations (not just XX and XY) and body parts (i.e., anatomy). TL; DR: Most people that have XX chromosomes develop what is considered “typical” female anatomy and most that have XY chromosomes develop “typical” male anatomy. But not always. Other sex chromosome combinations Read more…
February 14, 2023
Is emergency contraception the same as abortion?
Reproductive Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
TL, DR: No. Emergency contraception prevents pregnancy. It does not end a pregnancy. For a person who doesn’t want to be pregnant, it helps *prevent* the need for abortion. There are two types of emergency contraception, pills and IUDs (intrauterine devices). The hormonal pills that contain only the hormone levonorgestrel are available over the counter Read more…
February 8, 2023
What’s this I’ve been hearing about chemicals in period underwear? Are they safe?
Reproductive Health
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Don’t panic. It’s unlikely that Thinx or other period underwear pose a risk to your health, but there are still some unknowns. A recent U.S. class action lawsuit against Thinx claimed its advertisement that Thinx are “organic, sustainable, and nontoxic” was misleading. This news has understandably made a lot of people who use these products Read more…
February 7, 2023
Why do Those Nerdy Girls use phrases like “people with cervices” and “people who lactate” in your reproductive health posts? Why not just say “women”?
Health Policy Reproductive Health Social and Racial Justice
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
TL;DR: Our phrases include more people. When we exclude people by not naming them, they may lack access to critical information they need to make potentially life-saving decisions. We are science communicators. We take complicated scientific research and medical recommendations and try to make them easily digestible to our readers. As scientists, we must be Read more…
A: Some infection rates have dropped, and others have risen. Read the post to learn about important trends in this group of illnesses. Did you know that April is Sexually Transmitted Infection Awareness Month? Well, you do now! In honor of this month’s national health theme and its slogan *TALK, TEST, TREAT*, we wanted to Read more…
What is mifepristone, and why is it in the news right now?
Reproductive Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
A: Mifepristone is a synthetic hormone (made outside the body) that blocks progesterone and cortisol. Progesterone and cortisol are two hormones that the body makes. Progesterone is a hormone that helps in many normal processes, including keeping the uterus from contracting during early pregnancy. As a progesterone blocker, mifepristone leads to uterine contractions and is Read more…
March 30, 2023
Hot flashes and mood swings in perimenopause! Make ‘em go away!
Reproductive Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
Ugh! We are right there with you! Perimenopause (the time before, during, and right after menopause) is a normal and expected process for ~50% of the human population. Nevertheless.The.Symptoms.Can.Stink. 🔥Studies show between 50-85% of us experience hot flashes during the late menopausal transition and early postmenopause. For most of us, these are mild to moderate. Read more…
March 27, 2023
Can COVID-19 cause erectile dysfunction (ED)?
Reproductive Health
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Signs point to yes. Previous small studies suggested a link between COVID-19 and ED, but we now have… firmer evidence. A large study using US insurance claims data compared men who were infected with COVID-19 between Jan 2020-Jan 2021 (so pre-vaccine) to men with similar characteristics without an infection. Men with a COVID-19 infection were Read more…
March 20, 2023
Re-introducing the Reproductive Health Squad!
Reproductive Health
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Those Nerdy Girls are thrilled to re-introduce our Reproductive Health Squad, a group of contributing writers with expertise in all things reproductive health. This includes birth control, pregnancy, menstruation, menopause, sexual health, lactation, and abortion, among other topics. Don’t forget to submit your questions! Submit questions to our question box here! Link to original Those Read more…
March 10, 2023
March 10 is National Women and Girls HIV Awareness Day.
Reproductive Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
Some groups in this country do not know they are at risk of getting HIV. Knowing your risk is an important step in preventing infection. Here are the stats from 2019*: Although the overall number of new cases is going down, there is still work to be done. 36, 801 new diagnoses of HIV in Read more…
March 4, 2023
Ok, just what IS the difference between sex and gender?!
Reproductive Health
Alexandra Hall, MD
To answer this question we need to discuss three different things: Biological sex (body characteristics), Gender expression (how we communicate our gender to the world), and Gender identity (our sense of self). Biological sex refers to the different types of body parts (anatomy), chromosomes , and hormones present in a person. Typically, most folks are Read more…
March 2, 2023
Is The Morning-After pill still legal?
Reproductive Health
A. August Burns, MPH, PA, CM
Yes, the morning-after pill, also known as the Emergency Contraception pill, is still legal in all 50 states. The morning-after pill is contraception, not abortion. It works by delaying ovulation and will not harm a pregnancy. And your right to *contraception* was not changed by the Supreme Court decision that overturned the constitutional right to Read more…
February 27, 2023
We Need to Move the Needle on Black Reproductive Health. Like, Yesterday.
Reproductive Health Social and Racial Justice
MacKenzie (Kenzie) Isaac, MA
“Can’t wait to write a tell all about my experience during my last two trimesters dealing with incompetent doctors at Montefiore [Hospital].” On April 17, 2020, Amber Rose Isaac logged into her Twitter account and aired her grievances for the last time. Just four days later, she died of childbirth complications from a severely delayed Read more…
February 21, 2023
Happy National Condom Week!
