coycon

[coycon]

The number of sexual partners a person has had is no indication of how safe they are or even how sexual they are. And it definitely doesn't say anything about how good of a person they are. You can have sex 10 times with 10 different people or you can have sex 400 times with one person. You can have sex with one person and be kinky as hell, or sleep around but be vanilla and shy in the bedroom. It's just a number. "When it comes to sexual partners, there is no correct number. We don’t have a negative label for men who have multiple partners and we also lack a vocabulary that praises women for exploring their sexuality. Once women realize that slut shaming each other is damaging we can start supporting one other as we grow intellectually and sexually. (Source: Article on bustle.com) Judgement is a large part of who we are, where we are and our society at large. As human beings with a brain, we are entitled to our opinions but that same brain should also help us decipher whether those opinions are solicited or not. Passing around judgements without complete knowledge is probably the most annoying thing someone could do. Wouldn’t you agree? When it comes to matters related to sex and sexuality, everyone is suddenly a connoisseur and assumes that their word is the bond.

As an Indian society we are far from overcoming this challenge because a lot of our elders firmly hold on to their archaic beliefs and refuse to dabble their feet into fresh waters, and start the process of our conditioning very early on. As a result, we grow up stuck with the same beliefs until our education and environment changes us. 

So, this is it. This is the changed environment. It’s an urge for everyone to be more open-minded. Small steps will get us there. Have informed opinions, do not pass judgements. That’s not your job. The rape victim you judged did not ask for your opinion. The woman who lost her virginity, by choice, before marriage did not ask for your opinion. The woman who breastfed in the metro did not ask for your opinion. The man who dared to come out of the closet did not ask for your opinion. The man who likes putting on make up did not ask for your opinion.

[coycon]

I'm sure you've been getting lectured on personal and oral hygiene ever since you can remember existing. However, our parents and even our doctors end up skipping intimate hygiene like our teachers skipped that chapter on reproduction in middle school biology. It goes without saying that intimate hygiene too is of utmost importance. It refers to the process of taking care of your intimate parts. Lack of awareness and availability of accurate information is the biggest problem that we face as a society. There is a lot of shame and stigma attached around woman's anatomy. Coming to intimate hygiene routine, a lot of women still believe that cleaning the vagina from the inside with water or other solutions is important. However, the vagina is self-cleaning and force-cleaning can cause infections. It's only the vulva (external genital area) which needs care. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ • Never wash the vulvar region with soap or chemical-based intimate washes. • Vagina is self-cleaning! Women should never try to clean the insides or douche. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ • Change tampons and pads every 3-4 hours. Sterilize menstrual cups on a regular basis. • Always use natural intimate hygiene products which are extremely gentle. • Avoid tight and synthetic clothing. • When wiping with a tissue, always wipe front to back. Most people connect intimate hygiene with women only. But it is important for both men and women. The genitalia are one of the most neglected body parts in men and can collect a lot of dirt and grime, making them prone to infections. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ • Shower daily and try to keep the skin around the concerned areas dry and clean. • Avoid wearing overly tight clothes and make sure to use an anti-chafing cream made of natural ingredients. • If you are a fitness enthusiast, use an anti-sweat lotion to keep the sweat, odour and irritation at bay. • Men must trim or shave pubic hair regularly to keep the area clean and in good hygiene. Wash the genitals well with warm water before and after shaving. • No to tight underwear, one is advised to wear something that allows air to circulate well in the covered areas.

[coycon]

I’m pretty sure you must be familiar with the phrases “S/he’s hormonal.” or “It’s the hormones.” We often attribute unexplained emotions and drives to hormones. But what exactly are these hormones? And when do they come into play? A lot of our first world problems such as hot flashes, weight changes, acne, hair loss, our psyche, menstruation, are directly caused/affected by hormones. Which is why it’s important to discuss about them. Human body is flushed with a myriad of chemical messengers, that we know as hormones. Some of these hormones, namely— testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, oxytocin and vasopressin, are involved in sexual behaviour and motivation. There are still a lot more involved in pregnancy.

