💡 Birth control means power to shape your future. On #WorldContraceptionDay, check out @bedsider.bsky.social's “Compare Birth Control” tool. It lets you view methods side by side so you can choose what fits your life, body, and goals: www.bedsider.org/birth-contro... #ContraceptionMatters

On #WorldContraceptionDay, we say #ThxBirthControl! 🎉 Birth control gives us the power to plan our futures, pursue our goals, and protect our health. Join @powertodecide.bsky.social in celebrating all that contraception makes possible: powertodecide.org/thxbirthcont... #SaferSex

🌟 Our Annual Meeting wrapped up today, and we’re feeling inspired! 🌟Huge thanks to our members and panelists for bringing the energy and expertise that make this community so powerful. Want to join us next year? Apply for free membership by filling out this brief form: bit.ly/NCSHMember #NCSH25

✨ Today’s the day! ✨ We’re so excited to welcome our members to the NCSH Annual Meeting. Want to join us next year? Become an NCSH member for free access to events like this, resources, and a powerful community advancing sexual health. 👉 Apply here: bit.ly/NCSHMember #NCSH25

Want to have a deeper convo with your partner? Pick a quiet, private space where everyone feels safe to share. Speak honestly and practice #ActiveListening👂 so everyone feels heard. Learn more about having open relationship convos: bit.ly/4eFnPbt

❌ Avoiding convos about your feelings? Whether you’re 👅tongue-tied or just need an 🧊 icebreaker, our scripts can guide you through the awk. Check them out at bit.ly/OTAScripts #OwnTheAwk

Feeling #insecure sometimes? Totally normal. But if it’s constant, it can interfere with your life. Pause, focus on your strengths, lean on people who lift you up, and reach out if you need support. Read more about insecurity & relationships: bit.ly/3TurMG8

Want to deepen your connection? Talk about what matters to you. Start with green flags, like good communication, and be real about red flags, like unreliability. 🚩Ask your partner(s) to share theirs, too! Build #PositiveRelationships: fiveactionsteps.org/4/

Clinicians: starting conversations about sexual health isn’t always easy. Our new 7-part video series, Tips for Talking: Sexual Health and Your Patients, offers practical advice from clinicians and patient perspectives. Watch now: bit.ly/TipsForTalki...

#Providers 🩺 Older adults want respectful, open conversations about sexual health and #HIV. They deserve inclusive care that meets their needs. Use our list of essential questions to ask patients, including those who are aging: bit.ly/4gUktSd #NHAAD #HIVAwareness

📣September 18 is National #HIVandAging Awareness Day! HIV prevention and treatment matter at every age. But many older adults don’t know their HIV status due to stigma. Let’s normalize sexual health conversations across the lifespan. Learn more: www.hiv.gov/events/aware...

Yes, you can talk feelings and still have a good time doing it. Play “Gimme That Ask”🃏 with a partner, friends, or solo. Just pick from seven card decks, choose a card, and dive into topics from spicy🌶️ to sweet🍭! Check it out here: owntheawk.org/play/ #OwnTheAwk

As a provider, are you tailoring care to meet the needs of people with disabilities? Consider: 🩺 Communication styles 🩺Sensory environments 🩺Consent & guardianship 🩺Service animals Learn more about disability-informed care in our new clinician’s guide: bit.ly/DisabilityInformedCare

Remember: no one is a mind reader. 🧠 Being upfront about what you want and need can prevent headaches for you and your partner(s). And help make sure your needs are met. It’s better to share. Learn more about #HealthyRelationships: bit.ly/406WngL

Before a tough conversation with a partner, plan ahead! Jot down your thoughts and feelings on paper or in your notes app. Reflecting on what’s really bothering you can help you speak clearly and #confidently. Get more tips for talking about your #feelings: bit.ly/3IyDbCo

Want to talk about setting boundaries in your relationship, but unsure where to start? Our 🎥 AwkLine video series has you covered! See how one couple navigates this 🎤conversation: bit.ly/44A9VCH #OwnTheAwk