Reproductive Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
“Wait, that’s a thing?” Yes, National Condom Week is celebrated every year from February 14-February 21. “Why, for goodness’ sake, do we need to celebrate this?” Well, condoms help prevent the spreading of sexually transmitted infections, and sadly in the US, many sexually transmitted infections are on the rise. So to honor National Condom Week Read more…
February 17, 2023
Isn’t boy vs. girl just a simple matter of different sex chromosomes (XX vs. XY) and body parts?
Reproductive Health
and Alexandra Hall, MD
A: Actually, humans come in a variety of X and Y chromosome combinations (not just XX and XY) and body parts (i.e., anatomy). TL; DR: Most people that have XX chromosomes develop what is considered “typical” female anatomy and most that have XY chromosomes develop “typical” male anatomy. But not always. Other sex chromosome combinations Read more…
February 14, 2023
Is emergency contraception the same as abortion?
Reproductive Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
TL, DR: No. Emergency contraception prevents pregnancy. It does not end a pregnancy. For a person who doesn’t want to be pregnant, it helps *prevent* the need for abortion. There are two types of emergency contraception, pills and IUDs (intrauterine devices). The hormonal pills that contain only the hormone levonorgestrel are available over the counter Read more…
February 8, 2023
What’s this I’ve been hearing about chemicals in period underwear? Are they safe?
Reproductive Health
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Don’t panic. It’s unlikely that Thinx or other period underwear pose a risk to your health, but there are still some unknowns. A recent U.S. class action lawsuit against Thinx claimed its advertisement that Thinx are “organic, sustainable, and nontoxic” was misleading. This news has understandably made a lot of people who use these products Read more…
February 7, 2023
Why do Those Nerdy Girls use phrases like “people with cervices” and “people who lactate” in your reproductive health posts? Why not just say “women”?
Health Policy Reproductive Health Social and Racial Justice
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
TL;DR: Our phrases include more people. When we exclude people by not naming them, they may lack access to critical information they need to make potentially life-saving decisions. We are science communicators. We take complicated scientific research and medical recommendations and try to make them easily digestible to our readers. As scientists, we must be Read more…
A: Mifepristone is a synthetic hormone (made outside the body) that blocks progesterone and cortisol. Progesterone and cortisol are two hormones that the body makes. Progesterone is a hormone that helps in many normal processes, including keeping the uterus from contracting during early pregnancy. As a progesterone blocker, mifepristone leads to uterine contractions and is Read more…
Hot flashes and mood swings in perimenopause! Make ‘em go away!
Reproductive Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
Ugh! We are right there with you! Perimenopause (the time before, during, and right after menopause) is a normal and expected process for ~50% of the human population. Nevertheless.The.Symptoms.Can.Stink. 🔥Studies show between 50-85% of us experience hot flashes during the late menopausal transition and early postmenopause. For most of us, these are mild to moderate. Read more…
March 27, 2023
Can COVID-19 cause erectile dysfunction (ED)?
Reproductive Health
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Signs point to yes. Previous small studies suggested a link between COVID-19 and ED, but we now have… firmer evidence. A large study using US insurance claims data compared men who were infected with COVID-19 between Jan 2020-Jan 2021 (so pre-vaccine) to men with similar characteristics without an infection. Men with a COVID-19 infection were Read more…
March 20, 2023
Re-introducing the Reproductive Health Squad!
Reproductive Health
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Those Nerdy Girls are thrilled to re-introduce our Reproductive Health Squad, a group of contributing writers with expertise in all things reproductive health. This includes birth control, pregnancy, menstruation, menopause, sexual health, lactation, and abortion, among other topics. Don’t forget to submit your questions! Submit questions to our question box here! Link to original Those Read more…
March 10, 2023
March 10 is National Women and Girls HIV Awareness Day.
Reproductive Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
Some groups in this country do not know they are at risk of getting HIV. Knowing your risk is an important step in preventing infection. Here are the stats from 2019*: Although the overall number of new cases is going down, there is still work to be done. 36, 801 new diagnoses of HIV in Read more…
March 4, 2023
Ok, just what IS the difference between sex and gender?!
Reproductive Health
Alexandra Hall, MD
To answer this question we need to discuss three different things: Biological sex (body characteristics), Gender expression (how we communicate our gender to the world), and Gender identity (our sense of self). Biological sex refers to the different types of body parts (anatomy), chromosomes , and hormones present in a person. Typically, most folks are Read more…
March 2, 2023
Is The Morning-After pill still legal?
Reproductive Health
A. August Burns, MPH, PA, CM
Yes, the morning-after pill, also known as the Emergency Contraception pill, is still legal in all 50 states. The morning-after pill is contraception, not abortion. It works by delaying ovulation and will not harm a pregnancy. And your right to *contraception* was not changed by the Supreme Court decision that overturned the constitutional right to Read more…
February 27, 2023
We Need to Move the Needle on Black Reproductive Health. Like, Yesterday.
Reproductive Health Social and Racial Justice
MacKenzie (Kenzie) Isaac, MA
“Can’t wait to write a tell all about my experience during my last two trimesters dealing with incompetent doctors at Montefiore [Hospital].” On April 17, 2020, Amber Rose Isaac logged into her Twitter account and aired her grievances for the last time. Just four days later, she died of childbirth complications from a severely delayed Read more…
February 21, 2023
Happy National Condom Week!
