Correct, once you begin your second pack, you can assume you are at full effectiveness.

Hi Daisygirl, The likelihood of condoms breaking or coming off is one of those things where the odds of it are super dependent on how well the condom is used. For instance, sizing the condom right will help keep it from break or coming off, and making sure there is lots of lubrication will also help...

Hi ICantthink, Okay, so first off, you're quite free to vent here, as his friends generally sound like they're being unpleasant towards you, which can suck. You're right that you can't go back in time and stop your boyfriend from saying what he's said, but I think having a bigger conversation with h...

One of the strategies many folks use for self-care is reading, since it can offer a distraction and also be soothing. So, I'm curious to know what y'all recommend as good books to read when you're feeling in need of some comfort (audio books count as well). One series I find really good for this pur...

Hi Kris, We're not able to tell is something medical is up, but the most likely answer is no, especially since you seem to be able to orgasm without difficulty when masturbating. When you're with your partner, do the two of you communicate about what motions or positions seem to feel the best? One t...

I would say that I'm at much the same point Infinitea is. When I use euphemisms or otherwise dance around the subject of menstruation has more to do with the company I'm in than how I feel about those functions (perfectly normal although sometimes extremely aggravating is how I feel about them). I u...

Hi noa99, I think that depends on what your own strengths and interests are. There is definitely a need for folks in the counseling world who are knowledgeable about trans issues or who specialize in helping trans or gender non-conforming folks. So that's definitely an area to explore. I would also ...

You're welcome :) I would say keep trying out new things and meeting new people. I would also say that, as far as your size goes, it can help to stop thinking of it as an impediment to meeting people. In spite of a lot of popular messages and conceptions of what's attractive, there will always be so...

Hi Bourdie, So, it might sound cliche, but there is no timeline when it comes to romantic relationships or sexual experiences. Every person is going to have a different path, and that path is going to be influenced by all sorts of factors, like location, or how they choose to or are able to spend th...

In Safe, Sound & Sexy: A Safer Sex How-To, we discussed why you should consider putting together a safer sex kit, and what things you can include in it. So, if you've got a safer sex kit, what do you keep in it?

Mine is pretty basic: External condoms, a dental dam, and lube.

I actually started using "love" as a term much more broadly a few years ago, because it was clear that I felt love for my friends as well as my partner and I wanted to acknowledge that (this was part of a bigger project of reminding myself that my emotional life was not tied only to my rom...

Hi Rainbowskys, Since you would be using the just for inserting a tampon, you might look into oil based lubricants (like coconut oil) as they usually look more like "normal" house hold items. However, be aware that using oil based lubes can potentially trap bacteria in the vagina. It's har...

Now, this does not mean only discussing your personal sex life or sexual feelings. It can mean simply discussing issues around the politics of sex, or stuff like periods, STIs, and pregnancy in the abstract. So who, if anyone, do you feel comfortable talking about those topics with? Friends? Family?...

Hi Leelee, With pre-ejaculate, anything other than direct genital to genital contact with it is a non-risk. And no, sperm cannot reactivate themselves, nor are they particularly hard to wash off your hands (like you read in that article, they're actually pretty fragile). You may also want to check o...

Hi Kristy, So, this type of sex will always pose some risk. However, you used three birth control methods, which means that your odds of pregnancy are really, really low. Even if your pill had been compromised somewhat (and the best person to ask about the chances of that is your healthcare provider...

Hi Joski, One of the side-effects of plan B is that it can make your cycle unpredictable. So, the bleeding you're experiencing may very well be your period. However, there is no way for us to know for certain that that's the case. The way to for certain whether or not you're pregnant is to take a pr...

Hi Celica,

You're welcome , and no, that does not change the grace period.

Hi Purplewookie, I'm going to quote from this article: Combined Oral Contraceptives (The Pill) "When you first start the pill, when it will be fully effective depends both on when you start it, as well as your own body chemistry. For most people who start the pill either on the first day of the...

Hi Celica,

So, with combined pills, you actually have a 12 hour grace period before a pill is considered late. So an hour and a half is not going to compromise the effectiveness of your pill.

Ah, I follow. Okay, then maybe the most you can bank on from your dad is that he'll support your orientation so that you won't feel totally unsupported by your family? As for what questions to expect, that's a little tricky, and hopefully some of our users and other volunteers can add to what I'm ab...

Hi Nitehawk,

You're welcome. I think it is worth it to weigh the most likely outcomes (both positive and negative) and then see if you feel like ordering the books is worth it.

Do your parents generally open mail or packages that come for you?

Hi repsev, There's no way for us to know for certain what the cause of the cramps might be. But, if you think you're due for a period, then that's definitely one possibility. However, if the cramps continue without seeming to link to a period or get significantly worse, you might want to check in wi...

Hi Silentdragon, It sounds like you've already been working through the possible outcomes of your coming out, which is great! I think your decision to talk to your mom about your sexuality prior to a partner entering the picture is a sound one. One thing that might help you is to write out (literall...

Hi repsev, Periods can vary in their arrival times for many reasons, although travel alone is unlikely to cause the irregularity. You can read about some of the most common reasons in the link below, but it can also help to remember that our bodies are not perfect machines, so you're cycle can be ir...

Hi Nitehawk, This is a bit of a toughie, and hopefully some other folks might have some more suggestions. However, one thing I can think of is checking the library in your town (if you haven't already) to see if they have those two books, or if they can bring them in from another branch for you. It ...