Do you know the key principles of disability-responsive care? 💡 Listen patiently, inform thoroughly, communicate clearly, & take time to meet each patient's needs. Learn more about integrating these principles into sexual & reproductive health care in our new guide: bit.ly/DisabilityInformedCare

When sharing your #feelings, remember: 💖Everyone is valuable 💖We all have the right to express our feelings 💖Our relationship likes and dislikes might be different & that’s ok 💖Good partners listen 💖Being vulnerable can bring you closer Learn more: bit.ly/FeelingsWantsNeeds

Building #selfesteem starts with giving yourself grace. Fully accepting and loving yourself may take time. But you always deserve respectful, healthy, loving #relationships. 💛 Read more about building #selfesteem: bit.ly/4lmX8L6

Not everyone knows how to open up about their feelings right away, and that’s ok! When talking with your partners about wants and needs, be patient with yourself and with them. Learning how to communicate effectively is a process! 💫Get more communication tips: bit.ly/OTAComms101

Everyone deserves a pleasurable, satisfying sex life 💖 Explore our guide to sexual concerns and pleasure for real talk, tips and support. 📘 bit.ly/SexualConcer... #WSHD2025 #SexualWellness #NCSH #PleasureIsHealth

September 4th is World Sexual Health Day! 🌍 Take charge of your sexual health with our Five Action Steps—simple, empowering, and for everyone. Start here 👉 www.fiveactionsteps.org #WSHD2025 #FiveActionSteps #NCSH 💬🧠

#DYK your #BodyLanguage says a lot?🧍‍Whether talking in person or on the phone, aim for a relaxed, open posture to show you’re ready to listen. Try not to cross your arms to avoid looking closed off. For more tips, visit: bit.ly/3INhC1f

When you’re clear about what you want and needs, you can build trust in your #relationship. 🤝And with that feeling of security, it’s much easier to talk about other things as they come up. Get tips for sharing your feels: bit.ly/FeelingsWantsNeeds

Everyone deserves accurate info, affirming care & the right to experience pleasure if they choose. Yet people with disabilities are often left out of sex ed & sexual health care. Our guide helps clinicians offer inclusive, compassionate care for those with disabilities: bit.ly/DisabilityInformedCare

Having a♥️to♥️with your partner about what “this” is? Don’t be afraid to open up! Remember, you deserve a relationship where you feel safe, can be yourself, and share what you want. Learn more about building positive relationships: bit.ly/405tlhR

#ICYMI we just launched a new Clinician’s Guide to Disability-Informed Care! This guide provides a practical framework for integrating disability-informed practices into sexual and reproductive health care before, during, and after a patient visit. Explore it here: bit.ly/DisabilityIn...

🗣 #HealthyCommunication is the secret sauce to feeling seen, heard, & valued.️ It means expressing your thoughts and feelings clearly & positively, and actively listening to your partner(s). This can build trust and a solid relationship. Learn more: bit.ly/OTAComms101

Not sure where you and your #summerfling stand? Want to ask where things are headed but don’t know where to begin? 🤐 📢 Check out #OwnTheAwk for convo scripts on different sex and relationship topics, including #DTR: bit.ly/OTAScripts

Celebrate what makes you uniquely you!💛Positive #selftalk can shift everything. 📢 Try saying: “I’m beautiful and worthy of love” or “I love myself enough to ask for what I need,” especially before tough talks with partners. Visit fiveactionsteps.org/1/ for more tips #SelfLove

Asking for what you want starts with believing that you matter. We all deserve to feel great about ourselves, especially around our partner(s). Embracing who you are isn’t always easy, but everyone can get better at #selflove. 💕 Learn more: fiveactionsteps.org/1/

#Communication isn’t just about talking – it's about listening too. When others speak, be fully present, don’t interrupt, and show you’re engaged so they feel fully heard and supported. 🫶 Learn more about building healthy relationships: fiveactionsteps.org

#Mpox is preventable, and vaccines offer the best protection! 🧬Use our Mpox Toolkit to spread the word and protect your community. 📲 Download it here: bit.ly/mpox-toolkit #NIAM #Mpox #VaccinesSaveLives #SexualHealth #NCSH 🧑🏽‍⚕️📢