Reproductive Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
“Wait, that’s a thing?” Yes, National Condom Week is celebrated every year from February 14-February 21. “Why, for goodness’ sake, do we need to celebrate this?” Well, condoms help prevent the spreading of sexually transmitted infections, and sadly in the US, many sexually transmitted infections are on the rise. So to honor National Condom Week Read more…
February 17, 2023
Isn’t boy vs. girl just a simple matter of different sex chromosomes (XX vs. XY) and body parts?
Reproductive Health
and Alexandra Hall, MD
A: Actually, humans come in a variety of X and Y chromosome combinations (not just XX and XY) and body parts (i.e., anatomy). TL; DR: Most people that have XX chromosomes develop what is considered “typical” female anatomy and most that have XY chromosomes develop “typical” male anatomy. But not always. Other sex chromosome combinations Read more…
February 14, 2023
Is emergency contraception the same as abortion?
Reproductive Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
TL, DR: No. Emergency contraception prevents pregnancy. It does not end a pregnancy. For a person who doesn’t want to be pregnant, it helps *prevent* the need for abortion. There are two types of emergency contraception, pills and IUDs (intrauterine devices). The hormonal pills that contain only the hormone levonorgestrel are available over the counter Read more…
February 8, 2023
What’s this I’ve been hearing about chemicals in period underwear? Are they safe?
Reproductive Health
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Don’t panic. It’s unlikely that Thinx or other period underwear pose a risk to your health, but there are still some unknowns. A recent U.S. class action lawsuit against Thinx claimed its advertisement that Thinx are “organic, sustainable, and nontoxic” was misleading. This news has understandably made a lot of people who use these products Read more…
February 7, 2023
Why do Those Nerdy Girls use phrases like “people with cervices” and “people who lactate” in your reproductive health posts? Why not just say “women”?
Health Policy Reproductive Health Social and Racial Justice
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
TL;DR: Our phrases include more people. When we exclude people by not naming them, they may lack access to critical information they need to make potentially life-saving decisions. We are science communicators. We take complicated scientific research and medical recommendations and try to make them easily digestible to our readers. As scientists, we must be Read more…
Ugh! We are right there with you! Perimenopause (the time before, during, and right after menopause) is a normal and expected process for ~50% of the human population. Nevertheless.The.Symptoms.Can.Stink. 🔥Studies show between 50-85% of us experience hot flashes during the late menopausal transition and early postmenopause. For most of us, these are mild to moderate. Read more…
Can COVID-19 cause erectile dysfunction (ED)?
Reproductive Health
Jennifer Beam Dowd, PhD
Signs point to yes. Previous small studies suggested a link between COVID-19 and ED, but we now have… firmer evidence. A large study using US insurance claims data compared men who were infected with COVID-19 between Jan 2020-Jan 2021 (so pre-vaccine) to men with similar characteristics without an infection. Men with a COVID-19 infection were Read more…
March 20, 2023
Re-introducing the Reproductive Health Squad!
Reproductive Health
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Those Nerdy Girls are thrilled to re-introduce our Reproductive Health Squad, a group of contributing writers with expertise in all things reproductive health. This includes birth control, pregnancy, menstruation, menopause, sexual health, lactation, and abortion, among other topics. Don’t forget to submit your questions! Submit questions to our question box here! Link to original Those Read more…
March 10, 2023
March 10 is National Women and Girls HIV Awareness Day.
Reproductive Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
Some groups in this country do not know they are at risk of getting HIV. Knowing your risk is an important step in preventing infection. Here are the stats from 2019*: Although the overall number of new cases is going down, there is still work to be done. 36, 801 new diagnoses of HIV in Read more…
March 4, 2023
Ok, just what IS the difference between sex and gender?!
Reproductive Health
Alexandra Hall, MD
To answer this question we need to discuss three different things: Biological sex (body characteristics), Gender expression (how we communicate our gender to the world), and Gender identity (our sense of self). Biological sex refers to the different types of body parts (anatomy), chromosomes , and hormones present in a person. Typically, most folks are Read more…
March 2, 2023
Is The Morning-After pill still legal?
Reproductive Health
A. August Burns, MPH, PA, CM
Yes, the morning-after pill, also known as the Emergency Contraception pill, is still legal in all 50 states. The morning-after pill is contraception, not abortion. It works by delaying ovulation and will not harm a pregnancy. And your right to *contraception* was not changed by the Supreme Court decision that overturned the constitutional right to Read more…
February 27, 2023
We Need to Move the Needle on Black Reproductive Health. Like, Yesterday.
Reproductive Health Social and Racial Justice
MacKenzie (Kenzie) Isaac, MA
“Can’t wait to write a tell all about my experience during my last two trimesters dealing with incompetent doctors at Montefiore [Hospital].” On April 17, 2020, Amber Rose Isaac logged into her Twitter account and aired her grievances for the last time. Just four days later, she died of childbirth complications from a severely delayed Read more…
February 21, 2023
Happy National Condom Week!
