Health & Bodies

Gender Dysphoria is listed as a disorder, some experts want to change that

Some experts say classifying dysphoria in a manual of mental disorders creates stigma.

NZers are getting teeth removed because it's cheaper than fixing them

New report shows how much the dental care system is costing Aotearoa

What to expect when you stop smoking weed

“Nobody talks about how hard it is to stop."

Why you shouldn't feel ashamed about having herpes

Up to 80% of NZers catch herpes at some point in their lives, according to the NZ Herpes Foundation.

Breast cancer doesn't discriminate, I found out I had it at 27

“I’m going to fight this and I’m going to win”

Lube-shaming is a thing, but it doesn’t have to be

Why are some people being talked out of using lube during sex?

Māori are twice as likely to die from accidental drug overdose

The stigma on Māori using drugs can cause a “sense of shame”, a researcher says.

This 15-year-old is helping 150 kids train at the gym

FitTeens is a Pasifika-founded gym programme by and for teenagers.

Report shows worsening state of young people’s mental health

'Mental health requires a holistic approach and it’s so much bigger than just the sector.'

'Don't suffer alone': Managing mental health in a cost-of-living crisis

New survey shows rising costs are hurting Gen Z workers’ mental health.

The pain they didn’t expect: Patients speak out on IUD insertion

“It kind of destroyed my life in a lot of ways.”

Rising obesity and discrimination: What Asian NZers’ health looks like

Four facts from the latest health report about Asian New Zealanders.

Stop asking people if they’re going to have kids

“People put their own values onto us and think they know better for us.”

Racism impacts health, wellbeing and identity of rangatahi Māori

It shouldn't fall on young Māori to fight structural racism, researcher says.

'Sucked into the trap': How social media can impact body image

New research shows young people know social media can negatively shape the way they see themselves.

What it’s like to be a Māori midwife

"We’re the ones who represent the statistics, so we need our workforce to grow.”

Nangs to the door: the curious rise of NZ’s ‘whipped cream’ industry

Why the hell am I so aggressively being advertised whipped cream paraphernalia?

The growing trend of rough sex and choking among young people

‘How can you withdraw consent if you can’t breathe?’

NZers can't afford to keep their homes warm and it affects renters more

Renters are four to six times more likely to experience energy hardship.

Dental dams make oral sex safer. Why don’t we use them more?

If you’ve never heard of dental dams before, you’re not the only one.

‘Horrific stats’: Rangatahi rally for mental health at Parliament

Advocacy group Mental Health Matters Initiative presented the Government with nine calls to action.

Science has worked out why women are freezing at work

Spoiler it’s because of the patriarchy.

'Peeing hot shards of glass': Struggle to treat chronic UTIs

“Controversy and misinformation means patients are mistreated and suffer.”

Why NZ needs more Māori and Pasifika blood donations

"To give someone the ultimate koha and keep his memory alive is the greatest tribute."

Changes to gender and sexuality education: What’s in the guidelines?

What changes does the coalition government have in mind?

Period poverty: NZ company to supply period underwear in Gaza

“We have a space here to offer manaakitanga.”

Painful periods aren’t normal. This myth delayed my endometriosis diagnosis

“It’s just terrible how [the health sector] doesn’t really take women’s pain seriously.”

This film is the most realistic portrayal of sexual violence I’ve seen

Five things I took away from watching How To Have Sex

'The system is so binary’: How the software GPs use is harming queer patients

“The impact this lack of data storage has on patients is huge.”

More people using cocaine than meth: NZ drug use report

Five key takeaways from the NZ drug use report.