Author: Grayson Schultz

Off to HealtheVoices 2017

Posted on by Grayson Schultz

I’m heading to Chicago for the weekend for HealtheVoices 2017!

Chicago is one of my favorite places, so I’m excited to spend some time there with some of my favorite health activists in the entire world. It will also be great to see many of my Joint Decisions friends for the first time since our October summit.

Since I’m at the end of my master’s capstone writing, I may not get a recap up as quickly as I did last year. Still, I’m excited to be able to share things I learn with everyone else via the interwebs.

PS: Janssen is paying my travel expenses for this conference. All thoughts and opinions expressed here or on social media are my own and do not reflect the thoughts or opinions of Janssen or Johnson and Johnson. 

#DearSurvivor Chat

Posted on by Grayson Schultz

It’s Sexual Assault Awareness Month. I haven’t posted much about it because I don’t know what to say. I’m a survivor myself and, sometimes, it’s hard to provide emotional support and love through those things.

I tend to share about my abuse over on Medium instead of here. If you’re interested, here’s more information about my personal journey:

My friends over at HEART Women & Girls wanted to do something to support survivors like me.

On Wednesday, April 19th at 1 pm Eastern, join HEART in using the tag #DearSurvivor on Twitter. You can share messages of support and love for survivors across social media.

I know I’ll be thinking of things I wish I had been told.

My 2016 #MedX Talk

Posted on by Grayson Schultz

Back in September, I was at Stanford University as a part of Medicine X (or MedX). I gave a talk about Chronic Sex (DUH) – how it came about and some preliminary research I did via Survey Monkey.

Guess what? It’s up on the YouTubes now!

This is reminding me that it would be great to re-dye my hair purple again.

The Power of Orgasm

Posted on by Grayson Schultz

Having an orgasm is awesome. I think it’s safe to say that we take them for granted, though.

They’re pretty amazing when you think about it – these little rapid muscular movements, almost spasm-like, that bring about the release of all sorts of chemicals in our bodies.

Before we get into the benefits of orgasm, let’s talk real quick:

It’s important to remember that anorgasmia is a very real condition that does prevent people reaching orgasm. It can affect all genders. There are all sorts of other conditions that can make it difficult to reach orgasm. I always suggest talking to doctors in these kinds of situations.

Additionally, up to 70% of vagina owners often cannot orgasm through vaginal stimulation alone and need some sort of clitoral activity. Keep that in mind because not everyone orgasms the same way.

Five Awesome Benefits to Orgasm

Stress relief

When you orgasm, your body releases more oxytocin. This brings stress levels down and helps you relax. It also can help increase that loving feeling between partners.

(Oxytocin, by the way, is also one of the medications utilized to induce labor in pregnant people! It naturally helps with contractions but also that post-birth bonding.)

Sleep

This isn’t true for everyone, but orgasms can help with sleep issues, helping us to fall asleep more quickly.

Heart and brain health

With all those hormones being released, this can have a positive effect on your health! Some of these hormones, like DHEA, are supposed to help boost brain function and improve heart health.

Deep breaths

Sexual activity increases better breathing habits. I also breathe better post-orgasm and don’t need to rely on my inhaler as much.

Pain relief

Oh yes, this is my favorite part of orgasms – they can help to relieve pain! This is due to the body releasing oxytocin and other yummy happy feels.

Those whole post actually came about because I had a migraine starting. Instead of hiding like I might have done in the past, I took an extra non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, popped on my Axon Optics, enjoyed two orgasms, and took in a lot of caffeine.

Two hours later and I’ve avoided a full migraine.

Yay orgasms!

 

Chat Questions: March 30, 2017

Posted on by Grayson Schultz

Please remember that our chat time is currently:

  • 8 PM Eastern (NYC)
  • 7 PM Central (Chicago)
  • 6 PM Mountain (Denver)
  • 5 PM Pacific (Los Angeles)

You are alway welcome to join in after the chat has ended – plenty of people do!

Tonight, we’re going to talk about different forms of self-care.

Q1: Please introduce yourself in a way you’re comfortable sharing
Q2: What are some things that you do to relieve stress?
Q3: Do you feel like you get enough ‘you’ time?
Q4: Do you ever spend alone time working on self-compassion or positive affirmations?
Q5: Do you consider masturbation a part of self-care? Why or why not
Q6: What is the thing you’ve laughed at the hardest recently?

Remember to join us on Twitter using the tag #chronicsex to take part in the conversation. If you don’t use the tag, others can’t see your answers! You’re always welcome to join after the chat has ended as well – we have plenty of people who do this because of life getting in the way.

Urgent Research Opportunity on Sexual Education

Urgent Research Opportunity on Sexual Education with Disabilities

Posted on by Grayson Schultz

URGENT!

One of my pals Sarah is currently working on her dissertation at the University of Cambridge. She put together a great study centered on sexual education for people with disabilities in the UK. Unfortunately, a ton of people haven’t responded and, with a deadline already gone by, she’s without data.

But, guess what? YOU CAN HELP!

For more information on the study, please click here. Note that originally Sarah was limiting her research to the UK. However, due to a lack of responses, you can respond regardless of where you live or were educated.

If you can help, please download this Word document and email it to Sarah.

Chat Questions: March 23, 2017

Posted on by Grayson Schultz

Please remember that our chat time has been pushed back an hour to:

  • 8 PM Eastern (NYC)
  • 7 PM Central (Chicago)
  • 6 PM Mountain (Denver)
  • 5 PM Pacific (Los Angeles)

Tonight, we are talking about dealing with high-pain days:

Q1: Please introduce yourself in a way you’re comfortable sharing

Tonight, we’re chatting about dealing with high-pain days.

Q2: What are some of the hardest things for you to do on a high pain day?

Q3: Does it seem like high pain days get in the way of interpersonal communication?

As we talk, be mindful of laws around pain-relieving medications and treatments. Don’t get in trouble.

Q4: Do you feel like your pain is currently being controlled well by your healthcare team?

Q5: What kinds of things have you explored outside of medication to help with pain?

Q6: What shows or movies or music help distract you from pain?

Remember to join us on Twitter using the tag #chronicsex to take part in the conversation. If you don’t use the tag, others can’t see your answers! You’re always welcome to join after the chat has ended as well – we have plenty of people who do this because of life getting in the way.

Research Opportunity: Poll on HRT and Top/Bottom Surgery

Research Opportunity: Poll on HRT and Top/Bottom Surgery

Posted on by Grayson Schultz

Charlie, one of my favorite people ever, is currently running a poll on HRT and top/bottom surgery for an upcoming presentation.

The following is from Charlie:

This is a two part poll for those who have experience trying to access hormones and or top/bottom surgery. The purpose of the poll is to collect some quick community data for my MedX Ed presentation on the informed consent vs World Professional Association of Transgender Health (WPATH) standards of care, and it will remain open until Thursday (24th). Please feel free to share amongst your networks so that as much of the trans community’s experience can be represented as possible. I also encourage you to respond to the poll with your comments, thoughts, and concerns about the standards/models so that they can be reflected in the talk/Q&A portion.

You can find the poll on Charlie’s Twitter. Part 1 on HRT is here and part 2 on top/bottom surgery is here.