Articles

Sexual wellbeing is part of overall wellbeing. It is not a luxury or frivolous. And the fact that it is routinely left out of medication counseling, left somewhere in the fine print, in that tiny font nobody actually reads, is really a failure of care.

If your desire has shifted, your arousal has changed, your body isn’t responding the way it used to, or intimacy has become uncomfortable, or emotionally flat since starting a medication, you are not imagining it. And the odds are good that nobody told you this might happen!

Research confirms that medications play a significant and frequently underacknowledged role in sexual function, and understanding the mechanisms by which they affect sexual health is essential for improving quality of life. Yet fewer than a quarter of patients are ever proactively asked about sexual side effects by their prescribing provider.

This post is the start of that conversation you should have been offered. We’re going to cover a wide range of medications, prescription and over-the-counter, looking at what they are, why they affect sexual wellbeing physiologically, and what can actually be done about it. We’ll cover everything from the commonly discussed (SSRIs, beta blockers) to the ones that almost never come up in these conversations (antihistamines, proton pump inhibitors, hair loss medications, and more).

If you have ever felt pain during intimacy, or because of intimacy, or in anticipation of it, and been told it’s “normal,” been told to drink a glass of wine to relax, been dismissed, misdiagnosed, or sent home without answers, this post is for you. Pelvic pain is one of the most prevalent and most […]

When was the last time you walked away from a conversation with your partner thinking, “That went really well”? Not just no one cried, actually, well? Like, you both felt heard and you ended closer than you started? If that kind of conversation feels more like a lucky accident than something you can reliably create, you just haven’t been given the tools.

Intimacy and autism don’t have to be at odds. This inclusive, evidence-based guide for Autistic adults and their partners covers sensory needs, communication, masking, and practical ways to build deeper connection, written by a disability justice-affirming sex and relationship practitioner.

Sometimes the most intimate moments in your relationship are the smalliest: the familiar weight of a partner’s hand resting in your own, a kiss goodnight, or the grounding touch on the small of your back as you move past each other in the kitchen.

In our culture, conversations about long-term relationships often get tangled up in a narrow definition of sex. Many of us grew up believing that sexual frequency is the ultimate barometer of relationship health. We’re taught that if desire wanes or the mechanics of sex change, the relationship is doomed!

But as a professional, I’ve seen firsthand that true intimacy runs far deeper than physical acts. Reimagining connection In long-term relationships and sexless marriages is definitely possible! Especially during seasons of high stress, health challenges, or major life transitions like parenthood, couples often find themselves seeking new ways to stay tethered to one another.

The good news? Intimacy is not a single act; it is a practice. It is woven into the fabric of everyday life through touch, presence, and understanding. By expanding our definition of “closeness,” we can build long-term relationships that are not just resilient but deeply satisfying, regardless of what is happening in the bedroom.

When we think about aging, the cultural narrative often focuses on retirement planning, physical health maintenance, and spending time with grandchildren. Conspicuously absent from mainstream conversations is the topic of sexual health and intimacy in our later years!

The pervasive myth of the “asexual senior” does a massive disservice to older adults, particularly those navigating the complexities of changing bodies. The reality is that intimacy, desire, and sexual connection do not have an expiration date. However, they do evolve.

Are you and your partner feeling more like roommates than lovers lately? If the “honeymoon phase” feels like a distant memory, you aren’t alone. Between work, kids, and the general exhaustion of modern life, intimacy and closeness often take a backseat to the never-ending “to-do” list. Here are a few intimacy & relationship hacks for a more passionate, closer love life!

If you’re Googling “how do I communicate with my Autistic partner?” there’s a solid chance you’re dealing with conflict, misunderstandings, or constantly being on a different book rather than the same page. A lot of relationship advice is written for neurotypical communication styles, fast processing, subtext, flexible attention, easy tone-reading, and quick emotional regulation. If […]

If you live with ME/CFS, Long COVID, or a similar chronic illness, you already know your illness’s cruel little plot twist: the things that help you feel connected (touch, closeness, pleasure, date nights) can also be the things that tip your body into post-exertional malaise (PEM) or added fatigue. And when PEM becomes a risk, intimacy can start to feel like a gamble. You might avoid it entirely (“not worth it”), or push through and pay for it later. This blog post is here to offer a third option: low-energy intimacy ideas. This is connection and pleasure that respects your body’s limits.

