Cramps and nausea can be a side effect of the pill, but can I ask when your last sexual health checkup was, and when you and your partner were last screened for STIs?

Even if it's not something you personally have experienced before, it isn't unusual for periods to stop and start like you're describing, and the color of menstrual flow can vary quite a bit. A common side effect of EC is that cycles can go a bit wonky for a while, too, so I don't see anything here ...

You're welcome.

It's great you're in therapy for anxiety! Have you ever mentioned your concerns about pregnancy to your therapist, and talked about ways to manage those fears? I would also say too that sometimes, even if we enjoy something, that doesn't mean it's a good idea for us to engage in it. For example, my ...

As Sam said, we weren't there, so this is something you need to judge on your own. It does sound like you have a fair bit of worry around pregnancy risks, though: is that something you'd like to talk more about how to manage?

By the way, there are a couple of resources that might be helpful for you in thinking about dating and the possibility of rejection. This piece focuses on sexual consent, but there's some good stuff in there about dealing with rejection more generally, too: What's in a No? The second resource is Dr ...

Hi Lilly, and welcome to Scarleteen.

There are plenty of ways to masturbate that don't involve porn and/or toys! Plenty of people just use their hands: there is no right or wrong way to masturbate, you just have to experiment a bit and see what works for you.

Just adding a bit to what Edith said, if you're finding that even with three methods of contraception you still have some anxiety about pregnancy, then you may want to think about whether you're comfortable having the kinds of sex that can pose that risk (however small it is). For the record, too, t...

You're welcome: I hope the doctor's visit goes well.

Pursuing a romantic relationship with someone just because we want a relationship in general and not because we're interested in them specifically, as a person, tends not to lead to satisfying or healthy relationships. I'd suggest that if you're not feeling strong attraction to this person, it's pro...

Most antibiotics are not thought to affect the pill, and if the clinic staff and multiple pharmacists told you that there would be no interference, you can trust that information. In addition, even if your pill had been affected, you took those antibiotics during your previous pack of pills, so your...

It's possible that you're having some bleeding, and the blood is mixing with your husband's semen turning it pink. Or, he may have some blood mixed in with his semen - either way, it's something to check in with a doctor about. Did you get any medical care after your miscarriage?

We will not answer ANY questions about pregnancy fear or anxiety in our direct services from users who are not pregnant or who are not or have not otherwise been directly involved with an actual pregnancy. Please do not post this kind of question. If you are seeing this text, and your thread is loc...

Counselling is a good first step, so fingers crossed you get an appointment soon! If, when you do see a counsellor, they think you should also see a doctor, that's something that can be discussed at the time and it will really depend on what they think the issue is.

I'm sure you're aware of this already, but in case it helps to hear it from someone else: there is a heck of a lot wrong with that site, and I'm sorry your mother has been using it as a source of information for her arguments. Unfortunately, it's often very hard to argue against transphobia and misi...

You're right that symptoms of pretty much any infection wouldn't show up that fast, but since you're still worried about this and feel like testing would help ease that worry, I think it's a good idea to see if you can get it done. There's really just no way to know what the cause of your sore throa...

We will not answer ANY questions about pregnancy fear or anxiety in our direct services from users who are not pregnant or who are not or have not otherwise been directly involved with an actual pregnancy. Please do not post this kind of question. If you are seeing this text, and your thread is loc...

This may seem a bit out of left field, but how have you noticed yourself responding physically to things that many people would consider pleasurable? (For instance: massage or a warm bath?)

I'm not sure there's much to say beyond the fact that just like any sexual activity, it's something some people enjoy, and others aren't so into or don't like. Is there something specific you were wondering about?

This piece from our Trans Summer School series has some tips and is probably a good place to start: http://www.scarleteen.com/trans_summer_ ... ssion_gear

Got it, and sorry for not checking in with you about something like that before making my suggestion: that was a big mistake on my part.

Is journalling something you'd be interested in trying? As Sam said, it can be helpful to have reminders to yourself that fluxes in dysphoria don't invalidate your identity, but keeping an ongoing record of how you're feeling can be useful too, and journalling can serve that purpose (and it can just...

If you think the checklist is something that might be helpful, maybe you and your partner could sit down and do it together, and then if that sparks anything else that you want to talk about here, we can do that?

I'm sorry you're still having such a rough time with this. :( Per dealing with your immediate stress, have you tried any of those self-care strategies in the article I linked you to? Figuring out a few things that help you relax when you're feeling particularly anxious can be a big help in making it...

(By the way, I'm heading out for the evening shortly, but I'll be back tomorrow afternoon and there will be other staff members here who can pick up with you as well.)