The Wyoming Health Council works to ensure that all people can access equitable, inclusive, high-quality, and affordable reproductive and sexual health care. | | |
What to Expect at a Pap Smear
Maybe you had a bad experience with your last Pap smear and you’re wary of going back to the ob-gyn. Or maybe you’ve never had one before and are scared to make the appointment. It’s understandable to feel anxiety about women’s health care, but a Pap smear is an important screening tool for cervical cancer.
“A lot of people feel really nervous or anxious to get a Pap smear, and some people aren’t quite sure of exactly what we’re testing for,” says Dr. Jayme Trevino, an ob-gyn and fellow with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). “One of my goals when a patient is coming to me for a Pap test is to thoroughly explain exactly what we’re looking for and the steps of the process.”
Here, two ob-gyns explain what a Pap smear entails and dispel some common misconceptions about the potentially life-saving test.
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Is Cervical Cancer Curable?
If you’ve been diagnosed with cervical cancer, your first concern may be about cure and survival. When detected early, cervical cancer is highly treatable and curable.
More advanced cases of cervical cancer can also be treated, often with successful outcomes.
The uterus (womb) and vagina connect through a hollow tube called the cervix. Cervical cancer starts in the cells that line the cervix.
Early diagnosis through tests including Pap smears often catch abnormal cells at a precancerous stage or an early stage of cervical cancer. The stage of cancer you have when diagnosed and issues such as response to treatment and overall health play important roles in your potential prognosis.
This article will focus on the factors that impact survival rates and prognosis (likely outcome) for cervical cancer. It will also discuss treatment options, and what you should do if cervical cancer returns.
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American Cancer Society recommends self-swab HPV test for cervical cancer screening
The FDA has approved three self-administered tests for the high-risk strains of HPV known to cause most cervical cancers.
Cervical cancer screening can now include “self-swab” HPV tests, according to updated guidelines published Thursday by the American Cancer Society.
The change, experts hope, will encourage more women to undergo regular screening for the cancer by giving them an alternative to a speculum exam.
Testing for HPV, or human papillomavirus, has supplanted the Pap test as the preferred method for cervical cancer screening. Pap tests (also called cytology) involve collecting cells from a patient’s cervix during a pelvic exam, a process some women find uncomfortable and even painful.
“HPV is such a strong indicator of cervical cancer, we know now that screening for HPV is screening for cervical cancer. This gives more options to women,” said Jane Montealegre, an associate professor of behavioral science at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, who was not involved in the updated guidelines.
| | HPV Prevention Week January 26-30th | | |
HPV Vaccine Confirmed Safe and Effective by Global Reviews
Two major Cochrane reviews provide the strongest evidence to date that HPV vaccines are highly effective at preventing cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases—while posing no increased risk of the serious side effects that frequently circulate on social media. Together, the studies include data from more than 132 million people and offer renewed clarity at a moment when misinformation still discourages some families from vaccinating their children.
Nicholas Henschke, PhD, lead author of one review and contributor to another, and head of the Cochrane Response, Development, and External Relations Directorate, states that the findings compile nearly two decades of evidence on the impact of vaccination. “There’s been individual studies that have looked at this question of HPV vaccine and cervical cancer,” he explains, “but it’s only recently that we actually have data on cervical cancer itself.” Girls who received the first HPV vaccines in 2006 are only now reaching their 30s—an age when cervical cancer begins to appear—finally allowing researchers to measure long-term outcomes.
| | | HPV Vaccine: The Sooner, the Better for Peace of Mind | | |
So, HPV (Human Papillomavirus)…It’s sexually transmitted, through all types of sex, it increases your risk of a whole bunch of HPV-related cancers, and it makes it more likely that you’ll contract genital warts…and overall, it’s just another thing to worry about.
But guess what…you can prevent a lot of this stuff with a vaccine! The HPV vaccine works for young adults of any gender. And even if you didn’t get the HPV vaccine as a teen, there’s good news…it’s not too late! Want to know more?