Reproductive Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
“Wait, that’s a thing?” Yes, National Condom Week is celebrated every year from February 14-February 21. “Why, for goodness’ sake, do we need to celebrate this?” Well, condoms help prevent the spreading of sexually transmitted infections, and sadly in the US, many sexually transmitted infections are on the rise. So to honor National Condom Week Read more…
February 17, 2023
Isn’t boy vs. girl just a simple matter of different sex chromosomes (XX vs. XY) and body parts?
Reproductive Health
and Alexandra Hall, MD
A: Actually, humans come in a variety of X and Y chromosome combinations (not just XX and XY) and body parts (i.e., anatomy). TL; DR: Most people that have XX chromosomes develop what is considered “typical” female anatomy and most that have XY chromosomes develop “typical” male anatomy. But not always. Other sex chromosome combinations Read more…
February 14, 2023
Is emergency contraception the same as abortion?
Reproductive Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
TL, DR: No. Emergency contraception prevents pregnancy. It does not end a pregnancy. For a person who doesn’t want to be pregnant, it helps *prevent* the need for abortion. There are two types of emergency contraception, pills and IUDs (intrauterine devices). The hormonal pills that contain only the hormone levonorgestrel are available over the counter Read more…
February 8, 2023
What’s this I’ve been hearing about chemicals in period underwear? Are they safe?
Reproductive Health
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Don’t panic. It’s unlikely that Thinx or other period underwear pose a risk to your health, but there are still some unknowns. A recent U.S. class action lawsuit against Thinx claimed its advertisement that Thinx are “organic, sustainable, and nontoxic” was misleading. This news has understandably made a lot of people who use these products Read more…
February 7, 2023
Why do Those Nerdy Girls use phrases like “people with cervices” and “people who lactate” in your reproductive health posts? Why not just say “women”?
Health Policy Reproductive Health Social and Racial Justice
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
TL;DR: Our phrases include more people. When we exclude people by not naming them, they may lack access to critical information they need to make potentially life-saving decisions. We are science communicators. We take complicated scientific research and medical recommendations and try to make them easily digestible to our readers. As scientists, we must be Read more…
Signs point to yes. Previous small studies suggested a link between COVID-19 and ED, but we now have… firmer evidence. A large study using US insurance claims data compared men who were infected with COVID-19 between Jan 2020-Jan 2021 (so pre-vaccine) to men with similar characteristics without an infection. Men with a COVID-19 infection were Read more…
Re-introducing the Reproductive Health Squad!
Reproductive Health
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Those Nerdy Girls are thrilled to re-introduce our Reproductive Health Squad, a group of contributing writers with expertise in all things reproductive health. This includes birth control, pregnancy, menstruation, menopause, sexual health, lactation, and abortion, among other topics. Don’t forget to submit your questions! Submit questions to our question box here! Link to original Those Read more…
March 10, 2023
March 10 is National Women and Girls HIV Awareness Day.
Reproductive Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
Some groups in this country do not know they are at risk of getting HIV. Knowing your risk is an important step in preventing infection. Here are the stats from 2019*: Although the overall number of new cases is going down, there is still work to be done. 36, 801 new diagnoses of HIV in Read more…
March 4, 2023
Ok, just what IS the difference between sex and gender?!
Reproductive Health
Alexandra Hall, MD
To answer this question we need to discuss three different things: Biological sex (body characteristics), Gender expression (how we communicate our gender to the world), and Gender identity (our sense of self). Biological sex refers to the different types of body parts (anatomy), chromosomes , and hormones present in a person. Typically, most folks are Read more…
March 2, 2023
Is The Morning-After pill still legal?
Reproductive Health
A. August Burns, MPH, PA, CM
Yes, the morning-after pill, also known as the Emergency Contraception pill, is still legal in all 50 states. The morning-after pill is contraception, not abortion. It works by delaying ovulation and will not harm a pregnancy. And your right to *contraception* was not changed by the Supreme Court decision that overturned the constitutional right to Read more…
February 27, 2023
We Need to Move the Needle on Black Reproductive Health. Like, Yesterday.
Reproductive Health Social and Racial Justice
MacKenzie (Kenzie) Isaac, MA
“Can’t wait to write a tell all about my experience during my last two trimesters dealing with incompetent doctors at Montefiore [Hospital].” On April 17, 2020, Amber Rose Isaac logged into her Twitter account and aired her grievances for the last time. Just four days later, she died of childbirth complications from a severely delayed Read more…
February 21, 2023
Happy National Condom Week!
Reproductive Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
“Wait, that’s a thing?” Yes, National Condom Week is celebrated every year from February 14-February 21. “Why, for goodness’ sake, do we need to celebrate this?” Well, condoms help prevent the spreading of sexually transmitted infections, and sadly in the US, many sexually transmitted infections are on the rise. So to honor National Condom Week Read more…
February 17, 2023
Isn’t boy vs. girl just a simple matter of different sex chromosomes (XX vs. XY) and body parts?
