Hi there, I'm sorry that you're struggling with self esteem. Is this something you've ever had the support of a counselor or therapist for? If I'm honest, the way your describing your body it sounds like you're judging it according to how you feel it should look, rather than valuing it for what it f...

Hi Breeze, It sounds like you like this person and even if you're not going to be in the same place next year you still have all of the coming term at university together. So my question is, if she likes you back, would you feel good about going on a few dates and seeing how if goes? Do you strongly...

Hey Arachnid! This sounds happy and exciting :D It's great that you two have started communicating things about what you might be interested in doing together, and building up to sex via other things is a great way to learn what you both like, get comfortable with one another and practice those yese...

From what you're describing, it sounds like you have been trying to cultivate friendships in the hopes that they turn into relationships, and then deal with a lot of (understandably) hard emotions when they don't grow into anything else? What do you think about having friendships with women you find...

Virginity IS a weird concept, I totally get why it's confusing. I mean, we don't have a special word for someone who hasn't done literally any other kind of activity. Even as a placeholder for sexual experience it doesn't tell us that much, since one person might have a whole bunch of sexual experie...

Welcome to the boards. Breakups are really tough, I'm sorry. How are you feeling? I hear that you feel like if you fixed this one thing - your parent's disapproval - you could have a good relationship. It's really common when a relationship ends to feel like if we sorted out this *one thing* we coul...

Hi Herstory, it's good that you're able to recognise and name that fear. I'm sorry that those things happened to you and are making things hard now. I know breaking up with someone can feel impossible hard. I also know that you can do it. In your other thread, Heather suggested an email as a way to ...

Hi DArwin, It sounds like you both know what you want! It's impossible to predict how things will turn out in the long term - especially if you have a couple of years before you go to college and long distance becomes a possible part of your life - so I'd say if this feels good now go for it. Of cou...

Hi Tigger, It sounds like your relationship has a lot of good, happy, comfortable things going for it! You say you have had a lot of different discussions about things, I'm guessing this includes the sexual part of your relationship? In general, how easy have you found it to express the things you w...

You're welcome!

I hope that this new brand is a better fit for you. If you're switching pills, it's worth remembering that your body might take a few months to adjust to this one, before you really know what your new "normal" is like.

Hi Senol - have you spoken to your partner about how things are changing and how you both feel about that? As Heather says, change is normal, and things don't always turn out how we imagine but that's not necessarily a bad thing!

Hi jjk, If you're sexually active, then seeing a gynecologist regularly is a good routine to be in, and they can also rule out any medical issues. We've got more info on what to expect from a gynecology visit here: Your First Gynecologist Visit . Do you have a plan for how to access an appointment? ...

I get that you don't want to upset your mom, but right now I'd suggest that your first priority is your own health. Do you think she'd try to stop you if you said you were going to handle it yourself? If so, it may be best to get hold of your insurance card (if you can) or make an alternative plan i...

No need to apologise, we're here when you need us :) So it sounds to me like there are two separate things going on here and you might be linking them in ways that don't always fit together. One question is: do you want to have sex? I really like some of the questions in this article: Ready or Not? ...

Hi Jaclyn, This is all so hard and stressful, I'm sorry. For what it's worth I think you're making really good decisions to look after yourself right now. Calling someone you trust for support, and ending things with this guy can't have been easy, but they show a lot of courage and taking responsibi...

Hi Dante, It is possible to pass on STIs from oral sex (more in the link below), the safest thing to do is use barriers such as condoms or dental dams for oral sex. Can I Get Pregnant, or Get or Pass On an STI From That? Whilst in theory not having taken part in any sexual activity before should mea...

hey spotteddog, You're right, it does sound like time to see a healthcare provider. Have you asked your mom to help you get an appointment since she offered? As a first approach, how about reminding her that she said she'd find a doctor for you, and telling her that you're regularly experiencing pai...

Hi feistelj,

There is nothing wrong with masturbating. The amount of ejaculate you produce will vary too - unless you're experiencing pain it's not something to worry about. Is there anything in particular you were concerned about?

I get that, it's tough. I'm glad you're reaching out to us for some additional support, having a network of different people and places we can turn to at different moments is important. Do you think your Mum knows you want her support? Do you know what that support would look like to you?

Hi alenamb Welcome to the boards! When starting birth control or switching to a new method of birth control, it can take a while for our bodies to adjust and settle into a predictable pattern. On the pill, your cycle is effectively interrupted so you can't mess it up, but it might take a few months ...

I'm sorry that you feel like she's disappointed, it's really hard that as we grow up and start making decisions for ourselves we inevitably sometimes choose things that our families might not choose for us, or be quite ready for yet. Honestly though? I'm pretty impressed by your Mum, sounds like she...

Hi Tommy, Tommy You have a couple of options. One is to go to your usual healthcare provider and speak to them; if you need help from your parents to access an appointment, you don't have to tell them what it's for. Otherwise, there are a bunch of places in Boston that offer free STI screenings. Tha...

I'm glad she wasn't dismissive. I think Al's suggestion of approaching her in an adult way with some resources might be the way to go. If she doesn't like to be "wrong" then maybe it would help to give her a bit of time before raising it again, and then showing her your research in a way t...

Hi Coolcats, Processing feelings can take time, and have ups and downs of feeling good and happy then intense sadness or loss and that's ok. It sounds like you're doing all the right things for yourself, especially in not comparing or blaming anyone. You are very welcome to write about it here if it...

Amazing! I'll make sure Heather knows and they can talk it through with you