Take a look at the video to help answer your questions about the HPV vaccine. And check out Healthy Teen Networks educational materials here!
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Trust the sex therapist, sober sex is better. You just have to get the courage to try it
Picture this: You're about to get intimate with your partner, and you instinctively reach for that drink to "get in the mood." Well, you're not alone. Over four million adults in the U.S. regularly turn to alcohol before sex. But what if I told you that sober sex can take your pleasure to a whole new level? Yes, you heard that right – sex without alcohol can be even better than with that glass of wine or bubbly champagne.
But to understand how to improve your experience during sex, and especially during sober sex, it's important to first understand why so many people drink before sex in the first place.
Why do people drink alcohol before sex?
Sex is an intimate act, no matter if it's with a long-time partner or someone new. Intimacy requires vulnerability and the willingness to open up physically and emotionally. And let's be honest, this level of intimacy can be scary for some. Past experiences, societal norms and relationship dynamics all play a part in how comfortable we feel during sex. That's where alcohol sometimes steps in, numbing the discomfort while inhibiting emotional closeness.
But here's the thing – alcohol's effects on the brain make us more focused on the present moment, blinding us to potential future consequences. Many think that alcohol promotes relaxation and confidence. Sex after drinking is expected to be more fun. However, the reality is often the opposite. Alcohol can actually reduce sexual desire, arousal and orgasms. Not so enticing anymore, is it? So why not trade that drink for a deeper connection?
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Six Ways That Sex Changes After Sobriety
There is no universal experience of sobriety, but when GQ spoke with a range of people who have given up drugs and alcohol, there was unanimous consensus that it changed their relationship to sex. “Pretty much everything changed when I got sober, and sex was no different,” said Andrew, a 38-year-old from Columbus, OH, who has been sober for over two years (and who, like others in this story, asked to only be identified by his first name). Everyone we spoke with about sex post-sobriety, expressed this idea in one way or another. They all also talked about how intimacy generally improved after getting sober—but also emphasized how difficult it was to adjust to having sex without drugs or alcohol.
Across the board, they agreed that, despite the difficulty, sex was better in many ways—that it was one of the many improvements to their lives that made sobriety worth it.
One woman, Liz, 43, from Des Moines, IA, who has been sober for over a year, described “the amount of pleasure that I have experienced! I didn't know my body was capable of this,” she said. Rob, 32, from Bethesda, MD, who has been sober for 8 years, agreed: “There are no aspects of my life post-sobriety—including, and in some ways especially, romantically and sexually—that are not markedly better.”
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Thinking of Going Boy Sober? Here's What To Know
Including the fact that, no, you don't have to give up sex if you don't want to.
A visit to her grandmother at the end of 2023 made Hope Woodard, a 26-year-old from New York, realize it was time to quit dating. During the visit, Hope’s grandma, who has dementia, showed her the text messages she’d been sending to her late husband, forgetting the fact that he wouldn't be responding, much less that he was gone.
Seeing her grandmother sending texts into the ether was a sharp reminder of the state of her own love life. “I come from a long line of women who have never been able to live without men,” says Hope. “It just made me think: This is going to be me. I’m getting ghosted by a guy, and my grandma’s getting ghosted by her literal dead husband. I was like, we have to stop the cycle.”
Shortly after the visit, Hope deleted all her dating apps and made a promise to herself: No more dates for a year. Then, armed with a catchy new term coined by her sister, Hope started documenting her "boy sober" journey to her half a million TikTok followers.
While Carly and Hope’s decisions to cut out all romantic encounters may sound drastic, wanting to take a step back from dating is a feeling many can relate to. Dating app fatigue is steadily on the rise as people tire of endless swiping and expensive dates that go nowhere. “If you’re feeling burned out by dating, it might be time to have a little bit of a break. Focus on what you love doing, and on the people in your life who matter,” says Natasha Silverman, a relationship counsellor with Relate. “When you’re feeling more confident and secure, it tends to be that you come to dating from a really different place. You know who you are, and what you’re willing to tolerate.”
| | | You don’t have to look far to find human trafficking victims
Many people think that human trafficking means kidnapping and moving victims across state or national borders.
