What's new this month?

We are! Well, we're not, we've been here since 1998, but we've made a bunch of design and function changes we just rolled out that we hope you'll have a great time exploring and find makes using Scarleteen -- and getting the sex, sexuality, health and relationships information you want -- more of a breeze than ever.  While you're at it, don't forget to check out our new Tumblr and Pinterest spaces!
 

Looking for some good places to start or update your online sex education?  Besides the links at right, you can read all about what sexuality is in the first place, or find out about how to create and sustain healthy relationships. You can give your sexual ideals a reality check, get some help slowing sexual things down when they're moving too fast, and check out our popular checklist to help you decide if you and a partner are ready to get sexual or not in the first place. If you've got an active sex life now, or plan to start one soon, you can also learn how to play it safe -- and what isn't safe -- when it comes to preventing infections or unwanted pregnancy so you can enjoy your sex life with as much fun and as little strife as possible.

Have you been refused emergency contraception by a pharmacist, or are you worried you will be?  We've got your back right over here.

Wise Words, Cool Facts & Other Quoteables

I urge you all today, especially today during these times of chaos and war, to love yourself without reservations and to love each other without restraint. Unless you're into leather.

— Margaret Cho

Question:

My boyfriend and I have had unprotected sex and my last period was 2 months ago (in 10 more days). I've had a two week delay on my period before, and I'm pretty volatile and feeling cramps every now and then but still....no blood. I'm scared to death I may be pregnant but I absolutely CAN NOT tell my mom. I'd be disowned, without a doubt. So....please help me!! I'm getting desperate enough as to seriously consider an abortion because my body can barely support myself, never mind a baby. I heard Vitamin C helps induce a self-inflicted abortion, too. I'm saving up for a test at Planned Parenthood, but I'm still nervous and scared as all heck. Words of advice??

read The answer | ask your own
If you didn't have safer sex in the past, but do now, what changed that the most?:

S.E.X. by Heather CorinnaS.E.X. by Heather Corinna"The Our Bodies, Ourselves for the MySpace generation, a comprehensive course in sexuality and sexual health for teens of any orientation and their parents, teachers and counselors. In a society that all too often scolds and belittles teenagers deserving of more credit, S.E.X. is revolutionary." ~ Curve Magazine

The All-You-Need-to-Know Progressive Sexuality Guide to Get You Through High School and College covers everything from ovulation to orientation, body image to birth control, masturbation to misogyny, the clitoris to cohabitation, STIs to WTFs. CLICK HERE to find out more about this in-depth, inclusive, positive book and where you can get one, or hop to Amazon to nab yours now.