Testosterone is the primary male sex hormone and anabolic steroid. It plays a key role on the development of male reproductive organs, as well as, promotes secondary sexual characteristics such as increased muscle and bone mass, growth of body hair, etc. It is a major contributing factor to sexual motivation in human males. Estrogen is the primary female sex hormone. It is responsible for the development and regulation of the female reproductive system and secondary sex characteristics. Progesterone, a steroidal sex hormone is involved in the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and embryogenesis in humans and other species. It has a variety of important functions in the body. Estrogen and progesterone typically regulate motivation to engage in sexual reproduction behaviour for females. Oxytocin plays a role in social bonding, sexual reproduction, childbirth and the period after childbirth. It is released during labour to induce and aid contractions. After childbirth, it helps with breastfeeding, milk production and bonding with the baby. Vasopressin, though plays a major role in the excretory system but it also may play an important role in social behaviour, sexual motivation, pair bonding and maternal response to stress. Oxytocin and vasopressin are implicated in regulating both male and female sexual motivation. Oxytocin is released at orgasm and is associated with both sexual pleasure and the formation of emotional bonds.

[coycon]

Have the terms “gender”, “sex”, “sexuality”, “orientation”, “identity” ever made you scratch your heads? Did you think all of them mean the same thing? Are you aware of the differences between these terms? It’s alright if you’re not, a lot of us are often confused when it comes to so many terms but being ignorant is also not an option. In a rapidly evolving society, it’s our duty to educate ourselves and be sensitive towards these differences. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 𝐒𝐞𝐱 refers to the physical or physiological differences between male, female, and intersex bodies including both primary sex characteristics (the reproductive system) and secondary sex characteristics (such as breasts and facial hair). ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 is a socially constructed concept that refers to the social or cultural distinctions like clothing, language, roles in life associated with a give sex. Like male sex is called boy or man and female sex is called girl or woman. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐲 refers to how you feel inside and express your gender through clothing, behaviour, and personal appearance. It’s a feeling that begins early in life. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 𝐒𝐞𝐱𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 is an all inclusive term for our sexual health, the way we act in relationships, how we feel about our bodies, intimacy, sensuality, etc. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀���⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 𝐎𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 refers to people’s sexual interest in and attraction to others, as well as their capacity to have erotic and romantic experiences and responses. There are many labels such as, lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer, questioning, asexual, heterosexual, pansexual and also those who don’t prefer any such labels. Sexual orientation may remain the same throughout your life or many change over time. But remember, it’s not a choice, it can’t be changed by therapy, treatment or pressure from family and friends. You can’t “turn” a person gay. So live and let live.

[coycon]

Family planning services are defined as "educational, comprehensive medical or social activities which enable individuals, including minors, to determine freely the number and spacing of their children and to select the means by which this may be achieved". Family planning may involve consideration of the number of children a woman wishes to have, including the choice to have no children, as well as the age at which she wishes to have them. These matters are influenced by external factors such as marital situation, career considerations, financial position, and any disabilities that may affect their ability to have children and raise them. If sexually active, family planning may involve the use of contraception and other techniques to control the timing of reproduction. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ India was the first country in the world to have launched a National Programme for Family Planning in 1952. Over the decades, the programme has undergone transformation in terms of policy and actual programme implementation and currently being repositioned to not only achieve population stabilization goals but also promote reproductive health and reduce maternal, infant & child mortality and morbidity. Under the programme public health sector provides various family planning services at various levels of health system. ⠀⠀⠀⠀ * 214 million women of reproductive age in developing countries who want to avoid pregnancy are not using a modern contraceptive method. * Some family planning methods, such as condoms, help prevent the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. * Family planning / contraception reduces the need for abortion, especially unsafe abortion. * Family planning reinforces people’s rights to determine the number and spacing of their children. * By preventing unintended pregnancy, family planning /contraception prevents deaths of mothers and children. (Source: WHO) 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥 𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐝𝐬: • Condoms for men and women • Diaphragm and cervical cap for women • Hormonal methods such as pills, implants, vaginal rings • Intrauterine Devices  • Permanent methods (sterilization through Vasectomy for men and Tubectomy for women) 

[coycon]

