You are in luck: we just added a new article about what does and does not interact with hormonal birth control. Check it out - http://www.scarleteen.com/article/bodie ... th_control

We have an article that may help ease some of your fears: Your First Gynecologist Visit In terms of what questions to ask, why don't you make a list of all the things you want to discuss and and the concerns you have right now? That way, you can have a reminder with you and don't need to worry about...

I would advise against it. From what you are reporting, it sounds like this is already a situation full of confusion and uncertainty, and in situations like that, foregoing communication is only likely to make things more confusing. How do you feel about the idea of making a list to put some order i...

I hear you - rejection can be hard to face. But I do think it's important that you talk to her and see how she feels. That conversation can totally include you letting her know that you feel ambivalent, and that on the one hand you miss kissing her, but on the other hand you're feeling conflicted an...

It sounds like you two have been able to talk about this topic before, so can you tell me why you are reluctant to talk to her explicitly about where to take things from here?

Well, because sexuality is not static. Who we feel attracted to and what gives us pleasure can vary a lot. We all have the capacity to be attracted to all sorts of people, all sorts of genders and personality traits and physical traits. And even if we feel that we have a type, a specific kind of per...

Welcome to Scarleteen, sunburnt! I'll start with answering the questions you posed at the end of your article, if that's alright. I think that you both can totally consider yourself whatever you feel most comfortable with. Identities and labels are not prescriptive, they are not given to you by some...

Rainbow, did you discuss your IBS with your doctor? An oral contraceptive may not be the best choice for you, if you regularly have gastrointestinal issues. Something like the implant or the shot, or an IUD, may be a better option for you. Please let me know if you'd like some more info about any of...

Have you talked to your father about your feelings that your relationship with him feels problematic lately? Has he voiced specifically feeling like you made the wrong decision about being sexually active with your partner? Because it sounded to me like he was fairly cool in his reaction when you to...

Welcome to Scarleteen, BabyRedbirde! There is a lot of stuff going on in your life that we could talk about here (and if you're up for it I would really like to talk to you about your relationship with your boyfriend because I see some red flags there), but it sounds to me like your primary focus ri...

Can I ask what those methods are, and how they are impacted by your self-esteem? If you need new methods that are healthier and work better for you, you can also take a look at our "Anxiety Lies" article, if you haven't already, and follow the links we have in the side bar: http://www.scar...

Coming to terms with having been in any kind of abuse, but certainly having been in an abusive relationship where you also cared a lot about that person can be a really long process. So some going back and forth on this is certainly to be expected. While I understand the impulse to be hard on yourse...

This is really a decision you need to make for yourself. You already know that the risk was very low, so there is nothing for me to add to that. If you know you'd feel better taking EC, then it's the way to go. In terms of condoms, have you tried using bigger condoms to give him some extra room? Ano...

Hi Furiousa! Welcome to the boards. I love your kick-ass name! It sounds like you already know the answer to the question in your title, but I also know how much it can help to hear it from someone else, specially someone who is impartial - yes, what your ex-partner was sexual assault. In fact, it s...

Thank you for being honest with us, Hawley. I really appreciate that. I understand what it can be like to be in the middle of a panic, and talking or writing through things can sometimes really help. However, if you're writing through your panic and then asking us questions as though this is a thing...

Hi Hawley. I've been following this conversation between you and Heather, and reading this, it seemed to me like there is a pattern with the way you interact with us here. There've been a few instances in this thread where you reported something to us that sounded pretty serious, and where you seeme...

If a lot of this is happening in class, then I do think that a teacher or your guidance counselor would be the right person to inform. If you have saved some of his threatening text messages, you might want to show those, as well. And if he is harrassing your friend now, as well, maybe the two of yo...

This is absolutely a place where we can discuss this! You've said before that you are in touch with him via mutual friends, and he still calls you. Do I have that right? Is there any other type of interaction that you have with him?

Are you up to date on your reproductive healthcare? Did you have a break between stopping your old pill and starting this new one? And how long have you been having this discharge?

Can you please follow the steps outlined for your situation in this article? http://www.scarleteen.com/article/bodie ... _companion

Have you given flavored condoms a try? They're not a stellar idea for intercourse (the sugar in them can cause infections) but they're a great option for oral sex! But also, it sounds like you two have found a few activities that you both really enjoy engaging in! There is no need to rush on to othe...

Condoms may still fail, even when used correctly. However, a failure is noticeable - when a condom fails, it bursts like a balloon.

This may well be your withdrawal bleed and it just showed early this month. Or you're having some breakthrough bleeding and will have your regular withdrawal next week. We can't really know, but breakthrough bleeding isn't unusual, as others have assured you, and since you're backing up with condoms...

Here is our info on condoms, which should also answer your questions:
Condom Basics: A User's Manual
All the Barriers! All the Time!

What is your homelife like? You have not really told us much about that, and what we learn in in our childhood about relationships as well as other interpersonal dynamics, and what attitues about sex we grow up with, absolutely impacts how we conduct our own relationships as adults. So if you want t...