http://www.staghornsexology.com.au/

Staghorn Sexology, Blue Mountains, Blue Mountains National Park (2026)

26/08/2026

Pierced!

Body piercing has been part of human culture for centuries and today, piercings can be a form of self-expression, aesthetics, identity, or simply something that feels good to the person wearing them.

But how well do you know the different types?

👂 Body piercings
Ears, nose, eyebrow, lip, tongue, ni**le and navel piercings are among the most common. Different locations have different healing times and considerations.

🌸 Vulval piercings
There are several types, including Christina, vertical and horizontal cl****al hood, l***a and triangle piercings. Despite the name, cl****al hood piercings are placed through the hood tissue rather than through the cl****is itself.

🍆 Pe**le piercings
These include Prince Albert, frenum, apadravya and ampallang piercings. Placement varies considerably, with some passing through skin or the frenulum and others passing through the g***s.

🧿 Scrotal piercings
Piercings can also be placed through scrotal skin, although the anatomy and risks involved make careful professional placement particularly important.

💎 What about healing?
Ge***al piercings require the same basic principles as other piercings but the location means there can be additional considerations around:
• Infection
• Bleeding
• Irritation and migration
• Jewellery becoming embedded
• Tissue damage
• Healing time
• S*xual activity during healing

Not all piercings are created equal. Anatomy, jewellery choice, placement and individual healing all matter.

A few piercing basics
✨ Choose an experienced, reputable professional piercer.
✨ Make sure sterile, appropriate equipment is used.
✨ Follow the aftercare instructions you’re given.
✨ Don't rush back into s*xual activity while a piercing is healing. Friction, pressure and exposure to bodily fluids can increase irritation and infection risk.
✨ If you develop significant swelling, increasing pain, pus, fever, tissue breakdown or other concerning symptoms, seek medical advice.

And remember:
There's no single "right" way for a body to look. Piercings are another example of how people choose to express themselves through their bodies.

*xEducation

24/08/2026

Why do we blush when we're aroused?

Blushing is something most of us associate with embarrassment, but it can also happen as part of arousal.

When we're aroused, the body undergoes a whole range of automatic changes. Heart rate increases, blood flow changes, skin temperature can rise, and blood vessels near the surface of the skin can dilate.

The result?

That familiar flush. 🌡️

You might notice redness across the:
Face
Neck
Chest
Upper abdomen

This is sometimes referred to as the s*xual flush or s*x flush.

🧠 It's your autonomic nervous system at work
Arousal activates the autonomic nervous system (the same system responsible for many bodily responses we don't consciously control).

❤️ More than embarrassment
Blushing in a s*xual context doesn't necessarily mean someone is embarrassed. It can accompany excitement, anticipation, arousal, emotional intimacy or simply the physical changes that happen during s*xual activity.

🔥 It doesn't happen to everyone
Some people develop a noticeable flush, while others show very little visible change. Skin tone, temperature, individual physiology, hormones and medications can all influence how noticeable it is.

And, just like er****ons or lubrication, blushing isn't a reliable measure of someone's desire or consent. Your body can respond automatically to s*xual stimuli, but the only way to know how someone is actually feeling is to ask them.

So if you find yourself going a little red when you're aroused... Don't blush about blushing. 😳

It's just another fascinating example of the body responding to arousal.

*xualArousal *xEducation *xualHealth *xology *xualTherapy *xology

21/08/2026

It's S*x on Friday and tonight we're willing the w***y to work, and asking, does that really work?

It's one of the most common misconceptions about er****ons:
"If I try harder..."
"If I really want one, it should happen."

The truth is, er****ons aren't controlled by willpower. They're the result of several body systems working together. If just one isn't functioning optimally, an er****on may be more difficult to achieve or maintain.

Here's what needs to happen...

🩸 Blood vessels
An er****on begins with increased blood flow. The blood vessels dilate, allowing the erectile tissue to fill with blood while reducing the amount that flows back out.

⚡ Nerves
Messages travel between the brain, spinal cord and p***s. These nerve signals trigger the changes in blood flow that make an er****on possible.

🧬 Hormones
Hormones (like testosterone) play an important role in desire and erectile function. Changes due to ageing, illness or some medical conditions can affect how easily er****ons occur.

