The Hook Up

When it comes to preventing pregnancy, there are plenty of methods to choose from.

But if you’re over the pill or contraceptives that involve taking hormones, what are your options?

Dr Clare Boerma, Associate Medical Director at Family Planning NSW, joins Nat to lay out all the options, weigh up the pros and cons, and help you decide what's best for you.

Being in a new relationship can make you feel crazy… colours are brighter and you're all "heart-eyes emoji". All. The. Time.

But that New Relationship Energy — or NRE — usually won't last, so how do you enjoy it without losing yourself and your perspective?

It's a question Nat's been asking herself as she rides that intense "honeymoon phase" buzz of her new relationship, so she's got psychologist Gemma Cribb into the studio to answer all her questions.

Around two-thirds of same-sex attracted guys have experienced abuse in a relationship. But most of them aren't reporting it, or even talking about it.

That's what the Sorting It Out report, released by ACON and Western Sydney University, has found.

Nat examines a culture of silence, a lack of resources and looks at what needs to change.

Do you believe in soulmates? Are you looking for The One?

Out of eight billion people, the chances that there's one other person for you are pretty skint. But plenty of millennials are amping up their search for The One.

Dr Lauren Rosewarne and psychologist Melanie Khashadorian join Nat to debunk The One, talk soulmates and what the search for your "other half" can do to your relationships and mental health.

We all get tired of the whole dating game at times, but for people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), it’s a whole different level of exhaustion.

CFS/ME can leave a person with a whole bunch of symptoms — physical exhaustion, mental exhaustion and muscle fatigue being just a few.

Cat O Dowd, a sex therapist who lives with chronic fatigue syndrome, joins Nat to talk about navigating dating, relationships and sex around CFS/ME.

Have you ever dated someone for the perks? Free gig tickets? A sweet beach house? Maybe even a valid driver licence?

Heaps of people do it, so it can be tricky to know if someone’s with you for you — and not the perks.

Sexologist Amanda Lambros joins Nat to get right into that, plus why so many of us do it, even though we know it's wrong.

Have you heard of subspace?

It's very specific physical feeling — similar to a drug-like high — which you can enter through BDSM play. But it doesn't come without its risks.

Pro dominatrix Mistress Tokyo and holistic counsellor Bianca Wolff join Nat to talk all things subspace — what is it, how it works and how to get there safely.

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains stories of pain, violence and sexual assault. If it brings up any issues for you, call Lifeline on 13 14 11 or call 1800 RESPECT for 24/7 support.

Getting rejected absolutely sucks. It’s one of our absolute greatest fears when it comes to dating, but it’s also inevitable.

Psychologist Stephen Andrew and clinical psychologist Crysta Derham join Nat to talk dealing with rejection, how to dish it out gently and how to take it on the chin and get back in the dating game.

Belgian psychotherapist Esther Perel is a giant in the world of sex and relationships.

Her groundbreaking therapy work with couples around the globe, her writing and her unflinching podcast Where Should We Begin? have revealed the conflicts between our expectations and the reality of long-term human relationships and sexuality.

While in Australia as part of Vivid Live, Esther joined Nat in the studio to unpack — and rethink — everything we’ve come to assume about dating and relationships.

Does your partner sleep talk? Maybe they hog the covers. Or their snoring means you’re up all night.

Whatever it is, it’s stopping you from enjoying some precious shut-eye.

In this episode, Sleep Health Foundation's sleep physician Dr David Cunnington and psychotherapist Dr Zoë Krupka join Nat to hear about all your partners' annoying sleep habits, how to work on those issues and why we even feel the need to sleep together in the first place.