There really is no acceptable reason for someone to do this to a family member (or to a child at all, regardless of whether they're related). It sounds like neither of your parents treated this as seriously as they should have, although that certainly sounds like part of a larger pattern based on yo...

Hi chrromie, welcome to Scarleteen. We'd be happy to point you towards some information! We do have some articles about genitals and sexual anatomy here (I don't want to make any assumptions about your body so I've included multiple options): Innies & Outies: The Penis, Testes and More Innies &a...

I'd say if you aren't feeling really sure and confident that you want to have sex with him, that's a pretty good reason to say no. Sex is always going to be best when everyone involved genuinely wants it and is excited to be having sex with that person in particular. It's definitely good that your p...

Sex is most likely to be a good experience when you go into it feeling secure in your desire for it; if you're having these very mixed feelings about it, then it sounds like now isn't the right time. It's good that you've made some progress! Have you looked into any of the other things Heather and S...

Something that was really validating for me, when I first came out, was that I had a couple friends who didn't know a lot about trans issues at all (this was in 2005, when mainstream awareness of trans people and the finer details of trans identities was minimal), but were 100% on board with using t...

Hi sky, I just wanted to pop in and share some thoughts if that's ok. :) First off, I'm so glad the initial meeting with this therapist went well, that's huge. I think it's great to come at this from a perspective of wanting to put in the effort so you can get better, and wanting to give yourself a ...

If you have those other interests, then I think looking into activities or social groups focused around them could be worth a try. There's really no surefire way to meet people you're likely to share a mutual attraction with, so beyond putting yourself out there, as you have been doing, there isn't ...

So glad you've found these responses affirming, that's what we're here for. <3 I'm glad you're taking extra care of yourself right now; here's a nice roundup of some self-care ideas if you need some: Self-Care a La Carte We do also have a lot of articles and advice columns on our site that touch on ...

That does sound pretty frustrating! I do think that trying to force it is unlikely to be very effective; if you're putting pressure on yourself to feel arousal, that's honestly going to make it less likely to show up. Your thought of giving yourself space is probably what I'd recommend; I wish I had...

Hi Joey1998, and welcome to Scarleteen. I'm glad you found us, but sorry it's because this happened to you. What you're describing is definitely what I'd call coercion and sexual assault. You were clear that you didn't want to be sexual with this person, you turned him down and redirected him severa...

Hi Datboi, We really can't give specific suggestions about what might feel good to you, since everyone's bodies and preferences will be different. What we'd suggest is taking some time, when you're masturbating, to experiment with different kinds of touch and see what feels best. There are a few tho...

You say it isn't a big deal, but I don't think that's necessarily true! Having sex for the first time may not be a big deal to everyone but it certainly can be, and if it is for you, it's important to acknowledge and respect that. What I'm hearing is that you don't feel ready for sex with her just y...

The best advice we can give is to take some time experimenting when you masturbate, to see if different kinds of touch, a different level of intensity, thinking about something new or different, etc. will make a difference. There's no one best way that works for everyone, so we can't give specific t...

You're doing the right thing, even though it's painful. It is a bummer that you're having to step up and be the one to set better boundaries with this teacher; that should be her responsibility as the adult in this situation. Be extra kind to yourself for a bit, and I hope the hurt you're feeling fr...

Hi there mossypebble, and welcome to Scarleteen. First off, it's not at all unusual or strange to be interested in mlm romantic or sexual content in the way you describe. That's the easy answer to your post and I want to make sure I say that up front. :) The harder question to answer is whether this...

I don't think you can know if this guy knows you're interested in him or not! A lot of people have a hard time noticing when someone else is expressing their interest in a roundabout way. There really isn't going to be a way to know for sure unless one of you brings it up directly. It can feel safer...

You may also find this article, which talks about the broad range of attributes that make up someone's sexuality, helpful: Sexuality: WTF Is It, Anyway?

Something to keep in mind about masturbation is that there isn't really a "right" way to do it, just what's right for you. If it turns out you and your friend masturbate differently, that won't mean that one of you is doing something weird or dumb or that you aren't doing it correctly. If ...

Hi WayneB96, and welcome to Scarleteen. I can understand why this would be a stressful situation! Have you talked to your partner at all about your cold sores and been careful about not kissing her or sharing drinks when you have an outbreak or feel one coming on? If that's a conversation you've alr...

Good to hear it! Glad we could help.

Hi there yiamdi, and welcome to Scarleteen. It's very common for bleeding or cycle irregularities to be a side effect of emergency contraception. We can't know exactly what's causing this bleeding, of course, but it's very likely that what you're experiencing is a side effect of the EC. What we do r...

If you're looking for a few other things to try, in terms of DIY sex toys or things that can function as sex toys, we do have an article you may find helpful: D.I.Y. Sex Toys: Self-Love Edition . I do want to say, though, that if you're using the bristles of the toothbrush directly on your clitoris,...

While it is possible to have positive experiences with therapists, it's not always easy for any one person to find a therapist whose approach and general vibe is a good match for them. Not every therapeutic approach will work for everyone and some therapists are more flexible than others. It definit...

I do want to check in and make sure you've all talked about how you're handling birth control and safer sex practices; any time someone has multiple partners it is vital to have good communication and responsibility around safer sex. Is that something you've discussed in detail with everyone?

Hi there, BuddyBoi. I'm sorry you're feeling stressed and insecure about some aspects of this relationship. Are there any things in particular your partner could do for you that you think would help you feel more secure or valued? I wonder if there are ways she could commit to spending time with you...