🧠 Psychology
Stress, anxiety, depression, relationship conflict, body image concerns, and previous negative s*xual experiences can all interfere with er****ons. The brain is one of the most important s*xual organs.

So why does "trying harder" often make things worse? Because pressure creates performance anxiety.

Instead of enjoying the moment, your attention shifts to questions like:
❓ "Is it happening yet?"
❓ "What if I lose my er****on?"
❓ "What will my partner think?"

This is known as spectatoring: monitoring your performance instead of experiencing pleasure.

The more you monitor, the more anxious you become. Anxiety activates the body's fight-or-flight response, making it harder for the blood vessels and nervous system to support an er****on.

Most people will experience er****on difficulties at some point in their lives. It doesn't mean you've "failed," you're not attracted to your partner, or that your s*x life is over. Understanding how er****ons work is the first step towards replacing self-criticism with self-compassion and accessing support to work it out.

Up next Friday: nipply nips

*xonfriday *xualhealth

19/08/2026

Why do er****ons happen during sleep?

Waking up with an er****on can be a little awkward... But sleep er****ons are completely normal and they don't necessarily mean you were having a s*xual dream.

In fact, most people with a p***s experience several er****ons throughout the night.

So what's going on?

🧠 It's your nervous system
During sleep, particularly during REM (rapid eye movement) sleep, the balance of activity in the autonomic nervous system changes. This can allow the blood vessels in the p***s to relax and increase blood flow.

🩸 More blood flow = er****on
An er****on occurs when blood flows into the erectile tissue of the p***s and is temporarily trapped there. This can happen without conscious s*xual stimulation.

😴 It can happen without s*xual thoughts
You don't need to be dreaming about s*x (or even dreaming at all) for an er****on to occur.

🚽 And it's not necessarily because you need to p*e
The old idea that morning er****ons are simply caused by a full bladder isn't quite right. A full bladder may sometimes contribute to stimulation of nearby nerves, but sleep-related er****ons are primarily associated with normal nervous system activity during sleep.

💪 They're also a useful sign of healthy function
Regular nocturnal er****ons can indicate that the nerves, blood vessels and erectile tissues are capable of functioning normally. However, their presence or absence alone isn't a definitive test of s*xual or erectile health.

And here's the important bit: An er****on doesn't automatically mean desire.

Just as er****ons can happen during sleep, they can happen in situations where someone isn't consciously feeling s*xually aroused.

Your p***s doesn't always wait for your brain to send an invitation. 🍆

So if you wake up with one? Congratulations. Your nervous system has been doing its overnight maintenance.

*xEducation *xualHealth *xology

17/08/2026

Why does the p***s curve?
Straight up? Pen*ses aren't necessarily meant to be straight.

A p***s can naturally curve up, down, left, right, or somewhere in between. And for many people, that’s simply normal anatomy.

So what causes it?

🧬 Natural anatomy
During an er****on, the erectile tissue fills with blood and expands. The structures on either side of the p***s don't always expand in exactly the same way, which can create a natural curve.

📐 Everyone is different
Just like noses, ears and fingers, p***ses come in different shapes and sizes. Some are almost completely straight, while others have a noticeable curve.

🍆 Curvature can change with an er****on
The direction and degree of curvature can sometimes look different depending on how erect the p***s is.

And here's something interesting... A curve isn't necessarily a problem.
If you've always had a particular shape, it's painless, and it doesn't interfere with s*xual activity, it's often just part of your anatomy.

But a new or worsening curve is worth getting checked, particularly if it's accompanied by:
⚠️ Pain during er****ons
⚠️ A noticeable lump or hard plaque
⚠️ A significant change in shape
⚠️ Difficulty with pe*******on or s*xual function

These can sometimes be signs of Peyronie's disease, where scar tissue develops within the p***s.

So, whether your 🍆 points north, south, east or west... There's no prize for perfectly straight.

*xualHealth *xEducation *xology

14/08/2026

It's S*x on Friday and tonight we're reading the brail on the cucumber as we debunk some myths around fordyce spots.

