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Medically Accurate

Our Data is Backed by Science.

AWKWARD is built on a foundation of rigorous, peer-reviewed clinical data. We do not rely on cultural myths, hearsay, or unverified opinions. Every statistic, protocol, and biological fact across our Wiki, Simulator, and Tracker is derived from the world's leading public health institutions.

STIs & Clinical Testing

CDC STI Treatment Guidelines, 2021

The definitive clinical protocol for the diagnosis, management, and treatment of sexually transmitted infections.

NIH: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Cervical Cancer

Epidemiological data on HPV transmission rates, oncogenic strains (16 and 18), and cellular dysplasia.

WHO: Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP)

Global guidelines on the administration and efficacy of PrEP for HIV prevention.

The Lancet: Undetectable equals Untransmittable (U=U)

Peer-reviewed validation of the U=U consensus, proving that virally suppressed HIV cannot be transmitted.

NEJM: Asymptomatic Shedding of Herpes Simplex Virus

Clinical research on the viral shedding rates of HSV-1 and HSV-2 in asymptomatic individuals.

Johns Hopkins Medicine: Sexually Transmitted Infections

Clinical overviews of bacterial vs viral STIs, including incubation window periods.

Reproductive Anatomy & Conditions

ACOG: Management of Endometriosis

Clinical guidelines on the diagnosis and treatment of endometrial tissue growth and associated pelvic pain.

Mayo Clinic: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Comprehensive pathology of PCOS, including hyperandrogenism and ovulatory dysfunction.

NIH: Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) Pathogenesis

Microbiome disruption analysis and its relation to vaginal flora imbalances.

Planned Parenthood: Sexual Anatomy

Accessible, anatomically accurate educational resources on male, female, and intersex reproductive systems.

ACOG: Menstruation in Girls and Adolescents

Medical standards for evaluating the menstrual cycle as a vital sign.

Contraception & Pharmacology

FDA: Birth Control Guide

Regulatory efficacy rates and pharmacological mechanisms for all FDA-approved contraceptives.

WHO: Intrauterine Devices (IUDs)

Clinical efficacy profiles comparing copper and levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine systems.

ACOG: Emergency Contraception

Efficacy timelines for ulipristal acetate (Ella) and levonorgestrel (Plan B) relative to BMI and ovulation.

Guttmacher Institute: Contraceptive Use

Statistical demographic data on contraceptive failure rates with typical vs. perfect use.

Consent & Behavioral Psychology

APA: Trauma and Tonic Immobility

Psychological research detailing the involuntary sympathetic nervous system 'freeze' response during assault.

Planned Parenthood: FRIES Framework

The standard educational framework for consent (Freely given, Reversible, Informed, Enthusiastic, Specific).

Psychology Today: Boundary Setting

Behavioral strategies for communicating interpersonal boundaries and mitigating guilt or coercion.

CDC: Sexual Violence Prevention

Public health approaches to understanding and dismantling rape culture and coercive behaviors.

Legal & Ethical Frameworks

ACLU: Reproductive Freedom

Legal precedents and advocacy concerning bodily autonomy and access to reproductive healthcare.

Guttmacher Institute: Minors' Access to Healthcare

State-by-state legal frameworks regarding adolescent consent to STI testing and contraception.

Nolo: The Legality of 'Stealthing'

Emerging legal consensus treating nonconsensual condom removal as sexual battery or assault.

HHS: HIPAA Privacy Rule

Federal protections regarding the privacy of medical records, including reproductive and sexual health data.

Disclaimer: The information provided by AWKWARD is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.