anxiety

At Scarleteen, we're all about making choices. But sometimes, we see users making choices that are, ultimately, the opposite of the self-care the need in that moment.

The same disorder that makes me feel so insecure, tense, vulnerable and outright petrified, also convinces me that it’s protecting me from harm. The disorder that terrorizes me persuades me to keep it active, as a security system, even though it is anything but.

Some people struggle with strong pregnancy fears when there isn't a pregnancy or hasn't even been any real risk of pregnancy. What's that really about, and how can you move forward?

Generally, fear serves a very important and useful function. It helps us recognize things to validly be afraid of and allows us to defend or put ourselves on guard against or around those things; to do what we need to to keep ourselves safe and sound. Fear of pain is particularly adaptive. It often...

There are a bunch of things you can know and do that I think are going to help you feel a lot better. When we talk about the effectiveness of any kind of contraception, including condoms, we reference two different groups of figures. One is perfect use: that means a person always uses their method...

Before I dig in here, I want to make clear that I don't think there is any one right age, right time, or right kind of relationship for everyone when it comes to what makes sex right or best. That varies from person-to-person a lot, and isn't usually based on something as simple as only how old we...

You know, it can be pretty stressful for guys to feel like they have to have an erection... OR ELSE. It can also be very stressful for anyone to have intercourse for the first time or with a new partner. The real pisser is that stress is one of the most common reasons a guy won't get an erection or...

Pregnancy tests, both the blood and the urine type, are pretty darn accurate these days. So if you've had two negative home tests (HPTs) and a negative test at the doctor's office (assuming they were all correctly taken and done at least 14 days after the last time you were sexually active), then...

Can you see your double-standard here? You don't reach orgasm during sex, but say that you enjoy and want it all the same. Even knowing that -- assuming it's true, and not just something you're saying because you think you're supposed to -- you're presuming that because he isn't reaching orgasm, he...

Research on pre-ejaculate is still a bit on the slim side, but based on what the experts know and report so far, urinating before sexual activity does likely reduce or remove the risk of active sperm being in that fluid. That's not something we can guarantee yet, but that is the general consensus at...