“Mirror mirror on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?” I’m sure you’ve heard this phrase countless times, growing up. Here’s a fact about growing up- we all start giving a damn about our bodies, about our looks and how we present ourselves to others. For some, it’s fairly manageable, but for many others it becomes an obsession. We become obsessed with the way we look, to the extent that it becomes detrimental to our health. That’s when eating disorders jump in. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Eating disorders are serious conditions related to persistent eating behaviours that negatively impact your health, emotions and ability to function in important areas of life. Most eating disorders involve focusing too much on your weight, body shape and food, leading to dangerous eating behaviours. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The 3 common types of eating disorders are: 𝐀𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐚 𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐨𝐬𝐚: People with anorexia generally view themselves as overweight even if they are dangerously underweight. They keep trying to restrict their calorie intake and exercise obsessively to stay thin. It gives them a sense of control over their bodies. 𝐁𝐮𝐥𝐢��𝐢𝐚 𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐨𝐬𝐚: It is characterized by binging on food, then feeling guilty about it and then purging. It makes them feel in control of their bodies. 𝐁𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫: People eat unusually large amounts of food and are usually overweight and obese. They feel a lack of control. Food and sex are the two most basic human requirements, essential for physiological functioning. For those struggling with an eating disorder, the relationship with both of these subjects becomes strained. A person’s sexuality is closely connected with his or her physicality, self-esteem, and body satisfaction, all of which become distorted and fall prey to the tyranny of the eating disorder. Sexual dysfunction is common for all manifestations of an eating disorder. Low body weight is associated with loss of libido as well as physiological impairment of sexual organs. Many core elements of eating disorders such as shame, body dissatisfaction, distorted body image can inhibit healthy sexual functioning.

[coycon]

“Date Rape” is a phrase used for forced sexual contact from someone the victim knows or is acquainted with. Also sometimes called “acquaintance rape.”. The use of such “predator” or “date rape drugs” is common in India. These drugs are commonly used in trains and buses to rob passengers, and in youth parties to exploit young people for drug-facilitated sexual assault. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Partygoers sometimes add these drugs to punch and other drinks (including soda and water), in hopes of lowering drinkers' inhibitions and facilitating nonconsensual sexual conquest. The drugs are powerful sedatives that suppress general neural activity. Sometimes date rape drugs are put into a drink without you knowing. Or, you may be drinking alcohol or taking a drug, but someone else makes it stronger without you knowing. Know and believe that alcohol is the most common date rape drug. Others are Rohypnol (commonly known as roofie), GHB and Ketamine; they are odourless, colourless and tasteless. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

Date rape drugs or too much alcohol can make you dizzy, have problems talking or slurred speech, unable to move, feel nauseous, have slow or fast heartbeat, sleepy, confused, have trouble breathing or make you pass out. These drugs can even prove to be life threatening at high doses or when mixed with alcohol and other drugs.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ To ensure your safety in parties and other such social situations, the following tips might come in handy: • Watch your drink at all times. • Cover your drink with your hand. • If someone offers to buy you a drink, watch the drink being made and get it from the server yourself.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ • If you get up to move or use the restroom, take your drink with you • If you start to feel lightheaded, nauseous, dizzy or otherwise strange, seek help immediately.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ • Utilise the buddy system where a friend you trust is looking out for you and you are looking out for him/her.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ • Step in if you see something suspicious.

[coycon]

Just as green light means ‘GO’, red light means ‘STOP’, YES means YES and NO means NO. Sounds pretty obvious, doesn’t it? Unfortunately, boundaries are still being violated knowingly or unknowingly. 

Sexual consent is an agreement to participate in a sexual activity. When you and your partner agree to have sex, it is really important to be clear on these this before things get too hot and heavy. Consenting involves setting your personal boundaries and respecting those of your partner, checking in if things aren’t clear and agreeing every single time. Without consent, any kind of intimate activity (oral sex, genital touching, penetration of any form, even kissing) is considered sexual assault or rape and is harmful and against the law.

Here are some pointers you need to remember about consent: ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ • Sexual consent must be verbal and explicit. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ • It must be freely-given and informed. • It must be reversible, you can always change your mind even after the sex stuff has begun. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ • It’s always good to check in with each other.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ • It’s fine to slow things down or stop if you’re not feeling it or things are moving along too quickly for you.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ • Drinks and drugs affect consent, it must be given sober. Being sexual with someone who is high or drunk and can’t give an informed consent, is equivalent to raping. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 

In India, the age of consent is 18 for both girls and boys. Unfortunately, the archaic laws in India do not criminalize marital rape. Indian wives do not have the liberty to exercise consent. Below 18, the law doesn’t allow her to have sex even if she is married, and above 18, she cannot say no because there is a presumption of matrimonial consent. However, it is an urge to treat your partner, married or not, with utmost respect and whether the law criminalizes it or not, we all know that it’s wrong to force or impose intimacy. Respect her/his wishes and know that sex is much more enjoyable and pleasurable with enthusiastic consent.

