It sounds like it would help to try some other types of condoms - even different brands will fit a bit differently. We have a good article on different types of condoms here: http://www.scarleteen.com/article/advice/your_map_to_the_condom_aisle Some people to take some time to get used to wearing co...

Hi Lyricrocks, and welcome to Scarleteen. No worries, we are a no hating zone. :) Some people to experience shaking/muscle contractions during and just before/after orgasm. It's pretty common for people to clench or contract muscles during sexual activity or orgasm; if you notice that you're doing t...

Hi Aqua, and welcome to Scarleteen! This can definitely be a tricky thing to struggle with. I'm wondering if you saw this article: http://www.scarleteen.com/article/abuse_assault/on_a_boyfriends_porn_anger_healing_finding_the_way_to_the_healthy_whole I think that might be a good place to start - it'...

I never had an official Talk about sex with my parents, but interestingly enough, my brother, who's two years older than me, did. He told me when he was maybe 10 or 11 that our dad had talked to him about sex. I assumed that he or my mom would have that conversation with me too, when I reached the a...

Nice! I'm glad you found a way to get your own copy!

This is a really soothing webpage that allows you to make some really lovely art in various colors, with radial symmetry or not, etc. It's like painting with smoke. http://weavesilk.com/

You're quite welcome!!

Whether or not you want to stop using condoms is really up to you - if you feel comfortable with the level of protection you'll get from just the Pill, or the Pill plus withdrawal, then it's fine to do that. Plenty of folks do just use one form of birth control, like the pill, and they feel totally ...

Hi sporty23, Since you're taking the birth control pill, there is nothing for Plan B to do - it's really only something we suggest if someone isn't already taking a hormonal form of birth control. The pill already gives you the same kind of protection you'd get from Plan B, and is in fact more effec...

One thing that's really great about relationships: there are no official rules! People can tailor things like frequency and style of communication to suit their particular needs! One thing that's really frustrating about relationships: there are no official rules! It can be confusing to not know if ...

Hi blueeyedgirl,

It looks like we got this answer to you over our text service; if you want some more info on pregnancy tests you can look here: Peeing on a Stick: All About Pregnancy Tests

Hi hazerl, We do have some articles about herpes, and about how even safer sex precautions can't fully protect against herpes transmission, on our site; those will help you get an overview of the situation: The STI Files: Herpes HPV & Herpes: Why Safer Sex Isn't Always Safe Enough [/b] It's defi...

A sharp fingernail (or even a callus on a hand or finger) can cause tiny abrasions in delicate genital tissue, so even though you couldn't see a cut at all, it's possible that this is what happened. Bumping someone's cervix isn't likely to cause bleeding on its own. If you're no longer in pain or bl...

I think your therapist is a great person to bring this up with; she might have other ideas for resources you could point him to, but she can also help you sort out how you want to respond in situations like this, so that you can be supportive without feeling like you're taking on too much.

Hi Fender, This sounds like a tough situation for sure. I think it's really possible that things at your boyfriend's home are worse than you've heard about so far, but even if there's nothing else going on other than what he's told you, clearly it's distressing him a lot. I don't think there's any w...

It's hard to predict exactly what will happen if you start and stop again. Most likely your cycle will return to normal, but it may take a couple cycles for that to happen. Beyond that we really can't say as everyone responds differently, but it's unlikely that you'd have permanent effects from the ...

Keep in mind that if you do decide to give the pill a try, you aren't entering into an iron-bound contract. :) I'd suggest you give it a few months if you try, just because some folks notice side effects in the first month or two that vanish afterwards, but if at any point you find yourself thinking...

Even if it isn't something you've had happen before, it's not uncommon (especially after Plan B) so I wouldn't be too worried! Your doctor will have the best sense of what's going on since they can examine you; if you're still concerned that's a reasonable next step.

Hi nereyn, We can't know exactly why you're having that spotting, but it's not uncommon for this to happen even a few months after taking Plan B. It may be related to your body readjusting after you took it, or it could be that your period is on its way and the spotting's from that. Before you took ...

Hi MeepMeep, and welcome to Scarleteen. :) Unfortunately we can't know exactly what caused those dark spots, but that underwear could be the culprit. Your best bet is to keep an eye on that spot for a few days; if the discoloration doesn't fade or it starts to hurt, that might be a cause for concern...

Ooh, I really like that one too.

That sounds like a good step! Dating is all about finding and exploring connections with people, so I think the way to kickstart that is, as Heather, said, getting to know interesting people and chatting with them to see if there's a connection there. From what you said earlier it sounds like you ha...

It really has been terrible - especially since so many folks are saying "well if you don't want those PRIVATE PHOTOS to be leaked you shouldn't take them in the first place." Yes, hackers exist, but there's no fault in assuming something meant to be private will stay private. It's just the...

I have not had braces, but I did have a partner for several months who did have them. We never had oral sex of any kind but we kissed a lot , and I really enjoyed kissing him; the braces definitely didn't change my enjoyment at all. There were times that I felt his braces during kissing but it wasn'...

If you don't get EC but still take two pills today and two tomorrow, you be in the "typical use" category vs. the "perfect use" one for bc pill protection, but that still means it's unlikely you would become pregnant. There's no way we can know for sure what your chances are, but...