Rachael Rose

Hi there! I’m Rachael Rose (she/her) and I’m a Certified Sex & Relationship Coach and Educator. I’m also chronically ill/disabled, queer, neurodivergent (ADHD), and polyamorous. Learn more about my coaching services, workshops, and sex education work at: Hedonish.com

If your cycle makes your ADHD harder to manage, it's not just you! Hormone fluctuations especially estrogen, exacerbate ADHD symptoms and impacts sleep, memory, mood, and the dopamine reward system. If you have #ADHD and menstruate, how do you feel those factors affect you?

I often get asked "when should you disclose your chronic illness." Truth: there is no "should"—everyone is comfortable at their own pace. But letting people know up front allows people who wouldn't be a good fit for you anyone opt out before you waste your time on them.

For folks with vulvas, yeast infections are very common and there’s a very long list of things that can contribute to you having one. In fact, statistically, you’re more “normal” if you DO get a yeast infection than if you never have one. hedonish.com/yeast-infectio…

Give yourself the same love and kindness that you share with the world. . What's one compliment you can give yourself today? . [ALT TEXT: Everytime You Compliment Someone Else, Give Yourself One Too]

This is something I've thought about countless times since my friend said it because he's completely right. My partner and others close to me always know when I'm sick/having an allergic reaction even when I'm putting on an Oscar-winning performance as a "healthy" person.

You're not broken, burden, or any "luckier" to be in a relationship then anyone else is. Knowing these things aren't true might not change you believing them, but being aware of how these thoughts can impact our actions can help us better step in for ourselves when they come up.

Lube makes sex better (yes, really). You can fuck longer without getting sore, it reduces friction and the odds of a condom/barrier breaking, and it feels better! Needing lube, or wanting it, isn't shameful—it's normal!

What's the last thing you thought about your body? Was it kind? If not, it's time to start paying your body the respect it deserves. . Self love is critical in day to day life. I challenge you to give yourself 3 compliments (or more) TODAY!

Lube makes sex better (yes, really). There's a lot of lubes on the market, and many contain ingredients you'll want to avoid, but here's a quick overview of the types of lubes available on the market. For more sex ed content, visit: hedonish.com

Bisexual individuals often experience #biphobia from both LGBTQ+ and heterosexual folks, and statistically have higher rates of mental and physical health issues and substance abuse than monosexual folks (heterosexual/gay/lesbian).

Enjoying the graphics I've been sharing? See them all—and more—in one place by following me on Instagram! instagram.com/hedonish

Most of us don’t have the $1000's needed to access medical/ scientific research the journals. But while there are countless ways that money is a barrier to getting proper medical care, getting ahold of the research info you need isn't: hedonish.com/free-journal-a…

Don’t assume because you can’t smell it that it can’t make someone sick. People tell me I'll be fine because they only put on a little perfume or body lotion, or they assume that because they don't smell something that means it won’t have an effect on me. hedonish.com/accessibility-…

Don't have a WAP? No worries—store bought is just as great! There's so much unnecessary stigma around using lube, but here's the truth: there are almost countless reasons why someone might not be wet (check out my other post to read more about this!)

Include visibly and invisibly #disabled in any conversations around inclusivity and diversity—disabled people exist in all other marginalized communities too!

Is your ADHD harder to manage around your period? You aren't imagining things...because it actually is. Estrogen exacerbates ADHD symptoms while also affecting other contributing factors like sleep, verbal memory, mood, and the dopamine reward system.

There's no right way to open up a relationship, no right way to be in a relationship, and no timeline that things are "supposed to" happen on. Figuring out what's right for you and being honest and upfront with your partner(s) is a good place to start. hedonish.com/6-tips-opening…

All teenagers should have access to sex/HIV education that is medically accurate and can help them make informed decisions moving forward. Read more about the topic, and what can be done to make change here: guttmacher.org/fact-sheet/abs… .

If you don't fall into one of these stats now, you almost definitely will in the future. And all of these statistics can impact your sex life too, whether it seems obvious or not. Fighting for better healthcare, better sex ed, and accessibility improves things for everyone.

Here's yet another reason you might have gotten misdiagnosed as an AFAB person w/ #ADHD: Dr. Ellen Littman says, "Hormones also mediate the emotional volatility of adolescent girls, exacerbating observable anxiety and depression, which can easily lead to misdiagnosis."