Reproductive Health
and Alexandra Hall, MD
A: Actually, humans come in a variety of X and Y chromosome combinations (not just XX and XY) and body parts (i.e., anatomy). TL; DR: Most people that have XX chromosomes develop what is considered “typical” female anatomy and most that have XY chromosomes develop “typical” male anatomy. But not always. Other sex chromosome combinations Read more…
February 14, 2023
Is emergency contraception the same as abortion?
Reproductive Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
TL, DR: No. Emergency contraception prevents pregnancy. It does not end a pregnancy. For a person who doesn’t want to be pregnant, it helps *prevent* the need for abortion. There are two types of emergency contraception, pills and IUDs (intrauterine devices). The hormonal pills that contain only the hormone levonorgestrel are available over the counter Read more…
February 8, 2023
What’s this I’ve been hearing about chemicals in period underwear? Are they safe?
Reproductive Health
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Don’t panic. It’s unlikely that Thinx or other period underwear pose a risk to your health, but there are still some unknowns. A recent U.S. class action lawsuit against Thinx claimed its advertisement that Thinx are “organic, sustainable, and nontoxic” was misleading. This news has understandably made a lot of people who use these products Read more…
February 7, 2023
Why do Those Nerdy Girls use phrases like “people with cervices” and “people who lactate” in your reproductive health posts? Why not just say “women”?
Health Policy Reproductive Health Social and Racial Justice
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
TL;DR: Our phrases include more people. When we exclude people by not naming them, they may lack access to critical information they need to make potentially life-saving decisions. We are science communicators. We take complicated scientific research and medical recommendations and try to make them easily digestible to our readers. As scientists, we must be Read more…
Those Nerdy Girls are thrilled to re-introduce our Reproductive Health Squad, a group of contributing writers with expertise in all things reproductive health. This includes birth control, pregnancy, menstruation, menopause, sexual health, lactation, and abortion, among other topics. Don’t forget to submit your questions! Submit questions to our question box here! Link to original Those Read more…
March 10 is National Women and Girls HIV Awareness Day.
Reproductive Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
Some groups in this country do not know they are at risk of getting HIV. Knowing your risk is an important step in preventing infection. Here are the stats from 2019*: Although the overall number of new cases is going down, there is still work to be done. 36, 801 new diagnoses of HIV in Read more…
March 4, 2023
Ok, just what IS the difference between sex and gender?!
Reproductive Health
Alexandra Hall, MD
To answer this question we need to discuss three different things: Biological sex (body characteristics), Gender expression (how we communicate our gender to the world), and Gender identity (our sense of self). Biological sex refers to the different types of body parts (anatomy), chromosomes , and hormones present in a person. Typically, most folks are Read more…
March 2, 2023
Is The Morning-After pill still legal?
Reproductive Health
A. August Burns, MPH, PA, CM
Yes, the morning-after pill, also known as the Emergency Contraception pill, is still legal in all 50 states. The morning-after pill is contraception, not abortion. It works by delaying ovulation and will not harm a pregnancy. And your right to *contraception* was not changed by the Supreme Court decision that overturned the constitutional right to Read more…
February 27, 2023
We Need to Move the Needle on Black Reproductive Health. Like, Yesterday.
Reproductive Health Social and Racial Justice
MacKenzie (Kenzie) Isaac, MA
“Can’t wait to write a tell all about my experience during my last two trimesters dealing with incompetent doctors at Montefiore [Hospital].” On April 17, 2020, Amber Rose Isaac logged into her Twitter account and aired her grievances for the last time. Just four days later, she died of childbirth complications from a severely delayed Read more…
February 21, 2023
Happy National Condom Week!
Reproductive Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
“Wait, that’s a thing?” Yes, National Condom Week is celebrated every year from February 14-February 21. “Why, for goodness’ sake, do we need to celebrate this?” Well, condoms help prevent the spreading of sexually transmitted infections, and sadly in the US, many sexually transmitted infections are on the rise. So to honor National Condom Week Read more…
February 17, 2023
Isn’t boy vs. girl just a simple matter of different sex chromosomes (XX vs. XY) and body parts?
Reproductive Health
and Alexandra Hall, MD
A: Actually, humans come in a variety of X and Y chromosome combinations (not just XX and XY) and body parts (i.e., anatomy). TL; DR: Most people that have XX chromosomes develop what is considered “typical” female anatomy and most that have XY chromosomes develop “typical” male anatomy. But not always. Other sex chromosome combinations Read more…
February 14, 2023
Is emergency contraception the same as abortion?
Reproductive Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
TL, DR: No. Emergency contraception prevents pregnancy. It does not end a pregnancy. For a person who doesn’t want to be pregnant, it helps *prevent* the need for abortion. There are two types of emergency contraception, pills and IUDs (intrauterine devices). The hormonal pills that contain only the hormone levonorgestrel are available over the counter Read more…
February 8, 2023
What’s this I’ve been hearing about chemicals in period underwear? Are they safe?
Reproductive Health
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Don’t panic. It’s unlikely that Thinx or other period underwear pose a risk to your health, but there are still some unknowns. A recent U.S. class action lawsuit against Thinx claimed its advertisement that Thinx are “organic, sustainable, and nontoxic” was misleading. This news has understandably made a lot of people who use these products Read more…
February 7, 2023
Why do Those Nerdy Girls use phrases like “people with cervices” and “people who lactate” in your reproductive health posts? Why not just say “women”?
