Hi busylizzie, That doesn't sound like something that would impact the efficacy of your pill. Everyone has slightly different bowel tendencies; soft stool is not a problem, only, like you said, "serious diarrhea," which is usually accompanied by other symptoms like nausea and cramping. So ...

Hi tasha, Emergency contraception can have all different kinds of effects on bleeding: a period/withdrawal bleed may be early, or it may be late; it may be heavier than normal, or it may be lighter. So there's no way to really predict what will happen for you. Also, a period and withdrawal bleed are...

Hi Madison, To give an example similar to Sam's, I fell in love for the first time when I was 14, and I believed that he was "the one." He was the first person I had sex with, and we were together throughout most of high school. We would talk about getting married, our future life and even...

Hi Dandelion, I'm so sorry to hear that you're having a rough time. I know you've been through a lot and it must be exhausting to carry such a heavy burden. As for your period, stress can definitely contribute to a late period, although it's not considered late until 5 days after the day you expecte...

Hey findingme, Glad you asked. :) Your body is changing literally every day, and will continue to do so for the rest of your life. That's why obsessing about your looks at any given point (whether in a positive or negative way) is never practical, let alone mentally healthy. Here's a piece about sel...

With combined pills (which is probably what you take, unless it is specifically labeled as pregesterone only or "mini pill"), you have a 12-hour "safe window" before a pill is considered late. So even if you are engaging in activities that pose pregnancy risk, you can consider yo...

Hi again Olivia, Sorry if my replies in chat did not reassure you, but your risk really is low to non-existent. Pre-ejaculate itself contains very few sperm, if any (close to zero if your partner has urinated recently before intercourse). Since the condom only slipped down (not all the way off), you...

FanndisTS: I'd also recommend seeing a doctor-- they can assess physical as well as mental health, can counsel you to some extent, and can prescribe anti-depressant medications if that is something you two agree would be a good option. During particularly rough times, I've found that medication can ...

"This Year" by The Mountain Goats is one of my go-to songs! Really anything by them. "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey is a guilty pleasure/mood booster for me, as is "World's Greatest" by R. Kelly. "i" by Kendrick Lamar is great too. I also feel that it's imp...

Also, here's some more info on herpes if you want to read up on it!
The STI Files: Herpes

On herpes stigma: This is About Genital Herpes

On safer sex: HPV & Herpes: Why Safer Sex Isn't Always Safe Enough

Hi dpaddict! Welcome to the Scarleteen message boards! It sounds to me like step one for you should be making an appointment with your regular doctor or finding a health clinic in your area where you can get screened for STIs, including genital herpes (they may not run the blood test since you have ...

Hi rainbowhooves, Drug stores like Walgreens sell a variety of over-the-counter vaginal anti-itch creams that you could try. Itching and irritation can be caused by an infection, but not always. Either way, avoid irritants down there, like antibacterial soap, condoms (and intercourse in general, for...

Hi rosegarden, Here's an article that will likely address your concerns: First Intercourse 101 The short answer is: make sure you are fully aroused and lubricated (using lube is always a good idea! Even lubricated condoms often do not have enough lube on them), and go slowly. Make sure you both feel...

I have an IUD and I've found that the best position for checking the strings is squatting on the floor (feet flat, hips/butt below knees), which effectively shortens the distance between the vaginal opening and the cervix. My strings barely poke out past my cervix, so if I reach into my vagina stand...

Spotting (brown discharge = blood) is a normal side effect of hormonal birth control, especially within the first few months of starting a new hormonal method.

Hi Hearth, Acne is not considered one of the common side effects of the paragard IUD, but it likely won't help with acne either since it doesn't contain any hormones. If you ultimately decide that the paragard is the right choice for you, consider talking with your doctor about other ways to manage ...

That's correct. Becoming pregnant requires a lot of things to go right, and the scenario you described simply would not be a situation that would allow all of those things to happen. Sperm need to be present in sufficient quantity (not just a little moisture on someone's finger!) and in the right en...

Hi Dolly, I know we have addressed your anxieties around HIV transmission in the past. Here is some information from the CDC that should ease your anxieties: http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/basics/transmission.html The events that you are describing do not involve the direct exchange of blood or sexual fluid...

Birth control does control your cycle.... using the same hormones your body naturally produces; so yes your body is still subject to the same kinds of fluctuations due to other systemic processes occurring in the body. Also, doctors believed for a long time (many still might, if they're not up to da...

Chance of pregnancy is low as long you have been taking your birth control pills correctly, or abstaining from activities that pose risk of pregnancy. Taking amoxicillin has no effect on pregnancy risk, and shouldn't have an effect on your withdrawal/breakthrough bleeding. However, bodies respond in...

After a negative pregnancy test and multiple menstrual periods, you can be confident that pregnancy is NOT the issue here. But given the troubling medical symptoms, I would recommend medical attention ASAP. In the meantime, please read this article thoroughly: You're Not Pregnant. Why Do You think Y...

Hi there, Do you know any other gay, bi or otherwise queer or questioning people? Or know of any groups in your school or community that provide support for queer and questioning youth? Community, acceptance, and support are so, so important when dealing with questions and feelings about sexuality a...

Ok great! Glad we were able to clear that up. Also, if you ever have specific medical questions that we may not be able to answer, you can most likely email your doctor (or contact her electronically in some way) to ask the question without having to make an appointment.

Hmm.. Perhaps you can start with writing a letter to her? That way you can make sure to say exactly what you want, and she can have time to process and revisit your words to be sure she is understanding them. When it comes to conversation around sensitive issues, focus on "I" statements li...

The exact cause of your cramping is something to consult with a doctor about. It might not even be related to your uterus-- cramping of the bowels can occur in a similar location and feel much like menstrual cramps. Regardless of what is causing the cramps, they certainly do not indicate that the pi...