This article first appeared on The Online Citizen. As the Lion City’s only clinical sexologist with a doctorate in human sexuality, I have often been asked by journalists, friends, and complete strangers to share my thoughts about what I felt was my most bizarre/ interesting/ fulfilling case. I could become the next media darling or […]
This article first appeared on Good Vibrations Magazine. A free clinic offering sex education and advice for youths in Shanghai, China, which operated in the city for five years, has closed because it was not attracting enough visitors. Operated under the Shanghai International Peace Maternal and Child Health Hospital, the clinic was set up to […]
This article first appeared on The Online Citizen. I am a sexologist. Since I am the only one with this unique combination of qualification and training in Singapore, there exists a lot of confusion about what exactly a sexologist does within our little city/state. Not only that, I have my share of detractors who think I am a […]
This article first appeared on The Online Citizen. I was browsing through the October issue of an expat magazine recently when I chanced upon an article entitled, “Well-being and Sex”. Intrigued, I read the piece, only to come upon the sexual terms: ‘sexual transmitted diseases’, ‘impotence’ and ‘frigidity’. The author is obviously not a sexologist […]
How Does an IUD Prevent Pregnancy? The letters IUD stand for “intrauterine device.” IUDs are small, “T-shaped” devices made of flexible plastic. A health care provider inserts an IUD into a woman’s uterus to prevent pregnancy. There are two brands of IUD available in the United States. For more, click here. What Is Spermicide? Spermicide […]
What Is the Birth Control Patch? The birth control patch is a thin, beige, plastic patch that sticks to the skin. It is used to prevent pregnancy. A new patch is placed on the skin once a week for three weeks in a row, followed by a patch-free week. The birth control patch is commonly […]
The Female Condom The female condom is a plastic pouch that is used during intercourse to prevent pregnancy and reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases. It has flexible rings at each end. Just before vaginal intercourse, it is inserted deep into the vagina. The ring at the closed end holds the pouch in the […]
Birth Control Pills Birth control pills are a kind of medication that women can take daily to prevent pregnancy. They are also sometimes called the pill or oral contraception. Birth control pills are made of hormones. Hormones are chemicals made in our bodies. They control how different parts of our bodies work. The hormones in […]
This piece first appeared on The Online Citizen. I talked about the role of open- and closed-ended questions to get feedback from our partner after a sexual experience. You might begin asking for sexual feedback by using a few open-ended questions. If your partner is not forthcoming, or you wish to get clearer answers, you […]
Are you an Askable Parent? Or a concerned caregiver? What does that mean? To be askable is to be perceived as approachable and open to questions by young people. They trust and respect what you have to say. Being askable about sexuality is something that most parents and caregivers want but that many find very […]
How Do Fertility Awareness-Based Methods Prevent Pregnancy? Fertility awareness-based methods (FAMs) are ways to track ovulation — the release of an egg — in order to prevent pregnancy. Some people call FAMs “natural family planning.” For more, click here. How Is Breastfeeding Used as Birth Control? Breastfeeding can be used as birth control when, after […]
This letter appeared at Straits Times forum on Mon 23 Aug. I REFER to Saturday’s special report, ‘Sex education: Too little, too late, and too vague?’ In recent weeks, there were media reports about more girls reaching puberty early – from the United States and Britain to Singapore. What this means is that our young […]