Hi Juliaho90, yes, the article The Buddy System: Effectiveness Rates for Backing Up Your Birth Control With a Second Method shows you the math on how this works. Using two methods together, even when highly effective on their own, reduce the risk of pregnancy even more, as the chance of both methods...

Hi confusedhuman, firstly, congratulations on being vaccinated! Secondly, I'd just like to say that I'm sorry that we still live in a society where trans and gender diverse people have to manage other's discomfort around accessing facilities that conform to their gender identity, despite this access...

Hi Juliaho90, yes, there's no need to add more methods, you're doing great :) Using withdrawal in addition to the pill and a condom isn't really adding anything (its like diminishing returns if you're familiar with the concept from economics), so if you prefer to keep doing that you can, however if ...

Hello potatochipeater - just chiming in here to add another couple of titles to these great recs from Heather, Sam W and boosterseat: Mady G. and J.R. Zuckerberg: A Quick and Easy Guide to Queer and Trans Identities (a comic book that would suit teens, including younger teens). Yumi Stynes, Dr. Meli...

Hi Juliaho90, It sounds like you and your boyfriend are being really mindful about safer sex, which is great. We are strong proponents of combining two methods of contraceptives, called the The Buddy System . Whilst no method of birth control can be 100% effective, combining two methods brings you a...

Hi girlplayer34, I am hearing two themes arising in your latest reply: 1. your question about the dynamics of a sexual relationship between a partner who hasn't had sexual experiences before and a partner who has; and 2. feelings of anxiety around sex that you experience. To start with the first par...

Hi nerd., You've identified something really salient here which is that it is extra hard when the people you should be able to trust most in the world, who were as you so well put it "your person" and also should love you unconditionally fall far from that reality in validating you and cre...

Hi Wave, sperm cannot cause pregnancy when it comes into contact with objects like you identify because they are really fragile cells, and need really specific conditions in which to survive (those conditions are found in vaginal canal, and nowhere else in nature). If sperm aren't ejaculated into th...

Hi there kdksksk, we've received both you messages and you'll be able to see them in the thread now. New users' first few posts need to be approved and there was a bit of time between you posting and the next person coming online. To your question, it sounds like spending a couple more days to see h...

Hi there Juliaho90, Yes, you are right, pills aren't considered late until 12 hours after the time you would usually take it. On taking it 2 hours early as you described, that is fine too, as you can see in our article here: Birth Control Bingo: The Combination Pill , taking the pill within the same...

Hi nerd., I'm really sorry to hear that you're dealing with this situation with your parents, and that the pandemic is making things more difficult. With regards to your Mom, how do you think it would go if you asked her if you could have your own bank account? If you get money via an allowance or b...

Hi there an0nb4be, welcome to Scarleteen. Firstly, with regards to your experience in your changing response to masturbation, this is really normal. Novelty can be one of the things that contributes to arousal, when that begins to fade (as all novelty does when we do something a similar way more tha...

Hi FestiveFestoon, I'm really glad we were able to provide some support and reassurance and you are taking these next steps! I saw in your reply to Mo that you weren't sure about accessing Medicare. Having it sorted will help you access free healthcare, so here is some info on that, and how the ment...

Hi there FestiveFestoon, a therapist would be a great person to speak with regarding your self harm, and also to assist you with handling these really hard feelings to deal with and not something you should need to deal with alone. I understand that it can feel really intimidating and a like it woul...

Hi flores2231, I'm sorry to hear that you are feeling about yourself in this way. Firstly, please rest assured that the situation you're describing does not fit the definition of child-on -child sexual abuse; firstly, the situation you describe is a normal one among children this age, they get curio...

Hi there, chiming in here to agree with Mo, the best thing you can do now is work on managing your anxiety, the Anxiety and Other Mental Health Resources. can really help you ground yourself, and try to return to what you know is true from the resources linked as you've been doing. Sorry to hear tha...

Hi there Whimsy_Clover, and welcome to Scarleteen! Yes, the vagina cleans and regulates itself with the secretions it makes, and the whole vulva area is best cleaned with a gentle unscented soap, so you're doing great there. The inner thighs are a bit further away, however best to stay with gentle p...

Hi Spider_Queen! Good news is that there is an option separate to underwear specifically designed for tucking as you heard about, it's called a “gaff”. A gaff is an undergarment that you can wear untucked (also works tucked when you want to do it); it helps you position your genitals in a way to cre...

Hi Hel, I'm sorry to hear that you're feeling quite distressed at the moment. It sounds like, reading your other posts, that you boyfriend has been responding quite well and in a supportive way to your discussions and communication, and also that the events you are describing (not responding to the ...

Hi there Anonymous786, sorry to hear that you're having a difficult time with you anxiety and feeling distressed. Its a really rough space to be in. I can see from your prior threads that anxiety about this topic is something that you have been dealing with for a while; it can take a while to work t...

Hi Dreamlore, very glad to hear that these resources have been useful and that you're finding good tools to manage your anxieties whilst you're waiting to start with a therapist. Just in case you find it useful, I wanted to reassure you that being sexually active in and of itself doesn't impart a go...

Hi snailprince, firstly let me just say that I am really sorry to hear that your ex treated you in these ways and that you experienced these things. Yes, the manipulative and coercive behaviours you describe your ex doint are kinds of abuse. Putting this word to experiences we have had can bring up ...

Hi themoonandstars, It sounds like you're having difficulty finding a way to experience pleasure from both partnered and solo sex, which can be really frustrating. This is a really common experience for many people, so first please be assured that your body is normal and you are not at all alone in ...

Hi Dreamlore, thank you for reaching out to us here and sorry to hear that you are experiencing such acute distress around this. You are taking a great first step in recognising your anxiety, getting yourself in a waiting list for therapy and seeking informed advice. In the scenarios that you descri...

Hi jenny01, Sounds like you're starting to work out what works for you in terms of arousal already! In terms of exploring this further, you might find some articles I'll list at the bottom of this post to be useful. It can be useful to remember also that your stress levels, sense of safety and priva...