After working with human trafficking victims as a forensic nurse and now while teaching at Texas A&M University’s College of Nursing, I know that this often is not the case.
I have found that many perpetrators find, entice and sell their victims right in their own backyards.
Victims are often hidden in plain sight, leading everyone from police to health professionals to miss clues to their plight and vastly underestimate the scope and economics of human trafficking.
My colleagues and I once missed one of those victims. That led us to change the way we work.
Health care professionals have the advantage of being able to speak with patients alone and not alert the trafficker. Asking non-leading questions and using trauma-informed techniques can create an environment where victims feel they can disclose the abuse they experienced at the hands of their buyers and traffickers....
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Looking for a Training? Check out
Working with Patients Experiencing Human Trafficking
Through Healthy Teen Network’s partnership with the University of Maryland School of Social Work’s Prevention of Adolescent Risk Initiative, this elearning unit is available to learn about sex and labor trafficking. This unit is focused on specifics for the state of Maryland, but participants from any state can learn about sex and labor trafficking as well.
Suggested prerequisite: Human Trafficking 101
Estimated Time: 25 minutes
This elearning is designed to equip medical providers with tools and information to recognize and serve victims of trafficking. By the end of this training, you should be able to describe the variety of medical circumstances that might bring trafficking victims/survivors into a medical setting; describe how to identify if a patient may be trafficked; and describe at least three steps providers can take if they believe a patient has been or is being trafficked, including using trauma-informed practices.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this elearning unit, participants will be able to…
Describe the variety of medical circumstances that bring trafficking victims/survivors into a medical setting;
Describe how to identify if a patient may be trafficked; and
Describe at least 3 steps providers can take once a patient indicates they have been or are being trafficked, including trauma-informed practices.
| | | National Stalking Awareness Month | | |
The Chappell Roan Fan Discourse Should Be a Reminder That Stalking Is All Too Common
To many fans, their favorite artists are akin to heroes. But recently, artist Chappell Roan issued an important reminder about celebrities: everyone is “just some bitch.” Roan asserted some boundaries in social media posts in August, asking followers to respect her privacy, and for an end to predatory fan behaviors such as stalking. Before she set those boundaries, Roan said fans had exhibited “creepy” behavior, like finding out where her family lives, following her around, and knowing where her sister works. She’s worried, she said, that her family may be put in danger because of her fame. Despite these clear cut rules and legitimate concerns, the Internet had its opinions. Some called Roan ungrateful, saying inappropriate fan behavior is a side effect of fame, while others insisted that she had every right to express any boundaries she felt necessary.
But Chappell’s predicament is most interesting to me for a reason outside the politics of celebrity and fame. I'm focused on what it says about the plight of women worldwide.
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Stalking vs. love: Knowing the difference
Love is a profoundly strong emotional and behavioral affection for another person. Stalking is a form of abuse that some may mistake under the guise of love. It is important to learn the differences between the two.
This article looks at stalking versus love, including their possible similarities and differences.
It also explores stalking statistics, the impact on health and well-being, the laws on stalking, how a person can protect themselves, and organizations and other forms of support.
Stalking is a form of abuse. Perpetrators usually use stalking to scare, threaten, or control a person.
Love is typically the combination of emotions and behaviors characterized by affection, intimacy, and commitment.
Distinguishing between the two
Two of the main distinguishing characteristics between stalking and love are:
Consent: People may express love based on mutual consent between two people. Stalking may involve one or more individuals expressing love in a particular way or pursuing someone without their consent or reciprocated feelings.
Intent: A person may declare or express love based on genuine emotions to let someone know they care. Stalking involves an unhealthy fixation on a person that may have malintent to scare or harm them.