Health Policy Reproductive Health Social and Racial Justice
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
TL;DR: Our phrases include more people. When we exclude people by not naming them, they may lack access to critical information they need to make potentially life-saving decisions. We are science communicators. We take complicated scientific research and medical recommendations and try to make them easily digestible to our readers. As scientists, we must be Read more…
Some groups in this country do not know they are at risk of getting HIV. Knowing your risk is an important step in preventing infection. Here are the stats from 2019*: Although the overall number of new cases is going down, there is still work to be done. 36, 801 new diagnoses of HIV in Read more…
Ok, just what IS the difference between sex and gender?!
Reproductive Health
Alexandra Hall, MD
To answer this question we need to discuss three different things: Biological sex (body characteristics), Gender expression (how we communicate our gender to the world), and Gender identity (our sense of self). Biological sex refers to the different types of body parts (anatomy), chromosomes , and hormones present in a person. Typically, most folks are Read more…
March 2, 2023
Is The Morning-After pill still legal?
Reproductive Health
A. August Burns, MPH, PA, CM
Yes, the morning-after pill, also known as the Emergency Contraception pill, is still legal in all 50 states. The morning-after pill is contraception, not abortion. It works by delaying ovulation and will not harm a pregnancy. And your right to *contraception* was not changed by the Supreme Court decision that overturned the constitutional right to Read more…
February 27, 2023
We Need to Move the Needle on Black Reproductive Health. Like, Yesterday.
Reproductive Health Social and Racial Justice
MacKenzie (Kenzie) Isaac, MA
“Can’t wait to write a tell all about my experience during my last two trimesters dealing with incompetent doctors at Montefiore [Hospital].” On April 17, 2020, Amber Rose Isaac logged into her Twitter account and aired her grievances for the last time. Just four days later, she died of childbirth complications from a severely delayed Read more…
February 21, 2023
Happy National Condom Week!
Reproductive Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
“Wait, that’s a thing?” Yes, National Condom Week is celebrated every year from February 14-February 21. “Why, for goodness’ sake, do we need to celebrate this?” Well, condoms help prevent the spreading of sexually transmitted infections, and sadly in the US, many sexually transmitted infections are on the rise. So to honor National Condom Week Read more…
February 17, 2023
Isn’t boy vs. girl just a simple matter of different sex chromosomes (XX vs. XY) and body parts?
Reproductive Health
and Alexandra Hall, MD
A: Actually, humans come in a variety of X and Y chromosome combinations (not just XX and XY) and body parts (i.e., anatomy). TL; DR: Most people that have XX chromosomes develop what is considered “typical” female anatomy and most that have XY chromosomes develop “typical” male anatomy. But not always. Other sex chromosome combinations Read more…
February 14, 2023
Is emergency contraception the same as abortion?
Reproductive Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
TL, DR: No. Emergency contraception prevents pregnancy. It does not end a pregnancy. For a person who doesn’t want to be pregnant, it helps *prevent* the need for abortion. There are two types of emergency contraception, pills and IUDs (intrauterine devices). The hormonal pills that contain only the hormone levonorgestrel are available over the counter Read more…
February 8, 2023
What’s this I’ve been hearing about chemicals in period underwear? Are they safe?
Reproductive Health
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Don’t panic. It’s unlikely that Thinx or other period underwear pose a risk to your health, but there are still some unknowns. A recent U.S. class action lawsuit against Thinx claimed its advertisement that Thinx are “organic, sustainable, and nontoxic” was misleading. This news has understandably made a lot of people who use these products Read more…
February 7, 2023
Why do Those Nerdy Girls use phrases like “people with cervices” and “people who lactate” in your reproductive health posts? Why not just say “women”?
Health Policy Reproductive Health Social and Racial Justice
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
TL;DR: Our phrases include more people. When we exclude people by not naming them, they may lack access to critical information they need to make potentially life-saving decisions. We are science communicators. We take complicated scientific research and medical recommendations and try to make them easily digestible to our readers. As scientists, we must be Read more…
To answer this question we need to discuss three different things: Biological sex (body characteristics), Gender expression (how we communicate our gender to the world), and Gender identity (our sense of self). Biological sex refers to the different types of body parts (anatomy), chromosomes , and hormones present in a person. Typically, most folks are Read more…
Is The Morning-After pill still legal?
Reproductive Health
A. August Burns, MPH, PA, CM
Yes, the morning-after pill, also known as the Emergency Contraception pill, is still legal in all 50 states. The morning-after pill is contraception, not abortion. It works by delaying ovulation and will not harm a pregnancy. And your right to *contraception* was not changed by the Supreme Court decision that overturned the constitutional right to Read more…
February 27, 2023
We Need to Move the Needle on Black Reproductive Health. Like, Yesterday.
Reproductive Health Social and Racial Justice
MacKenzie (Kenzie) Isaac, MA
“Can’t wait to write a tell all about my experience during my last two trimesters dealing with incompetent doctors at Montefiore [Hospital].” On April 17, 2020, Amber Rose Isaac logged into her Twitter account and aired her grievances for the last time. Just four days later, she died of childbirth complications from a severely delayed Read more…
February 21, 2023
Happy National Condom Week!
