Quick answer: Dr Ed is a free AI health educator from the nonprofit Dr Sex Ed. People ages 13+ (under 13 with a parent’s consent) can text or video chat with Dr Ed any time at drsexed.ai to get clear, evidence-based, judgment-free answers about their bodies, health and relationships, with no password or sign-up. Dr Ed is an educator, not a doctor, and points people to professional care and crisis lines when they need more than information.
Everyone has a question they’ve been too embarrassed to ask. Maybe it’s about a symptom, a test, a relationship, or a body change no one warned you about. Maybe you searched online and found ads, myths and scary forums. Dr Ed was built for exactly that moment.
What is Dr Ed?
Dr Ed is an AI-powered health educator created by Dr Sex Ed, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Think of Dr Ed as a knowledgeable, friendly educator who’s available around the clock and never makes you feel awkward for asking.
- Free: text chat is free, and video chat includes free minutes.
- No sign-up: no password or account needed to start.
- Judgment-free: every question is welcome.
- Evidence-based: answers draw on trusted public health sources such as the CDC, ACOG and MedlinePlus.
- Nonprofit: no ads, and we’re not selling your attention.
- For ages 13+, with a parent’s consent under 13.
What can you ask Dr Ed?
Dr Ed covers the full range of health education topics people ask about, including:
- STI testing: what tests involve, how often to get them, and where to go. (See also How Often Should You Get Tested for STIs?)
- Birth control: how different methods work and what to ask a provider. (See Contraception Options)
- Consent and relationships: communication, boundaries and recognizing warning signs.
- Women’s health: periods, gynecology visits, perimenopause and menopause.
- Parenting: how to talk to your kids about puberty, bodies and consent.
- LGBTQ+ health: inclusive, affirming information for everyone.
How Dr Ed works
- Go to drsexed.ai and tap “Talk to your educator now.”
- Choose text or video. Pick an avatar you’re comfortable with.
- Ask anything. Dr Ed answers in plain language.
- Get next steps. When a question needs a clinician, Dr Ed says so and suggests where to turn.
If you’re in crisis, Dr Ed shares emergency resources, including 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline), RAINN and 911.
Can an AI really give good health information?
It’s a fair question. AI tools can be wrong, and health information needs care. Here’s what the research and our design choices say.
What studies show
In a 2023 study in JAMA Internal Medicine, licensed health care professionals compared chatbot answers and physician answers to real patient questions posted on a public forum. Evaluators preferred the chatbot responses in 78.6% of evaluations and rated them higher for both quality and empathy (Ayers et al., 2023). The authors cautioned that the study didn’t assess accuracy in clinical use and that AI should support, not replace, clinicians.
How we built Dr Ed responsibly
- Education, not diagnosis. Dr Ed explains, informs and refers. It doesn’t diagnose or prescribe.
- Evidence-based. Answers draw on trusted public health sources.
- Clear limits. Dr Ed tells you when to see a provider.
- Crisis safeguards. Crisis resources appear when they’re needed.
- Age-appropriate access. Dr Ed is for ages 13 and up; children under 13 need a parent’s consent. We also offer classroom programs and parent resources.
Tips for getting the most out of Dr Ed
- Be specific. “How often should someone in their 20s get tested?” gets a more useful answer than “Tell me about testing.”
- Ask follow-ups. If something isn’t clear, ask Dr Ed to explain it more simply or give an example.
- Ask for questions to bring to your appointment. Dr Ed can help you prepare a short list for your doctor or nurse.
- Ask about trusted sources. Dr Ed can point you to organizations such as the CDC, ACOG and MedlinePlus for further reading.
- Use it for practice. Rehearse a hard conversation, like talking to a partner about testing or to your child about puberty.
What Dr Ed won’t do
Dr Ed won’t diagnose a condition, prescribe medication or replace an exam. It won’t shame you for asking. And it won’t try to sell you anything. If you have symptoms, an injury or an urgent concern, please contact a health care provider or call 911.
Why Dr Ed matters
People need a safe place to ask
Many adults never received thorough health education. Only about half of U.S. adolescents in recent national data reported receiving formal sex education (Hawkins, JOGNN 2024), and only 26 states require that it be medically accurate (Guttmacher). Those gaps follow people into adulthood.
Embarrassment keeps people from care
Stigma and fear of judgment are barriers to testing and treatment, according to the CDC (CDC). A private, judgment-free first step can make it easier to take the next one, like booking a test or talking to a doctor.
The need is real
The CDC counted more than 2.2 million STI cases in 2024 (CDC), and about 1 in 8 people with HIV in the U.S. don’t know their status (CDC). Accurate information is one of the most important tools we have.
Dr Ed is free because of donors. Keep it free.
There are no ads and no subscriptions behind Dr Ed. Gifts from people like you keep it running, up to date and available to anyone with a question.
Donate securely with Givebutter →
Prefer a different checkout? You can also give through Zeffy. Monthly gifts are welcome on either platform.
Dr Sex Ed (DR SEX ED AI UNIVERSITY INC) is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit, EIN 33-4612296. Gifts are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
More from Dr Sex Ed
Dr Ed is one part of our mission. We also run classroom programs for grades 6–12, educator training and parent workshops. Explore our programs, free resources and blog, or learn about us.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dr Ed free?
Yes. Text chat with Dr Ed is free, and video chat includes free minutes. Dr Ed is funded by donations to Dr Sex Ed, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
Do I need to sign up to use Dr Ed?
No. You don’t need a password or an account to start chatting with Dr Ed.
Is Dr Ed a doctor?
No. Dr Ed is an AI health educator, not a doctor or licensed provider. It provides education and refers you to professional care when needed.
Who can use Dr Ed?
Dr Ed is for ages 13 and up, and children under 13 can use it with a parent’s consent. Dr Sex Ed also offers classroom programs and resources for parents and educators.
Where does Dr Ed’s information come from?
Dr Ed is built to give evidence-based health education drawn from trusted public health sources, and it points you to a health care provider for personal medical advice.
How can I support Dr Ed?
Make a one-time or monthly donation through Givebutter or Zeffy. Every gift helps keep Dr Ed free.
Sources
- Ayers JW, et al. Comparing Physician and Artificial Intelligence Chatbot Responses to Patient Questions Posted to a Public Social Media Forum. JAMA Intern Med. 2023. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2023.1838
- Hawkins. Expansion of Comprehensive Sexuality Education. JOGNN. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogn.2023.11.011
- Guttmacher Institute. Sex and HIV Education. https://www.guttmacher.org/state-policy/explore/sex-and-hiv-education
- CDC. STI Health Equity. https://www.cdc.gov/sti/php/projects/health-equity.html
- CDC. STI Surveillance 2024 (Provisional). https://www.cdc.gov/sti-statistics/annual/index.html
- CDC. HIV Surveillance Supplemental Report, 2018–2022. https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/156513