Okay, so I would approach the conversation from the standpoint of "I would like birth control so that I can make my cycle more regular and hopefully lessen my symptoms." You can also research the method you want before you have the conversation, as that might help it seem like less of this...

Hi 14fields, I can't speak for what Jacob has in mind, but one thing that might help is framing the boundaries as good for both of you and for your relationship (which they are). This is something that you're bringing to her because you finding it's starting to put a strain on the relationship, and ...

Hi Catalina, We can't really tell you why your clitoris is sensitive at the moment. It could be that you did something while masturbating or just going about your day that made it a little tender (masturbating or using a vibrator frequently are not going to cause any damage by themselves, but if you...

With various period apps, unless they're having you do things like take your temperature, they're not actually able to give you that accurate a prediction. You can read more about that here: Get With the Flow: All About FAM Do you want to talk about some ways to maybe approach the birth control conv...

Hi blueberry, In theory, the pill makes a cycle more regular. Generally speaking, you are supposed to get a withdrawl bleed during the placebo week. But that doesn't always happen 100% of the time, because our bodies are not machines. You can read more about that in these articles: Combined Oral Con...

Something I see causing anxiety for some folks is the feeling that if they don't figure out what they're going to do with their lives RIGHT NOW, they're setting themselves up for failure. But the fact of the matter is life seldom goes exactly as planned and that is, usually, an okay or even good thi...

As Joey said, while the fact that you've had a period since the intercourse means you can assume pregnancy did not occur, the way to get rid of that "what if" is to take a test. I think you may also want to give this piece a read for your period questions: M.I.A or, Dude, Where's My Period...

Hi sara, The side effects of plan B can include spotting and weird changes to your cycle, so that could be why the bleeding is happening. You can read more about Plan B here: Emergency Contraception (Plan B or the Morning-After-Pill) I just want to check, are you and he up to date on your STI testing?

Hi Berry, The thing to keep in mind with periods is that our bodies are not machines. Our cycles will vary, or or symptoms will vary, and that's pretty normal. For instance, I'm someone who has super variable cramps. One month they're mild or non-existent, another they're horrible. That's not necess...

Throwing my two cents in, I got my first about a year ago on my shoulder. That's a pretty standard "beginners" tattoo spot, since it's known for not being very painful. It definitely didn't hurt as bad as I thought it would (although I had prepped myself for quite a bit of pain). Like Mo s...

I want to second Heather on the no applicator thing. I found it easier to use them without it.

For the sleep question, since you don't want to leave a tampon in for more than 8 hours, it can be easier on your stress level to just forgo them when you go to bed and use a pad only.

Hi aj,

Yes, those precautions should be fine. If you're anxious about it, you can always talk to a pharmacist and see if they have any suggestions.

Hi hypochondriac, So, if the intercourse and other activity he had was protected, then HIV is not really a concern (especially if he has no reason to believe that the woman or her other partner had it). If he's been having constant colds, he should go to a doctor to see if they can tell him what's w...

Hi gsbag, There's not a way for us to know what, exactly, is causing the discharge. But you're right that discharge of that type means something is up. Your best bet is to call your health care provider again and let them know that you're having these symptoms. I would also say that you might want t...

Hi shorty, So, intercourse always poses some risk, although with a condom that risk is very, very small. Touching genitals without any barrier between them also poses a risk. Just so you know, it's normal for periods to vary in their arrival times for all sorts of reasons (although having intercours...

Hi All,

We've got a new poll up. This time, we want to hear from you about what you wish had been in included in any sex ed you've received so far. The poll is here:
http://www.scarleteen.com/node/7510

Head on over and tell us what you think!

Edit: Cross-posted with Heather Hi Amarinesgirl, So, if you had a period after the incident you're worried about, then you can assume you're not pregnant. However, the way to confirm that assumption is to take a pregnancy test. I do want to check, are you both up to date on your STI testing? And out...

Hi najeeb,

Like the pimples you might get on your face, the best thing to do it leave it alone and let it go away on its own.

Hi witsend, What your describing is something that is kind of out of our scope of things we can help you with. When an anxiety or fear of contamination is this severe, that's something that needs to be dealt with with the help of a therapist or other mental health professional. Do you know what type...

Hi Olemgirl,

Yes, you could have transfered the herpes virus from your mouth to his genitals through this contact. You can read about that here:
Are coldsores herpes?

As for symptoms and such, you can read about that here: The STI Files: Herpes

Ah, okay, I follow. I would still check-in with a healthcare provider, just so you can know whether or not it's anything to be concerned about.

Skeleton and Charlie, you're both good to go

Hi andrej, So, if it is painful to pull the foreskin back, you may want to pay a visit to a healthcare provider, as in order to use a condom correctly if you have a foreskin, you need to be able to pull it back without difficulty or pain. You can read more on that here: Innies & Outies: The Peni...

Hi Michaelangelo, So, as long as your girlfriend has been taking her pills on time and otherwise using them correctly, she should have full protection from them. As you read, spotting can be a side effect of the pill and even though it's more common when a person is just starting on the pill, it can...

Hi Silentdragon, Urgh, that does sound frustrating. I do have a few thoughts on how to maybe expedite the process. One is, depending on their location, to find some time when they're open to go there in person. Not only will that (hopefully) make it so that you can schedule an appointment right then...