[coycon]

“Not enough.” How many times have you been crestfallen because you felt you weren’t enough? Enough of what though? Thick enough? Thin enough? Hairy enough? Smooth enough? Truth is, it is never enough. No matter what lengths you scale, to mirror that image of perfection you’ve been shown and taught since birth, it will never be enough. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

There is a strong link between body image and sexuality. Our body image is how we feel about ourselves physically and how we think others see us. While sexuality is thought of as sexual orientation, but it is much more than that. It also includes things like our sexual health, the way we act in relationships and how we feel about our bodies. Whether we are conscious of it or not, our bodies have a huge influence on the decisions we make. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

A negative mental representation of one’s body image can have serious repercussions on one’s mental and physical well being. Dissatisfaction with the way they look have led the youth to acquire unhealthy dieting practices, alcohol, drug. and tobacco abuse, eating disorders, suicide attempts and debauchery. Instances of people seeking validation from strangers online isn’t exactly unheard of. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

It’s high time we ask ourselves, is it really worth all the pain? Why can't we e less of a critic and more of a friend towards our own bodies? Social pressures to look a certain way can be very overwhelming but there are ways to accept yourself the way you are. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 1. Get your facts clear. Everyone is different and it’s natural. Our skin colour and hair type are usually similar to one of the two biological parents so unless you’re born to Angelina Jolie, you can’t look like her. But our very own characteristics are what make us unique and beautiful.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 2. The perfect body? Does not exist. What you see on the media is photoshopped and airbrushed to the extent of surrealism. In real life, those men and women are just like you.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 3. Learn to create your own beauty images and question the superficial ones you see on media. Treat stretch marks, cellulite, freckles, scars and pigments as accessories rather than flaws.

[coycon]

An abortion is a medical process of ending a pregnancy so it doesn’t result in the birth of a baby. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ In India, according to the MTP Act, 1971, legal abortion can be performed if: 1. The continuation of pregnancy poses any risks to the life of the mother or to her physical or mental health. 2. The foetus has any severe abnormalities.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 3. Pregnancy occurred as a result of failure of contraception (but this is only applicable to married women). ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ 4. Pregnancy is a result of sexual assault or rape.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The Act allows abortions to be done only by Registered Medical Practitioners (RMPs). Most OBGYNs are authorized to perform abortions. An MTP may only be performed in government or government approved facilities. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ The sooner, the better. Within the first 12 weeks, only one RMP’s approval is needed, thereafter two RMPs’ approval is required. Within the first 9 weeks, medical abortion only requires medication prescribed by the RMP, between 7 and 15 weeks, vacuum aspiration is recommended. Beyond 15 weeks, dilation and evacuation is recommended. These are small surgical methods. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ An adult woman with sound mental health doesn’t require anyone’s permission to go ahead with the termination procedure but getting an abortion without the husband’s knowledge can be considered grounds for divorce. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ In the absence of sex education and proper guidance of parents, unwanted teenage pregnancies are on the rise. Due to the social stigma attached and parents’ wrath, young girls tend to avoid going to government setups for a safe and legal procedure. As a result they resort to ‘quacks’ and unqualified medical staff to keep the affair a ‘secret’. However, this can have grave and dangerous consequences on the lives and health of these girls. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Both the youngsters as well as the parents need to be sensitized regarding this issue. IT IS AN URGE TO EVERYONE TO BE MORE CONSIDERATE AND HELPFUL, ONE MISTAKE SHOULD NOT MEAN THE END OF LIFE.

[coycon]

Project CoyCon announces it first campaign!!! 

THE A-Z SERIES

[coycon]

Please follow our Instagram page!!

[coycon]

CDF Aryabhatta takes pride in launching its newest initiative; Project CoyCon. This project aims to tackle the problems and offer solutions regarding a widely stigmatized issue since the beginning of time— sex. Starting a conversation about this hushed topic is the need of the hour and we intend to do exactly that. The project was conceived with a single-minded idea of bringing about awareness and revolutionizing the existing notions, it went through a period of gestation that involved a lot of deliberation and planning, leading to its eventual birth as this brand new model for change! We hope to raise this brainchild of ours and take it to new heights with your support and cooperation. So join us in promoting this pursuit through the various interactive workshops and sessions with professionals and the team of CDF Aryabhatta. Remember, it’s sex, not shhh-ex!