Healthy communication is really tough in relationships. It can be especially tough when neurodivergence enters the picture because our brains may process language, tone, sensory input, time, and emotions differently. Add masking, burnout, rejection sensitivity, demand avoidance, time-blindness, literalness, trauma histories, chronic stress, or just plain overstimulation, and suddenly a “simple conversation” turns into something much bigger! If you’re an autistic, ADHD, or other neurodivergence couple (or one of you is neurodivergent and one of you isn’t), these tips for healthy communication for neurodivergent couples are built for you!

Living with chronic illnesses like ME/CFS (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) or Long COVID can turn everyday activities into potential fatigue-inducing minefields, even activities that are supposed to be enjoyable and relaxing, like sex. One of the hallmark symptoms these conditions share is post-exertional malaise (PEM). If you’ve ever felt like you “paid” for an activity with a massive crash afterward, PEM is likely to blame. In this blog, what is post-exertional malaise (PEM) and why does sex trigger it?

Most of us were never taught how to communicate in a healthy way, yet we’re supposed to be amazing at conflict, boundaries, and healthy communication with…zero training. If you ever leave a conversation thinking, “How did I end up here?” or “What just happened?” This blog post is for you.

Society has taught us that intimacy equals intercourse and penetration. The thing is, there will probably come a time that this sexual script will no longer serve you. So let’s redefine intimacy!

What does accessibility in relationships actually mean when one or more partners is disabled, chronically ill, or neurodivergent?

Sex and Intimacy With ME/CFS can be challenging. When chronic fatigue syndrome enters the picture, intimacy might feel off the table. But, there are ways to work around this condition.

If you’re chronically ill, disabled, and/or neurodivergent, January messaging about ‘spicing things up’ or setting relationship goals can feel alienating or impossible. Here’s what to do instead.

Sex and Intimacy After Cancer: Reconnecting With Your Body and Relationships Cancer is a life-altering, body-mind-altering, and relationship altering journey. When we’re healing and recovering from cancer, we might not even think about our sex lives, intimacy, and relationship. Other times, it’s in the forefront of our minds. Here are some tips for having sex […]

What is compersion? And how does that relate to the LGBT+ community? Check out my feature in Yahoo to learn more!

I am so honoured to be featured in ANV.com along with the CrashPadSeries.com. Check out the article here: https://avn.com/news/video/crashpadseries-com-collabs-with-educator-byrd-for-me-cfs-course-179493

Big News: My Latest Article is Featured on KevinMD.Com! Learn About Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Long Covid, and Sexuality I’m thrilled to share that my latest article, Navigating sex and intimacy with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Long COVID, is now live on KevinMD.com This piece dives into some of my key tips on navigating sex and […]

Sex and Intimacy with hEDS: Embracing Connection with Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Living with hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (hEDS) presents unique challenges that extend beyond daily activities—into the realms of sex and intimacy. When your body feels unpredictable, managing discomfort, fatigue, and joint instability, the idea of physical closeness might feel daunting. But intimacy and pleasure are […]

Living with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) means waking up every day in a body that doesn’t recharge. Fatigue doesn’t fade. Conversations can feel like marathons. Showering might take your whole energy budget or be impossible. And when it comes to sex and relationships? Things get complicated, too, physically, emotionally, logistically. As someone who has […]

Do you struggle with low libido? Is your partner or are your partner[s] constantly initiating sex that you don’t want? Then, you may be struggling with low libido. The following are my top five tips for when you’re struggling with low libido.  Tip 1: Manage your stress and anxiety. Stress and anxiety are huge triggers […]