Thanks so much for the update! I'm glad we were be able to be helpful.

Hi there TrueJustice, I'm sorry you're not finding anything to be helpful right now. I want to check in and see if you have a sense of what, if anything, we can do to specifically help at the moment. It sounds like none of the self-care thoughts we've mentioned here or had on our site are a great fi...

You're quite welcome.

While we can't know what will happen in your particular case, it certainly is possible for people to be friends after a romantic relationship has ended. What is often a very important component of this happening, though, is taking some time - at least weeks, if not months - apart to readjust before ...

Yep, you're definitely overthinking this situation. And if you feel like you just can't let it go, I do think seeking out some mental health support to help deal with it may be a good idea.

This article gives some context on the fragility of sperm: Who's Afraid of Sperm Cells? Really the only guideline is just to wash your hands; you don't need to think about it any more than you'd think about washing your hands normally if you'd gotten dirt, food, paint, etc. on them. Keep in mind too...

Thanks for another update. I'm glad you've found a good singing album, and that you're working to take care of yourself even when it's hard. Hopefully you'll be able to connect with counselling soon and will find that useful, and of course we're happy to talk about any of this in the future if you w...

Hi there, In general, washing your hands is going to be enough to get semen off of them. If you're not feeling that kind of tacky texture of semen on your hands after washing them, then it's no longer there, and sperm cells won't be there either. It sounds like it might give you more peace of mind t...

We will not answer ANY questions about pregnancy fear or anxiety in our direct services with users who are not pregnant or who are not or have not been otherwise directly involved with an actual pregnancy. Please do not post this kind of question here. If you are seeing this text with a post you ma...

Hi Tigger, Thanks for the update - I'm sorry this guy managed to get you suspended on top of everything else but it sounds like your boss is supportive of you and understands the actual situation. It's totally understandable for you to feel drained or overwhelmed right now! I really hope things can ...

You're quite welcome! I'm glad I could help.

Hi there sassamander, and welcome to Scarleteen. First off: you haven't damaged yourself or ruined your chances at future orgasms by masturbating the way you have for so long. Sometimes it just takes some time and experimentation to figure out what works best for you, so I think with time you'll sor...

The insert in your pill packet (or info on the pill brand's website, if you don't have the insert at the moment) will have the definitive word on when your particular pill counts as "late." So, if you read it there, that's the most reliable source.

Looks like we got this sorted for you on chat!

I think a good first step is getting into the habit Ashleah described above, of trying to eliminate negative self-talk from your life. I find that it can be easier to stop myself if I think "would I say this about my best friend?" My friend isn't terrible for making mistakes sometimes, and...

Hi aeChristine, While I am not Christian myself, I know that this is an issue that can be a struggle for a lot of folks. Right now, the loudest voices and most-amplified messages in American Christianity do seem to be overwhelmingly anti-queer, anti-extramarital sex, and often anti-any expression of...

From what you're saying here I do think it would be a really good idea to seek out some sort of mental healthcare to help you tackle this anxiety. I understand that it can be hard to feel motivated to get help at points when you're starting to feel better, but maybe you can think of it as regular he...

Hi moonlight, In terms of making smarter sexual decisions, as you mention above, I know that a language barrier can make in-depth conversations harder but there's really no substitute for communication when you're trying to establish different patterns and habits in a relationship. Can I ask what ar...

I have a few thoughts here. Have you (or your partner) ever tried inserting a finger or two, to get used to that sensation with something smaller than a penis? It might help to try that a bit before you try to have intercourse again. I think doing this with a glove & plenty of lube is the way to...

The train of thought you're describing is pretty common, from both sides - some folks feel very strongly that their children should accept that they're right and know best no matter what, and plenty of people believe that about their parents. This is likely to be more of an enforced idea in some cul...

Yeah, sadly you can't personally change their behaviors, but I think some of the things Heather mentioned in your other thread, like journaling and focusing on friendships and other activities outside of your home when possible, might help. They won't change your circumstances at home but might be h...

It does sound like it's something you're used to, but it's still not ok; ideally we don't want anyone to have to get used to that sort of treatment, because it shouldn't happen in the first place. You certainly deserve to live free of anyone talking to you like that. I know you've been having some r...

You're quite welcome! I hope you can find someplace close by that works for you.

If you didn't notice a tear as you took it off, there's probably not one to notice; even a small break or tear in a condom will become large pretty quickly because of the friction of sexual activity. So there isn't really a need to poke around in your trash to look at your condom. I think the best t...

Does your college have a student health clinic? That would be a good first place to start; many will work with students to provide low-cost care and birth control. Barring that, you could look for a Planned Parenthood in your area - they'll often have sliding-scale options too. If you can pay for he...