Hey Juliaho90, People take birth control for a number of reasons. You can certainly use them to suppress/skip periods. However, it's not quite as simple as taking birth control the month of a particular event (e.g. a vacation) to skip the period, nor do you 'push back' a single period and have it la...

Hey there, Even though I know it sucks, cycles of feeling very good/very bad and everything in between are normal. We've probably said that before, but I always need to be reminded when I hit my lows. If it helps, maybe journaling about good/bad days can remind you of the good times and maybe give y...

Hey Talkativeintro, First, let me say, this is a totally common experience. It can be hard to learn to translate the things that feel good when you touch yourself to partnered sex. It may just take more experimenting! And if your sex is pleasurable and enjoyable then you're starting from a great pla...

Hey there, Belcano: I'm so glad you keep checking back in with us here. <3 I hope it helps to have multiple outlets for something like this. I know it can be overwhelming. In my own experience, when you are missing someone desperately -- especially someone who was abusive/ you are codependent with -...

Hi there Ghostwriter, Unless your pills are visibly disintegrated -- broken, dissolved, etc. in any way -- it should be just fine to take as normal. If a pill ever is disintegrated in some way, you can treat it like a missed pill in your pack (even if you take what is left of it) to ensure that you'...

I *love* that you've learned that in soccer (football? what do you call it? hehe). That seems like a great thing to carry with you into your life. I'm glad you feel it's helped a bit. Screens are for some people, not others -- everyone's sleep needs are different. I say do what's best for you. Somet...

Hey 0PT1M15T1C, Jumping back in and I was able to read the longer thread and catch up <3 I want to start by saying that I'm so sorry these things go in cycles. I know it so well -- you're so excited to be on an upswing, feeling better, and then you're caught off guard by a painful week or month wher...

Hey there Juliaho90, It's definitely still okay/safe to take your pill! Unless it's disintegrated in any way, it should work the same as always. As with all birth control pills, just make sure to take the pills in the correct order (indicated by the color of the pill). Do you have a birth control ca...

Hey MuchShy, It sounds like all you're really asking for is a partner who doesn't put pressure on you to do things you're uncomfortable with, and the opportunity to try things out sexually if/when you and your partner *both* feel like it. To me, that sounds like any healthy and happy sexual relation...

A few of the guys it's so funny to joke around with when we're talking about this and I'm realizing it'll probably be similar in person. I love this!! I think that especially if you've felt worried about awkwardness before, this is such a good and cute sign. To me, it means that you all are willing...

Hey there! I wanted to chime in briefly, just because my trauma *does* come from a past, long-term dating experience, so I thought that could be helpful. It sounds like you're already setting yourself up for success, as Heather and Mo pointed out, by communicating with potential partners ahead of ti...

Hey, 0PT1M15T1C. Since I'm new in this conversation, I want to start by telling you how glad I am that you're here. I'm sorry that going through this, and sharing it with the people around you, has been so hard. I can empathize. Also -- this is totally okay to share with us at Scarleteen. Your emoti...

Hey! More lube definitely might help. Switching up the *kind* of lube could help too -- if you're just performing manual sex (aka jerking her off), then silicone lubricant is perfectly safe and tends to last longer/be a bit thicker than water-based lubes, for example. I also totally get your comment...

Hey tomatopotato - this is something I've seen a lot in myself and in my friends who have experienced anxiety and low self-confidence in the past. When you feel more secure about your crushes, it allows you to be excited about them without tying the success or failure of a romantic connection to you...

Hey there CaptainWildRose: I'm sorry to hear that it's so difficult to get away from this home where you don't feel you can be yourself safely. I'm glad you're here. <3 I don't want to be redundant, but I *do* think that if you called a local center they would have experience with this kind of thing...

Hey thewrit3r: First of all, you are totally welcome here. We're glad you came here to ask your question! I want to begin by affirming that, when you are bombarded with sexist comments and behavior from the folks surrounding you, questioning your sense of reality is natural - and does not make you s...

Hi Booksandoceans: It sounds like you and your boyfriend may want to find a gentler or different way for him to touch you. The skin that makes up the vulva is mucosal tissue , which can tear more easily than other skin. If you are bleeding whenever he touches you, then that indicates you may need to...

Hi there: The short answer is likely yes! The long answer is that it is State- and location-dependent. It can be helpful to chat with Planned Parenthood to find clinics that will help you in your area without using your insurance. I want to share a couple of resources -- the first is this list of St...

Hi Justyne: I'm so glad to hear you feel good about your procedure! I know it can be hard navigating the symptoms afterwards, but they will pass. Who you choose to tell is completely up to you. If your Auntie is a trusted person, that seems like a good choice for you. As for telling the guy, that ch...

Hi crmmrc: Manual sex is a low-risk activity for pregnancy and STI transmission, even before the hand sanitizer comes into play, so it should be very low- to no-risk to touch yourself afterwards while using the toilet. We have a great article on the relative risks of different sexual activities here !

Hi Buddyboi: That sounds like a very successful night! It's great that you put yourself out there so much, and pursued your own interests while also actively getting consent. I'm happy for you -- and also am jealous of this party! It sounds so fun! I should share that I am not autistic, but I DO hav...

Hey GolfingGirl: I like how you closed your post - with a couple of thoughts on how you lost your virginity, and you'd like for your sister to have comfier opportunities than you did when you were her age. At the end of the day, the time of life that someone chooses for their sexual debut is entirel...

Hey Juliaho90:

Yes, your question makes sense, and no, you don't have to wait til the end of *each* pack - just the first one! So you will be under the full protection of the birth control pill on day 29, assuming you took it consistently that first month.

Hey Cathandly, First, let me say that it sounds like the two of you are navigating this well so far -- I'm glad that you're both communicating bravely around what feels good and safe during sex and what doesn't. There are a few different pieces here that are all important to your sexual health and h...

Happy to help <3