choices

Without hormones, our bodies would not be able to function! Hormones are essentially chemical messengers that deliver the memo to cells that they are supposed to change up what they're doing. Not all hormones are sex hormones; there are lots of kinds! Many hormones are produced by our endocrine...

There's no sense in being anything but frank. Sex does tend to change things. It can bring about or illuminate changes in the relationships it occurs within, changes in our other relationships, and changes in ourselves. Often, we have to add some factors to our lives we may not have had to before...

We get asked this question a lot. A whole lot. The trouble is, there's just no way to give you and others the sort of answer I suspect you are looking for. But I certainly can tell you why I can't do that. Sex -- of any kind, whether we're talking about intercourse, oral sex, manual sex...

Frankly, if I had a partner -- at any age -- who, from the onset, was trying to talk his way out of cooperating with managing risks, risks that I would bear the greatest burden of, I wouldn't just insist on a condom. I would insist on not being sexual with that person at all. I -- and you -- deserve...

Recognizing that you have negative beliefs about sex and sexuality is a huge step in clarifying what you think to be true and the value system you want to follow. That is a major task of growing up, and not just related to sexuality. As we move through youth, adolescence, and young adulthood we are...

Is your boyfriend or girlfriend more than a couple of years older than you? Here’s a scoop on age differences and what to watch out for.

Hi Lucy! I think you may need to give yourself a break. It sounds like have a good partner, good relationship, and healthy attitude towards sex. You've educated yourself and are practicing safe sex (I assume, from your post). This is more than many young women can say for themselves! Good for you!...

You just answered your own question. You don't need me at all! :) If you don't think you can handle a sex life right now, and you don't feel like sex outside of a certain context -- which you are not currently in or don't have the opportunity to be in -- fits with what you believe or is going to be...

There's no reason for you to feel guilty or horrible about having the thoughts and concerns that you do. Being exclusive with someone is about making a choice, and a choice that is -- ideally -- meaningful if and when we make it. If it was rote or easy to make it wouldn't be meaningful. If...

I used to know God was real. And I knew sex outside of marriage was wrong. Then I lost my faith, and fell in love, and everything turned upside down. One readers story of her struggles to resolve her conflict between sex and religion.