There are some ways stalking may appear similar to love on the surface, but there are many ways it differs.
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World Brail Day
January 4
Kids With Visual Impairments Need Sex Ed Too
For years, cringe-worthy films were a staple of American sex education: low-tech motion graphics demonstrated human reproductive systems while teenagers with outdated clothes and hairstyles awkwardly discussed sex. Students squirmed as health teachers projected anatomical diagrams of sexual organs onto classroom screens.
In the age of social media and video streaming, students these days might be less embarrassed. But they still are shown videos, online diagrams and book illustrations — visuals that are critical to teaching them about their bodies and reproductive behavior.
But those learning resources have never been accessible to students with visual impairments, who include those who are blind and partially blind. For them, sex ed curricula rarely take into account the unique ways they learn. But two Ohio State teaching and learning faculty are out to change that.
Students with visual impairments need comprehensive sex education as much as their sighted peers, if not more, said Tiffany Wild, associate professor of teaching and learning who specializes in sensory impairments.
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Cuddle Up Day
Jan 6
12 Best Cuddling Positions Designed to Strengthen Your Relationship, According to Intimacy Experts
Cuddling can help revolutionize your attachment to a partner and your sex life all on its own, here's how to do it in bed, while watching TV or sitting on the couch.
Cuddling is as casual as it is comfy for most couples, but many often underestimate its ability to help bolster physical intimacy — and according to relationship experts, cuddling can be a hallmark tool for feeling comfortable and well-connected to your partner. For starters, there's documented evidence that suggests the physical aspect of a good cuddle session can decrease cortisol (a.k.a fight stress!) and work to improve your mood by triggering hormones like oxytocin — research highlighted by Penn Medicine indicates that some data has even indicated a same-day reduction in blood pressure for those who frequently casually embrace their partner intimately. But even more promising is the emotional impact that cuddling can provide.
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Shower Together Day
Jan 13
A Handy Guide to Shower Sex
Everything you need to know before getting it on whilst bathing.
Like with app dates and probably Timothee Chalamet, shower sex—while enormously sultry in theory—can often, umm, fall short.
Yeah, it’s hot. It’s steamy. You’re naked. Water is cascading. But alongside all the more illustrious parts of intercourse-avec-bathing, there are some minor inconveniences: It’s slippery, vaguely cramped, difficult to lather up (if cleaning your body was, at any point, the intention here), and it’s likely that you’ll find yourself with several unsolicited mouthfuls of lukewarm water. Unlike intimate moments in the bedroom (or even on the floor or sofa), sex in the shower comes with a lot more logistical questions than you might be prepared for. What sounds like an amazing idea can end up being disappointing—or, at worst, dangerous enough to merit a trip to urgent care.
Nonetheless, there is a time and a place for shower sex. And when duty calls, you must answer. So in the hopes of making your next occasion for bathroom boning as pleasurable as possible, we’ve put together a guide for the slippery when wet moments, including the best shower sex positions that can make your slippery-when-wet moments even better. Shower sex can be safe, fun, and even exciting—and taking the right steps beforehand can help ensure that all parties have squeaky clean fun.
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Please consider supporting reproductive and sexual health care in Wyoming!
You can donate directly to us—100% of your contribution goes toward supporting health care access in our state.
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This newsletter was developed (in part) with federal funds from the Office of Population Affairs. For more information on the rules and regulations that apply to our programs, please visit
https://opa.hhs.gov/grant-programs/title-x-service-grants
This project is supported by the Office of Population Affairs (OPA) and the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Health (OASH) of the U.X. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award 1 FPHPA 006541-0-00 totaling $978,380 with 100 percent funded by OPA/OASH/HHS. The contents are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by OPA/OASH/HHS or the U.X. Government.
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WYOMING HEALTH COUNCIL
111 S. Durbin, Suite 200
Casper, WY 82601
Call Us: (307) 439-2033
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