I have done some research for self-defense classes in my area. I've contacted a few places, so I know where to go in the future. For now, between juggling a job, a family, and being a couple months from getting a bachelor's degree, I'm going to have to put it on the backburner. In the mean time, I'v...

You're correct that I have my guard up in some places more than others. Bars, clubs, at night, ect--I am more reserved then. My guard was not up at all while grocery shopping in the middle of the day. I think that is part of why the interaction was so upsetting--because it happened somewhere I previ...

I'm not a teenager--actually, I'm a 26 year old married woman. However, I was targeted by a sexual predator at the grocery store earlier today. I feel furious, anxious, and frustrated at how I responded to the situation. I have not told my husband about the experience yet, because I need time to pro...

Yep, makes sense. Thank you for the replies!

Vaginal application gels or foams are meant to be used before intercourse occurs. However, I was wondering if they reduce pregnancy risk at all, if applied soon after intercourse? I haven't been able to find any info--is it that no studies have been done on the matter? Thanks!

I definitely have a lower sex drive than my partner. He'd love to have sex every day, whereas I prefer it a few times a week. I am extremely attracted to him, but my sex drive has never been really strong. I am mostly motivated to have sex because I want to be close to him and because I enjoy seeing...

I will let the pros address your full post, but I do have a suggestion. If possible, it might be helpful for you to set up an appointment with a dietitian. A good dietitian can help guide you through the struggle of health, weight, and body image. Most of the diets out there are not good for you (pl...

I think it would not be a good idea, or a good experience, to go and have sex so you have experience like your friends. My advise would be to work on your feelings of self-consciousness about being a virgin. There's a TON of pressure for people to be able to boast "sexual experience" and t...

I've always been, as people put it, very picky about choosing a partner. Currently I am in a marriage and plan to be exclusive with only that person. Before dating my spouse, I had never been in a relationship. Lots of different guys asked me, but most of them made me uncomfortable, and I had no pro...

Just to provide a different perspective: I am also religious, and believe in waiting until marriage. Today's society has largely turned away from abstinence until marriage. For those of us who have that belief, that makes it really really hard to maintain it! So you are definitely not alone in strug...

Step aside people, I've gotta get up on my soapbox. I quit shaving about 6/7 years ago. If body hair wasn't natural and normal for women, we wouldn't grow it! So much judgement is put on women based on whether or not they have a little fuzz on their legs or arms, and it's ridiculous. I've gotten use...

I used to have a list of "deal-breakers" for dating. If a guy did anything on the list, I promised myself I would not date him. On one hand, the list was sensible, but at the same time it was very black-and-white and left no room for a situation in which I might change my worldview. My SO ...

I did my research on birth control methods a long time in advance. I am terrible about remembering to take pills--I've been on a medication for years, and I forget to take it about once or twice a week (luckily, since the medicine builds up in my system, a one or two day lapse is not enough for symp...

I got engaged recently, and my fiance and I have examined a lot of "things" surrounding engagement and marriage which seem absolutely ridiculous. For instance, as you stated, the diamond (or otherwise super-expensive) ring. Why is it a thing that a man is supposed to give up months' worth ...

I got most of my sex-ed because of my parents. In my middle school health class, all we did was look at pictures of diseased genitals. In high school, some lady came in and gave a speech about why abstinence was best. So, virtually none of my education was formal. I had very open parents, however, w...

I did some additional research and found out that I have been ovulating over the past couple days. I suspect that has a lot to do with the increase in spotting. At any rate, yes, I feel fine to wait until my March 29 appointment. Thanks!

I had Mirenia inserted two weeks ago. Since then, I have had a small amount of daily spotting, and cramps that have slowly decreased in length and frequency. Now, the cramps are almost completely gone--only occasional twinges of it. However, in the past two days, the amount of spotting has increased...

My boyfriend and I talk a lot about sex and sexuality, because our experiences and beliefs surrounding it are fairly different. Our discussions help us understand one another and meet each other's needs--and besides that, they're really interesting! Some background: I come from a religious family an...

I'm definitely looking forward to Halloween. Also, Thanksgiving Break! In the longer term, I'm looking forward to marrying my boyfriend. I've got to graduate before that becomes realistic. We have decided not to engage in any kind of sexual activity until after marriage. That being said, we talk abo...

Nope, but thanks for the link! This is actually a lot simpler than the one I had in mind, which is nice.

I came here a while ago asking about birth control. My question was answered, but it led me to do some research, specifically on condoms. I found a website... I THINK I found the link through Scarleteen, but I don't remember. At any rate, the site had a condom sizing chart that suggested different t...

When I moved to my cousin's state, he introduced me to all his friends, and they quickly became my friends as well. One of them was a guy he went to high school with--he invited this guy, along with other friends, over to my apartment to celebrate Halloween. We were all watching cartoons together an...

I have a friend who swears it is dangerous to swim in a lake or other body of water while on your period, because you can get an infection. This sounds completely crazy and illogical to me, especially since I have gone swimming in lakes while on my period many, many times over the years! Out of curi...

I think the friendship is more important to Ann, then it is to me. When she and I first met online, she had a lot of struggles and she really leaned on me to cope. Over time, she started telling me I was her best friend. And I just went along with it. Back then, I was one of her only supports. Both ...

I met my roommate, "Ann", over facebook 7 years ago. At the time, we lived in different states, and our friendship was online. I moved to her state a couple years ago for college, but we still lived far apart, and the friendship continued online. A year after settling in this way, my onlin...