Reproductive Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
“Wait, that’s a thing?” Yes, National Condom Week is celebrated every year from February 14-February 21. “Why, for goodness’ sake, do we need to celebrate this?” Well, condoms help prevent the spreading of sexually transmitted infections, and sadly in the US, many sexually transmitted infections are on the rise. So to honor National Condom Week Read more…
February 17, 2023
Isn’t boy vs. girl just a simple matter of different sex chromosomes (XX vs. XY) and body parts?
Reproductive Health
and Alexandra Hall, MD
A: Actually, humans come in a variety of X and Y chromosome combinations (not just XX and XY) and body parts (i.e., anatomy). TL; DR: Most people that have XX chromosomes develop what is considered “typical” female anatomy and most that have XY chromosomes develop “typical” male anatomy. But not always. Other sex chromosome combinations Read more…
February 14, 2023
Is emergency contraception the same as abortion?
Reproductive Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
TL, DR: No. Emergency contraception prevents pregnancy. It does not end a pregnancy. For a person who doesn’t want to be pregnant, it helps *prevent* the need for abortion. There are two types of emergency contraception, pills and IUDs (intrauterine devices). The hormonal pills that contain only the hormone levonorgestrel are available over the counter Read more…
February 8, 2023
What’s this I’ve been hearing about chemicals in period underwear? Are they safe?
Reproductive Health
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Don’t panic. It’s unlikely that Thinx or other period underwear pose a risk to your health, but there are still some unknowns. A recent U.S. class action lawsuit against Thinx claimed its advertisement that Thinx are “organic, sustainable, and nontoxic” was misleading. This news has understandably made a lot of people who use these products Read more…
February 7, 2023
Why do Those Nerdy Girls use phrases like “people with cervices” and “people who lactate” in your reproductive health posts? Why not just say “women”?
Health Policy Reproductive Health Social and Racial Justice
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
TL;DR: Our phrases include more people. When we exclude people by not naming them, they may lack access to critical information they need to make potentially life-saving decisions. We are science communicators. We take complicated scientific research and medical recommendations and try to make them easily digestible to our readers. As scientists, we must be Read more…
Yes, the morning-after pill, also known as the Emergency Contraception pill, is still legal in all 50 states. The morning-after pill is contraception, not abortion. It works by delaying ovulation and will not harm a pregnancy. And your right to *contraception* was not changed by the Supreme Court decision that overturned the constitutional right to Read more…
We Need to Move the Needle on Black Reproductive Health. Like, Yesterday.
Reproductive Health Social and Racial Justice
MacKenzie (Kenzie) Isaac, MA
“Can’t wait to write a tell all about my experience during my last two trimesters dealing with incompetent doctors at Montefiore [Hospital].” On April 17, 2020, Amber Rose Isaac logged into her Twitter account and aired her grievances for the last time. Just four days later, she died of childbirth complications from a severely delayed Read more…
February 21, 2023
Happy National Condom Week!
Reproductive Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
“Wait, that’s a thing?” Yes, National Condom Week is celebrated every year from February 14-February 21. “Why, for goodness’ sake, do we need to celebrate this?” Well, condoms help prevent the spreading of sexually transmitted infections, and sadly in the US, many sexually transmitted infections are on the rise. So to honor National Condom Week Read more…
February 17, 2023
Isn’t boy vs. girl just a simple matter of different sex chromosomes (XX vs. XY) and body parts?
Reproductive Health
and Alexandra Hall, MD
A: Actually, humans come in a variety of X and Y chromosome combinations (not just XX and XY) and body parts (i.e., anatomy). TL; DR: Most people that have XX chromosomes develop what is considered “typical” female anatomy and most that have XY chromosomes develop “typical” male anatomy. But not always. Other sex chromosome combinations Read more…
February 14, 2023
Is emergency contraception the same as abortion?
Reproductive Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
TL, DR: No. Emergency contraception prevents pregnancy. It does not end a pregnancy. For a person who doesn’t want to be pregnant, it helps *prevent* the need for abortion. There are two types of emergency contraception, pills and IUDs (intrauterine devices). The hormonal pills that contain only the hormone levonorgestrel are available over the counter Read more…
February 8, 2023
What’s this I’ve been hearing about chemicals in period underwear? Are they safe?
Reproductive Health
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Don’t panic. It’s unlikely that Thinx or other period underwear pose a risk to your health, but there are still some unknowns. A recent U.S. class action lawsuit against Thinx claimed its advertisement that Thinx are “organic, sustainable, and nontoxic” was misleading. This news has understandably made a lot of people who use these products Read more…
February 7, 2023
Why do Those Nerdy Girls use phrases like “people with cervices” and “people who lactate” in your reproductive health posts? Why not just say “women”?
Health Policy Reproductive Health Social and Racial Justice
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
TL;DR: Our phrases include more people. When we exclude people by not naming them, they may lack access to critical information they need to make potentially life-saving decisions. We are science communicators. We take complicated scientific research and medical recommendations and try to make them easily digestible to our readers. As scientists, we must be Read more…
“Can’t wait to write a tell all about my experience during my last two trimesters dealing with incompetent doctors at Montefiore [Hospital].” On April 17, 2020, Amber Rose Isaac logged into her Twitter account and aired her grievances for the last time. Just four days later, she died of childbirth complications from a severely delayed Read more…
Happy National Condom Week!
