A double-blind randomized control trial by Chinese researchers at the hospital of Xinjiang Medical University has shown the effectiveness of trans-cranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the dorsolateral pre-frontal cortex for improving female sexual arousal in response to erotic stimuli, and increasing sexual desire at least short-term. TMS is a medical treatment that uses magnetic pulses […]
DOJ Demands Transgender Patient Info from Several Medical Providers
In an unprecedented move, the Trump administration filed subpoenas in June on normally confidential patient data from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and nearly 20 other physicians or clinics that provide gender transition services. This action was justified by Attorney General Pam Bondi as necessary for the investigation of “healthcare fraud.” The information included names, […]
Detransitioners Are Not a Monolith
Critics of gender-affirming care often point to the growing number of “detransitioners” to support arguments against providing it to minors. Estimates of the number who detransition vary widely and its prevalence may ultimately be unknowable, since detransitioners may break off contact with their former medical providers. York University social work professor (and trans powerlifter) Kinnon […]
Politics continues to interfere with vaccine research
The world’s first gonorrhoea vaccine program was just rolled out in the United Kingdom. Gonorrhea, which is both preventable and treatable, is mostly transmitted through vaginal, oral or anal sex. According to the World Health Organization, in 2020 there were an estimated 82.4 million new infections among adults globally. Aside from increasing the risk of […]
Brazil Stalls Youth Gender Transition Services + Judith Butler’s Latest Treatise
Moves to limit minors’ access to medicalized gender transition are not unique to the U.S. and Europe. Under political pressure and tied up in litigation, even Brazil’s leftist government has announced it is rescinding an earlier proposal to lower the age at which hormones can be obtained from 18 to 16 and the age for […]
Cuba Eases Process for Trans People to Change ID
Once known as one of the most homophobic countries in Latin America, Cuba continues to liberalize. Its parliament voted on July 18 to make it easier for trans people to change the gender marker on their ID without having undergone surgery. Gender-transition surgery has nominally been available in Cuba for free since 2008, but dissidents […]
1 out of 5 people born with a uterus will have it removed
Get It Out: On the Politics of Hysterectomy by medical sociologist Andréa Becker is out this month through New York University Press. Although hysterectomies are common worldwide procedures, they are not a mainstay topic of public discourse. Considering the droves of subjects that are affected by hysterectomies, they should be! This important project explores the […]
Let’s celebrate the life of Andrea Gibson, Colorado’s queer poet laureate
It’s not really Hard Copy’s style to announce a death as news but Andrea Gibson was a phenomenal fuckin’ burst of light on this planet and we’d like to take the opportunity to make you aware of them and their work if you’re not already a fan. As an activist and poet – as well […]
Have you heard of seminal plasma hypersensitivity?
An underdiagnosed sperm allergy is gaining more visibility. In fact, this is not an allergy to sperm itself, but to the proteins in the seminal plasma that carries the sperm. A 2024 study suggests that this allergy is more common than previously believed, partly because it often goes misdiagnosed. This condition does not solely affect women. […]
If you find a 200-year-old condom you probably shouldn’t use it…
An exhibition called “Safe Sex?” about 19th century sex work opened recently at the Netherlands’ national museum. A nearly 200-year-old condom that is adorned with erotic art is one of the fascinating objects that is on display. If you need a break from the onslaught of heavy and depressing sex news as of late, be […]