You notice tiny white, yellow, or skin-coloured bumps on your 🍆... Your first thought? "Is this an STI?"

In many cases, the answer is no. They may simply be Fordyce spots.

So, what are they?

🔍 Fordyce spots are visible sebaceous (oil) glands. Unlike most oil glands, they aren't attached to hair follicles. They're a completely normal part of human anatomy.

You might find them on:
• The shaft of the p***s
• The sc***um
• The l***a
• The inside of the cheeks
• The border of the lips

They're incredibly common. It's estimated that 70–80% of adults have them.

Fordyce spots are:
✅ Not an STI
✅ Not contagious
✅ Not caused by poor hygiene
✅ Usually painless
✅ A normal anatomical variation

Because they can appear on the ge****ls, they're often mistaken for conditions such as ge***al warts, molluscum contagiosum, or herpes. But unlike these conditions, Fordyce spots don't spread through s*xual contact and don't require treatment.

When should you get them checked?

If the bumps are:
⚠️ New or changing rapidly
⚠️ Painful or itchy
⚠️ Bleeding or ulcerated
⚠️ Associated with discharge or other symptoms
⚠️ You're simply unsure what they are

A healthcare professional can help determine whether they're Fordyce spots or something else.

Not every bump, spot, or lump on the ge****ls is an STI. Bodies have lots of natural variation, and understanding what's normal can save a lot of unnecessary worry. Knowledge reduces anxiety and body literacy starts with recognising what's normal.

Up next Friday: Can you believe it to achieve it?

*xeducation

12/08/2026

Your biggest s*x organ isn't between your legs... it's between your ears.

When we think about s*x it's easy to focus on the ge****ls but the most important s*xual organ in your body is actually your brain.

Your brain is where desire begins, where attraction is interpreted, and where touch becomes meaningful. It's constantly taking in information and deciding whether something feels exciting, safe, pleasurable, or not.

Here's just some of what your brain brings to your s*x life:

❤️ Emotion
Feeling connected, loved, safe or desired can enhance s*xual interest. On the other hand, feelings like resentment, anxiety, guilt or fear can make desire much harder to access.

🧠 Memory
Our previous experiences shape how we respond to intimacy. Positive memories can increase anticipation and pleasure, while painful, embarrassing or traumatic experiences can influence how safe s*x feels in the present.

💭 Fantasy
Fantasy is a normal part of human s*xuality. For many people, imagination helps create or enhance arousal and doesn't necessarily reflect what they want to do in real life.

😰 Stress
When your brain is focused on deadlines, finances, parenting, health concerns or relationship conflict, s*x often moves down the priority list.

That's because stress activates the body's fight, flight or freeze response, a system designed to keep us safe, not s*xually engaged.

This is why someone can say:
"I love my partner... but I just don't feel like s*x."

It doesn't necessarily mean the relationship is in trouble. Sometimes it means the brain is busy dealing with everything else.

Your brain is constantly weighing up two important questions:
🟢 Is this rewarding?
🔴 Is this safe?

When the answer to both is "yes," desire is much more likely to emerge. Understanding this can be incredibly freeing.

If your desire has changed, it doesn't automatically mean something is "wrong" with you. It may simply be your brain responding to your current life circumstances.

S*x isn't just about anatomy. It's about thoughts, emotions, memories, relationships, hormones, and context. Your body may be ready, but your brain always gets the final say.

*xeducation

10/08/2026

The Pelvic Floor: Everyone Has One

When people hear the words pelvic floor, many assume it's something only women need to think about.

The truth? Everyone has a pelvic floor.

The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that stretch like a hammock from the p***c bone to the tailbone. These muscles support your pelvic organs and play an important role in bladder, bowel and s*xual function.

Here's why they matter:

🚽 Continence
Your pelvic floor helps you control your bladder and bowels. When these muscles aren't working well, they can contribute to urinary leakage, faecal incontinence, or difficulty emptying the bladder or bowel.

🍆 Erections
In people with a p***s, the pelvic floor helps maintain er****ons by supporting blood flow and contributing to ej*******on. Weakness or dysfunction can sometimes play a role in erectile difficulties.