Reproductive Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
“Wait, that’s a thing?” Yes, National Condom Week is celebrated every year from February 14-February 21. “Why, for goodness’ sake, do we need to celebrate this?” Well, condoms help prevent the spreading of sexually transmitted infections, and sadly in the US, many sexually transmitted infections are on the rise. So to honor National Condom Week Read more…
February 17, 2023
Isn’t boy vs. girl just a simple matter of different sex chromosomes (XX vs. XY) and body parts?
Reproductive Health
and Alexandra Hall, MD
“Wait, that’s a thing?” Yes, National Condom Week is celebrated every year from February 14-February 21. “Why, for goodness’ sake, do we need to celebrate this?” Well, condoms help prevent the spreading of sexually transmitted infections, and sadly in the US, many sexually transmitted infections are on the rise. So to honor National Condom Week Read more…
Isn’t boy vs. girl just a simple matter of different sex chromosomes (XX vs. XY) and body parts?
Reproductive Health and Alexandra Hall, MDA: Actually, humans come in a variety of X and Y chromosome combinations (not just XX and XY) and body parts (i.e., anatomy). TL; DR: Most people that have XX chromosomes develop what is considered “typical” female anatomy and most that have XY chromosomes develop “typical” male anatomy. But not always. Other sex chromosome combinations Read more…
Is emergency contraception the same as abortion?
Reproductive Health
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
TL, DR: No. Emergency contraception prevents pregnancy. It does not end a pregnancy. For a person who doesn’t want to be pregnant, it helps *prevent* the need for abortion. There are two types of emergency contraception, pills and IUDs (intrauterine devices). The hormonal pills that contain only the hormone levonorgestrel are available over the counter Read more…
February 8, 2023
What’s this I’ve been hearing about chemicals in period underwear? Are they safe?
Reproductive Health
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Don’t panic. It’s unlikely that Thinx or other period underwear pose a risk to your health, but there are still some unknowns. A recent U.S. class action lawsuit against Thinx claimed its advertisement that Thinx are “organic, sustainable, and nontoxic” was misleading. This news has understandably made a lot of people who use these products Read more…
February 7, 2023
Why do Those Nerdy Girls use phrases like “people with cervices” and “people who lactate” in your reproductive health posts? Why not just say “women”?
Health Policy Reproductive Health Social and Racial Justice
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
TL;DR: Our phrases include more people. When we exclude people by not naming them, they may lack access to critical information they need to make potentially life-saving decisions. We are science communicators. We take complicated scientific research and medical recommendations and try to make them easily digestible to our readers. As scientists, we must be Read more…
TL, DR: No. Emergency contraception prevents pregnancy. It does not end a pregnancy. For a person who doesn’t want to be pregnant, it helps *prevent* the need for abortion. There are two types of emergency contraception, pills and IUDs (intrauterine devices). The hormonal pills that contain only the hormone levonorgestrel are available over the counter Read more…
What’s this I’ve been hearing about chemicals in period underwear? Are they safe?
Reproductive Health
Sara Gorman, PhD, MPH
Don’t panic. It’s unlikely that Thinx or other period underwear pose a risk to your health, but there are still some unknowns. A recent U.S. class action lawsuit against Thinx claimed its advertisement that Thinx are “organic, sustainable, and nontoxic” was misleading. This news has understandably made a lot of people who use these products Read more…
February 7, 2023
Why do Those Nerdy Girls use phrases like “people with cervices” and “people who lactate” in your reproductive health posts? Why not just say “women”?
Health Policy Reproductive Health Social and Racial Justice
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
TL;DR: Our phrases include more people. When we exclude people by not naming them, they may lack access to critical information they need to make potentially life-saving decisions. We are science communicators. We take complicated scientific research and medical recommendations and try to make them easily digestible to our readers. As scientists, we must be Read more…
Don’t panic. It’s unlikely that Thinx or other period underwear pose a risk to your health, but there are still some unknowns. A recent U.S. class action lawsuit against Thinx claimed its advertisement that Thinx are “organic, sustainable, and nontoxic” was misleading. This news has understandably made a lot of people who use these products Read more…
Why do Those Nerdy Girls use phrases like “people with cervices” and “people who lactate” in your reproductive health posts? Why not just say “women”?
Health Policy Reproductive Health Social and Racial Justice
MK Haber, FNP-C, IBCLC
TL;DR: Our phrases include more people. When we exclude people by not naming them, they may lack access to critical information they need to make potentially life-saving decisions. We are science communicators. We take complicated scientific research and medical recommendations and try to make them easily digestible to our readers. As scientists, we must be Read more…
TL;DR: Our phrases include more people. When we exclude people by not naming them, they may lack access to critical information they need to make potentially life-saving decisions. We are science communicators. We take complicated scientific research and medical recommendations and try to make them easily digestible to our readers. As scientists, we must be Read more…