Table Of ContentPraise for S.E.X.
“S.E.X. is, literally, a lifesaving book: Corinna’s vast commonsense wisdom—especially
on topics relating to gender roles, queer sexuality, and gender identities—has the potential to
improve the physical and emotional health of anyone who reads it, and to help heal our
culture’s unhealthy, conflicted approaches to sex, sexuality, and gender.”
—Lisa Jervis, cofounder, Bitch
“Sexpert Heather Corinna is the big sis you wish you’d had when you were a confused,
pimply teen. . . . Geared towards 16–22-year-olds of any gender, S.E.X. covers the nuts and
bolts of anatomy in a tone that’s conversational, not cutesy . . . it’s her holistic approach and
deft handling of other heavy topics, from eating disorders to abuse, that make this book a must-
read.”
—BUST
“If you’re a parent looking for an accurate and non-judgmental text for your blossoming
adolescent, or a blossoming adolescent or twenty-something yourself, here it is.”
—Toronto Star
“S.E.X. is a positive and informative all-embracing guide to sexuality by a dedicated
author. Heather Corinna challenges adolescents and young adults alike to be proactive in
owning their sexuality by being true to themselves, all the while laying the foundation of
knowledge and acceptance—key factors for the development of a healthy sexuality.”
—DR. LYNN PONTON, author of The Sex Lives of Teenagers and The Romance of Risk
Many of the designations used by manufacturers and sellers to distinguish their products are claimed as
trademarks. Where those designations appear in this book and Da Capo Press was aware of a trademark
claim, the designations have been printed in initial capital letters.
Copyright © 2016 by Heather Corinna Illustrations by Isabella Rotman All rights reserved. No part of this
publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means,
electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the
publisher. Printed in the United States of America. For information, address Da Capo Press, 44 Farnsworth
Street, 3rd Floor, Boston, MA 02210.
Designed by Jill Shaffer
Set in 11 point Bembo and 9.5 point Helvetica Neue LT by Eclipse Publishing Services Cataloging-in-
Publication data for this book is available from the Library of Congress.
ISBN: 978-0-7382-1885-4 (ebook) Second Da Capo Press edition 2016
Published by Da Capo Press, an imprint of Perseus Books, a division PBG Publishing, LLC, a subsidiary of
Hachette Book Group, Inc.
www.dacapopress.com
Note: The information in this book is true and complete to the best of our knowledge. This book is intended
only as an informative guide for those wishing to know more about health issues. In no way is this book
intended to replace, countermand, or conflict with the advice given to you by your own physician. The
ultimate decision concerning care should be made between you and your doctor. We strongly recommend
you follow his or her advice. Information in this book is general and is offered with no guarantees on the
part of the authors or Da Capo Press. The authors and publisher disclaim all liability in connection with the
use of this book.
Da Capo Press books are available at special discounts for bulk purchases in the U.S. by corporations,
institutions, and other organizations. For more information, please contact the Special Markets Department
at 2300 Chestnut Street, Suite 200, Philadelphia, PA, 19103, or call (800) 810-4145, ext. 5000, or e-mail
[email protected].
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
For young people: At Scarleteen, at the Spruce Street Inn Secure
Crisis Residential Center, all the way back to the little preschool I
ran in Rogers Park in the mid-1990s, and in many other settings
and interactions, I have learned so much about not just this work
but about life, love, and living itself from young people. My life
has been more rich, meaningful, and unique for all of your places
and parts in it than it ever could have been without all of you:
thank you. I hope this book gives you back at least as much as all
you’ve given me.
For the Liams: Before you know it, it’ll be time in your lives for a
book like this one. When it is, I hope you like it and only go
“Eew!” as many times as it’s fun. Know that you can talk with
your Aunt Heather about any of this stuff anytime: I promise to
only be as silly about any of it as you are.
Contents
Thank You
Foreword
Judy Norsigian and Wendy Sanford, cofounders, The Boston Women’s
Health Collective, and coauthors of Our Bodies, Ourselves
Who’s This Book for, Anyway?
A Foreword for Parents, Teachers, Mentors, and Other People Who Care
About Teens and Emerging Adults
1
I Pledge Allegiance . . . to Myself and the United State of My Sexuality:
An Introduction for Readers
2
Your Sexuality and Your Body: An Owner’s Manual
What Is “Sexuality”?
What Can Be Part of Sexuality?
Circles of Sexuality
Let’s Talk About Sex
Mega-Metamorphosis: Puberty
Braaaaaaaaiiiiinnns
Tingly Bits
Reproductive and Sexual Anatomy: What’s Up Down There?
Every Body’s Got One
You’ve Got Some Nerve!
The Vulva, Vagina, and Uterus: From the Outside In
Clit Lit
Life on the Inside
The Menstrual Cycle. Period.
Where Can Aunt Flo Go? Menses Management
When the Rag’s a Drag
Breast Basics
The Penis and Testes: From the Outside In
The Foreskin (or Not)
Life on the Inside
Vasocongestion (aka Blue Balls)
Too Loose/Too Tight! Too Long/Too Short! Too Large/Too Small! Or, What
Goldilocks and the Three Bears Have to Do with Your Genitals
What’s “Normal” Down There?
3
The Problem with Perfect: Body Image: Or, Why Appearance Isn’t All It
Appears
Body Image
Ten Bodacious Ways to Boost Body Image
Disordered Eating and Eating Disorders
Don’t Make a Mate a Mirror
Who’s at Risk of Disordered Eating, Body Image, or Self-Image Problems?
The Ideal Spiel
Whole Body/Whole Sexy
Viva la Revolución!
4
Sex Starts with You: Arousal, Orgasm, Masturbation, and Fantasy
Arousal and Orgasm: Human Sexual Response Coming and Going
The Basics of Sexual Response
Sexual Desire
Arousal
Plateau
Orgasm
Resolution
Ejaculation
How Do You Tell If You’ve Had an Orgasm? What If You Just Can’t Have
One, Ever?
Buzzkills
Masturbation: A Sexual Solo
False and True
How Do You Masturbate?
Keeping It Safe
But Only Losers Masturbate!
How Much Is Too Much?
Fantasy Fodder: Sexual Fantasy
Which Fantasies Are Okay, and Which Aren’t?
And Your First Sex Partner Is . . .?
5
So Much More Than Either/Or: Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation
Genderpalooza! A Sex and Gender Primer
Beyond the Binary
Trans-lation
Transition
Gender Confirmation Surgery
Transphobia, Discrimination, and Bias
Gendermending
How to Be Transfriendly and Subvert Crummy Gender and Orientation
Stereotypes in Five Easy Steps!
The Rainbow Connection: The Spectrum of Sexual Orientation
What Do All These Words Mean?