Sexual health #stigmas can prevent people from seeking the services they need, like STI testing 🧪 and treatment 💊. Let’s break the silence and prioritize our well-being. To learn more about #STI testing, visit bit.ly/4jHamlu

A healthy sexual relationship means everyone involved feels satisfied 😁 Open, honest communication ensures that you and your partner(s) are giving each other exactly what you want in the bedroom! For advice on talking about sex with partner(s), visit bit.ly/4053GGr

Talking with a healthcare provider about #sexualhealth concerns can feel awk! Try to: 🌟Write down your thoughts before 🌟Start with a simple opening line like “I am having trouble with…” 🌟Remember it's their job to discuss sexual health For more, visit bit.ly/41New4I

The truth? STIs are common. By age 25, about half of all people who are sexually active will get at least one STI. Testing and treatment are acts of self-care, not something to be ashamed of. Learn more: bit.ly/3WFtt5l

Own the Awk, a campaign developed with and for young adults, offers many tools, like videos, scripts, and card decks, to encourage sexual health and relationship conversations. Check it out at owntheawk.org!

#DTR talk didn’t go how you hoped? That can sting—but remember, their #relationship preferences aren’t a reflection🪞 of your worth. Sometimes people just don’t match, and that’s ok. 💕 Need more tips? Check out: bit.ly/OwnTheAwkDTR #OwnTheAwk

A #healthyrelationship 🌱meets everyone’s needs – & sometimes that means #compromise. But don’t bend so much you lose sight of what makes you feel happy and safe. Compromising to avoid losing someone probably won’t satisfy you in the short or long-term💖: bit.ly/4aCB3Uj

If you and your partner want different things, that doesn’t have to mean it’s over. Be open to their POV and see if meeting halfway works for both of you. 🎥Watch how one couple finds compromise during a #DTR talk on the AwkLine ☎️: bit.ly/3FYkkzl #OwnTheAwk

For 60 years, health centers have delivered inclusive, judgment-free sexual health care 💜From STI testing and cancer screenings to PrEP and contraception, they’ve got you covered. Celebrate #NHCW25 and find a center near you 👉 findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov #SexualHealth #ValueCHCs

Ever wonder why a date isn’t going well— and then realize they haven’t asked you a single question? 🫠 If you can’t get a word in, it’s ok to say something like “It’s so great to learn about you, do you have any questions for me?” Learn more: bit.ly/OTAComms101 #OwnTheAwk

August is National Immunization Awareness Month! 💉 Vaccines protect us at every age, from childhood to adulthood. Stay informed and up to date. Learn more: www.cdc.gov/vaccines/php... #NIAM #VaccinesWork #PublicHealth #ImmunizationMatters 🛡️

Sexual health is essential health 🧬 During #NHCW25, we honor health centers who provide STI testing, PrEP, contraception, and care with dignity. Celebrate their legacy and future 👉 healthcenterweek.org #ValueCHCs #SexualHealthMatters

When starting a #relationship convo, skip the “we need to talk” line. It’s a total anxiety trigger! There are better ways to open the conversation—promise. Find more communications advice at: bit.ly/OTAComms101 #OwnTheAwk

Something your partner said not making sense? 👀 Before jumping to the wrong conclusion, ask them to clarify. That’s a very simple way to prevent misunderstandings and conflict. 🙃For more #communicationtips, visit: bit.ly/3G0WgMh

Have you been checking your chat balance? 🧐 If the convo is all about you, shift gears and ask your partner(s) what’s going on in their life. #Conversations should be a two-way street. Check out more tips: bit.ly/3G0WgMh

Want to be a better listener? Try to: 👂Maintain eye contact 👂Keep an open mind to see their POV 👂Be ready to admit they have a valid point Learn more about active listening: bit.ly/42ES8KQ

🌍 July 28 is #WorldHepatitisDay, a global call to eliminate viral hepatitis. The tools are here: 💉Vaccines for hep A & B 💊Cure for hep C 🧪Simple testing for hep A, B & C Let’s work together to end hepatitis for good. Learn more: www.worldhepatitisday.org #HepatitisAwareness