❤️ S*x and or**sm
The pelvic floor contracts rhythmically during or**sm. Healthy pelvic floor function can contribute to s*xual pleasure, while dysfunction may make s*x uncomfortable or less enjoyable.

⚡ Pain
Pelvic floor problems aren't always about weakness. Sometimes the muscles become too tight, overactive, or unable to relax. This can contribute to:
• Pain during s*x
• Pelvic pain
• Pain with tampon use or pelvic examinations
• Difficulty starting urination
• Constipation or painful bowel movements
• Pain after ej*******on
• Persistent tension in the pelvis

This is why "just do Kegels" isn't the answer for everyone.
For some people, strengthening exercises are helpful. For others, the priority is learning how to relax, lengthen and coordinate these muscles.

The pelvic floor is like any other muscle group in the body, it functions best when it has the right balance of strength, flexibility and relaxation.

If you're experiencing bladder, bowel, s*xual or pelvic pain symptoms, know that help is available. A pelvic health physiotherapist or other appropriately trained healthcare professional can assess what's actually happening, rather than assuming the muscles are simply "weak."

*xualHealth *xEducation *xology

07/08/2026

It's S*x on Friday and tonight we're reflecting on symmetry ... and how it's sometimes over-rated.

Ever noticed that one testicle hangs a little lower than the other?

Don’t worry, this is usually completely normal. In fact, it’s common for the left testicle to hang lower than the right (although some people are the opposite).

Why?

🩺 Space and movement
Having one testicle sit slightly lower helps reduce friction and allows the te**es to move more freely when walking, running, or sitting.

🌡️ Temperature control
The te**es work best when they are slightly cooler than body temperature. The sc***um uses muscles to move the te**es closer or further away from the body to help regulate temperature.

🧬 Anatomical variation
Just like ears, breasts, l***a, hands, and feet, bodies are rarely perfectly symmetrical. A difference in height, size, or position is often just normal human variation.

The testicles are also constantly adjusting:
⬆️ Cold weather → they move closer to the body
⬇️ Warmth or arousal → they relax lower

But changes are worth checking out. Seek medical advice if you notice:
⚠️ A new lump
⚠️ Sudden pain
⚠️ A rapid change in size
⚠️ A heavy or dragging sensation
⚠️ A sudden change in position

Your body doesn’t need to be perfectly symmetrical to be healthy.

Up next Friday: spots spots spots!

*xology *xualHealth *xEducation

05/08/2026

Wet doesn't always mean willing. Dry doesn't always mean disinterested.

One of the biggest myths about s*x is that our bodies always reflect how we feel.

They don't.

A person can be highly aroused and interested in s*x but have very little lubrication.

Equally, someone can experience ge***al lubrication or an er****on without feeling s*xually interested or wanting s*x.

This is called arousal non-concordance, the disconnect between what the body is doing and what the mind is experiencing.

Why does this happen?

🧠 The brain and ge****ls don't always work in sync.
Ge***al tissues can respond automatically to touch or s*xual stimuli, even when someone isn't mentally aroused. Likewise, someone can feel mentally excited while their body doesn't respond in the way they expect.

💊 Medications can affect lubrication.
Antidepressants (particularly SSRIs), antihistamines, hormonal contraceptives, and some other medications can reduce natural lubrication, even when desire is present.

🌸 Hormones play a role.
Menopause, breastfeeding, postpartum changes, menstrual cycle fluctuations, and gender-affirming hormone therapy can all influence lubrication. These changes don't automatically reflect a person's level of desire.

😰 Stress and anxiety matter too.
When the body is in "fight or flight" mode, arousal can become more difficult, even if the desire for intimacy is still there.

And perhaps the most important point...

Lubrication is not consent.

Someone's body may respond automatically to stimulation. That does not tell you whether they want s*x.

Likewise, a lack of lubrication does not mean someone isn't attracted to you or doesn't want intimacy.

Consent is communicated ... not inferred from bodies.

So instead of asking,
❌ "Were they wet?"

Ask,
✅ "Did they freely and enthusiastically agree?"

Bodies are wonderfully complex. The best way to understand someone's experience isn't by interpreting their body's responses but by listening to what they say.

*xEducation *xualHealth *xualTherapy *xology

Staghorn Sexology

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