The pill works by doing several things over the course of the whole three weeks of active pills: it overrides your natural menstrual cycle at several different stages. If you stop taking them in the middle of the pack or miss one or more pills, then you're interrupting that overriding effect the pil...

We can definitely talk about those things, and based on your post above it sounds like you're feeling conflicted and under some pressure to make certain choices. To start though, maybe you could walk me through your decision-making process this last time you had sex? How did you arrive at the decisi...

Some people are sensitive or allergic to certain ingredients in lube, and it sounds like that might be the case here. It's definitely worth trying out a few different brands, since not all water-based lubes contain the same ingredients, and it's pretty unlikely that you would have the same reaction ...

For combined pills (two kinds of hormones) a pill isn't considered late until it's at least 12 hours past the time you would normally take it. A missed pill is one that's taken at least 24 hours after you would normally take it. So if you usually take your pill at 8 pm, then it wouldn't be late unle...

It's understandable that you're having a tough time making this decision: it sounds like there's a lot on your mind, but unfortunately you are the only one who can decide what to do. There's no need to apologise to anyone here; our job is to help you figure out what might be best for you, whatever d...

To the best of my knowledge, it isn't legal for any store in any state to sell sex toys to minors.

Brown discharge can happen for a couple of different reasons. Sometimes spotting can look brown, if it's blood that's been hanging around in the uterus for a while making its way out. It can also be due to infection, or it could be a bit of blood from an abrasion or scratch which often happens from ...

Hi Myrtle, and welcome to Scarleteen. It's completely normal to be interested in sex and want a sexual partner, and it's nothing to feel guilty about. (Masturbation isn't anything to feel guilty about either!) When you say you want to have sex, though, is there a particular person you have in mind t...

Without tracking your cervical mucus and basal temperature daily for several months, there's no way to know for sure if you're ovulating, and changes in discharge aren't always due to ovulation anyways. If it would make you feel better, you can use a backup method for the next week or so - condoms a...

It's great that your therapist is aware of your worries about the pill, and that it's on the agenda for your next appointment. As far as changing your sex life goes, you're right, it is kind of unfair that your anxiety-brain won't let you just enjoy sex without worry, because yes, sex ideally is som...

Unfortunately, it's pretty clear from where I'm sitting that this person is not a safe partner. Doing anything sexual to you that you don't want is forcing himself, and I'm so sorry you had to go through that. Giving in to something because he kept asking isn't the same as giving consent, and a good...

No need to apologise, or be embarrassed: this isn't about you being annoying or irritating, it's about all of us here doing our best to ensure that we're giving you the best help we can.

Would you like to talk about either of the things I mentioned in my last post?

That's correct: I do not think you have anything to worry about here. However, one thing that we know about anxiety is that it can interfere with our ability to absorb and accept facts, and continuing to seek out facts and information (and reassurance that those facts are correct) isn't actually hel...

From what you've said, it doesn't sound like there was any extra lube used - is that right? Applying a bit of water-based lube before intercourse (and adding more as necessary) can make a big difference in everyone's comfort, and really reduces the chances of bleeding happening from too much frictio...

At this point, I'm not sure what else we can say that we haven't already told you: I and other staff here have made it clear that we do not think there is cause for concern with this particular antibiotic and the pill, and you have heard that from your sexual health clinic and multiple pharmacists. ...

Hi Anomaly: I hope it's okay if I jump in here. I'm sure Mo and/or Sam will have more to say, but I just wanted to mention that as awful as I imagine it feels not to have any love from your mother, it does sound like there are people who love you. Your friends, for instance, online and off, seem lik...

That's a tough spot to be in: I'm sorry they aren't supportive of your relationship! Since it sounds like going through them could be difficult, can I ask if it would be possible for you to find a sexual health clinic (like Planned Parenthood or something similar) and get a prescription on your own?...

Hi, Jellowl.

The idea that masturbating too much (especially with a vibrator) will cause a loss of sensitivity just isn't true. The only thing that can cause a loss of feeling is an injury that's severe enough to cause nerve damage, and using a vibrator isn't going to do that.

A petition sounds like a good start. If there's any kind of support we can give you around this, let us know!

It absolutely is, and I'm so sorry your school isn't supportive. If you're up for it, do you think it might be worth trying to get some of those policies changed?

It's an awful feeling to be reminded of scary or anxious moments: do you have any strategies for coping with anxiety when it happens?

That sounds like a lot to deal with. Would you like some help coming up with a way to talk to her about not being in the room during your doctor's visits?

Is your mom usually in the room with you for appointments? If so, know that she does not need to be there if you don't want her to be, and it's absolutely okay to ask her to stay in the waiting room (and the doctor should back you up on that).

A lot of us staff and volunteers are feeling pretty crummy today because of the inauguration in the U.S., so it wouldn't be surprising if a lot of you were feeling the same way!

So, if you'd like some extra support with anything or just a space to vent some of those feelings, this is it.

Okay. Some STIs and other infections can be tested for with a urine sample, but not all, so I'd suggest that you get a pelvic exam and full screening (you can read about what that involves in this piece ) and then if those results are all negative, it's likely this is related to the pill. After that...