Medically reviewed by Sophia Yen, MD, MPH – Written by Pandia Health Editorial Team

Happy sex positivity month! For the month of August, Pandia Health is celebrating and helping people understand what sex positivity means, how you can be more sex positive, and ways to embrace your sexuality and sexual preferences. Sex positivity is about encouraging comprehensive sex-ed, understanding your sexual desires, and respecting others’ preferences. 

Feeling secure with your identity and body image can be challenging and time-consuming. Representation of various genders, sexual orientations, lifestyles, and more in the media can help people feel that they are not alone. Whether it be an animated television show that explores puberty or a podcast on queer sex, REPRESENTATION MATTERS! 

Here are some books, movies, shows, and podcasts to educate yourself on in order to feel more empowered as a sex positive individual!

Books

The Hormone Diaries by Hannah Witton

Hannah Witton is a YouTuber who discusses all things relating to sexual health and relationships. Witton began documenting her experience coming off of the birth control pill and getting her period again. Periods are notorious for getting in the way of everyday activities, and women are expected to live with it. Witton talks about PCOS, pimples, and hot packs in a perfectly candid way in The Hormone Diaries. Through this book and her YouTube channel, Witton creates a safe space surrounding period talk.

The Ethical Slut: A Practical Guide to Polyamory, Open Relationships & Other Adventures by Dossie Easton and Janet E. Hardy

Non-monogamous relationships are OK. In some ways, polygamy has become mainstream as millennials embrace the idea of it. Love, sex, and companionship are Easton and Hardy’s specialty. In The Ethical Slut, the duo dives into the infinite possibilities of open relationships and the various facets of polygamy. Millennials and Gen-Z’ers are typically more accepting of this ideology as it becomes less novel and more normalized. The Ethical Slut helps you learn how to honor boundaries, navigate relationships, and much more.

Doing It by Hannah Witton

In Doing It, another fantastic book by Witton, she dives into masturbation, porn, relationships (familial, casual, romantic, etc.), safe sex, and puberty. People typically shy away from these topics due to their stigmatization yet Witton has no shame in openly discussing them – she wants teens to know their feelings and body changes are normal. People are often afraid of asking questions that can be dinner table conversation. By talking about the nitty-gritty of sex, Witton helps educate individuals about the questions they are too afraid to ask – like what having safe sex really means.

Movies and TV Shows

Call Me by Your Name

Timothée Chalamet. What more can you ask for? 

Call Me by Your Name, an award-winning film, is an excellent example of identity struggle. Elio, played by Chalamet, is seen in the movie with his lady friend but is conflicted and confused by his detachment from her. His father’s intern, Oliver, who has come to stay for the summer, captivates Elio, and the two end up falling in love. While Elio has a strong sexual desire for Oliver, Elio does not understand his feelings and wrestles back and forth throughout the whole film with his identity and acceptance of himself. Overall, this movie genuinely captures internal identity struggle in a unique and inclusive way.

Big Mouth

Cartoon vulvas and condoms galore! While this comedy starring Nick Kroll is best described as outrageous, the topics highlighted throughout the three seasons currently released hit the nail on the head. Whether it be an over-the-top episode about how men are not the only ones who get horny or showcasing how a teen’s family falls apart after her mother starts dating a woman following a divorce with her father, Big Mouth brings it all to life. The episodes are filled with chaos and humor, but at their core, they teach valuable lessons about puberty, relationships, and growing up. 

Audio Experiences

We’re Having Gay Sex Podcast

Ashely Gavin saw a gap in the conversation about sex – no one talked about it from a queer person’s perspective. Gavin interviews individuals from all across the gender and sexuality spectrums about their sex lives. From conversing with lesbian porn stars to talking with a guest about the nightmare of getting fingered by a woman with acrylics, Gavin is #nofilter to the max. 

femtasy

Female sexuality is the driving factor for femtasy. With the largest selection of erotic and sensual audio stories on the web, femtasy prioritizes bringing your erotic fantasies to life. Different voices (all genders), varying levels of “intensity,” a wide range of categories (i.e., girl on girl, oral, foreplay, etc.), and story plots allow you to personalize your erotic audio experience. 

Pandia Health is collaborating with femtasy to help make your pleasure a priority. For a free month of femtasy’s services, use code “PandiaHealth” on their website. For $5 off a doctor consultation with Pandia Health, use code “femtasy”. 

Pandia Health Has Your Back

Sex positivity cannot be discussed without acknowledging safe sex and women’s health. If you want to avoid an unplanned pregnancy, birth control is your friend. Birth control can also make your #PeriodsOptional, a significant plus (period stained underwear be gone!). 

Pandia Health delivers the birth control pill, patch, or ring to your door so long as you have access to the internet and a mailbox! If you need a prescription for one of these methods, one of our doctors can write you one if you live in AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, MI, NV, TX, TN, PA, WA, and WY. If you already have a prescription, we deliver to all 50 states. Get started through our website, and we’ll take care of the rest. 

As always, Pandia Health is also here for you as a resource. Please check out our blog, YouTube channel, and Facebook page for more fantastic content. We are also now on TikTok, so give us a follow there! 

Please stay safe and continue to kick-ass as the empowered, sex-positive person that you are!

 

Disclaimer: The above information is for general informational purposes only and is NOT a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor/primary care provider before starting or changing treatment.