Hey GolfingGirl, I think your approach sounds good in terms of providing some support you feel able to provide and also setting some boundaries. You definitely do not have to tell your sister about your own experiences if you don't feel comfortable doing so or don't want to rehash them and you shoul...

Hey GolfingGirl, As someone with several siblings pretty close in age to me, I completely relate to this post and the complicated feelings we can have when a sibling starts to really hit some more adult-seeming developmental milestones. I'm hearing mostly that you are worried about (1) your sister, ...

Hey Jellyfish, I wanted to flag that it's possible since you mentioned during the recent condom incident that you were really dry that you are actually seeing spotting because the friction against your vaginal walls and/or cervix caused some localized tissue trauma or blood vessel damage, which isn'...

Juliaho, Wanted to confirm that not getting your withdrawal bleed immediately is totally normal. This is especially true during the first few months while your body is adjusting to the hormones. You may not have a withdrawal bleed at all, or you may even start it a couple days before or even during ...

Itching could be for a lot of different reasons. Wearing tight spandex/leggings/etc for prolonged time can throw things off, as can using scented soaps or detergents for showering/bathing and laundry. If it's winter or otherwise a dry climate where you are, that can cause itching too! It may just be...

Hi LaceyRose, Want to echo what others have said that you have not done a bad thing by using contraception when you don't feel ready to be pregnant! In fact, you've really done the most careful thing you could under the circumstances, in terms of what anyone can do after they've used the pull-out me...

Hi Juliaho,

Just wanted to say I commend your curiosity!! It is great to want to be informed about what you are taking and how it works.

Totally agree with the two replies. Also wanted to flag that he threatened you both emotionally and physically, which is definitely also a pretty big red flag re: abuse. It makes total sense that you are not feeling great about the relationship right now, he did some scary stuff!

When I know I'm going into a family situation that might be tense, I make sure to always have an "out" for myself so that I can leave when I get overwhelmed. "Sorry, I have to work tomorrow!" "I need to go to bed early, I've been feeling a little ill!" It sounds really ...

Hey herstory, Just wanted to say I'm so sorry you're going through this right now. It sounds like you are taking a lot of steps to take care of yourself and your safety and I just want to validate what you're already doing. I know how overwhelming and sad it can feel when a relationship comes crashi...

Hi humanbeing, I am SO sorry to hear that your ex was hanging out in the dorm where you live. I'm sure that felt like a total violation of a place that typically feels safe for you. Definitely do what you need to feel like you can focus on your exams in the short-term. Do you maybe have friends he d...

Hi Herstory. Just wanted to say that this really stuck out to me: "Maybe my behavior is what’s causing him to act this way." Making you think that *you're* the "problem" in the relationship and that *you* are the reason why he is treating you poorly is a very common manipulation ...

Hey, Just popping in because I, myself, have OCD, and I can COMPLETELY relate to being obsessed with the idea of needing to prevent pregnancy and so feeling compelled to engage in what one might call an excessive amount of risk management. We engage in our compulsions to help alleviate the anxiety c...