s.e. smith

We’ve been here providing comprehensive, inclusive and progressive sex and relationships information, education and support for young people all around the world since 1998.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common cause of vaginitis symptoms among people with vaginas of childbearing age (15-45). However, half have no symptoms!

I was about 14 when I started to realize that only one of my breasts was developing. That’s weird, I thought.

There are a number of falsehoods about ED floating around from schoolyards to saloons; get the facts here.

Am I blue? Find out what “blue balls” are really all about: the facts may surprise you.

Teen pregnancy and parenting are hard, so if you’re thinking about trying to make it happen, here’s some food for thought.

we hear everybody talking about puberty, attributing everything from the development of breasts to being in a crap mood on Tuesday to it, but what is it, really?

We get a lot of questions at Scarleteen from folks who are worried about periods that are MIA (missing in action, for us civilians).

After a few years of being the postergirl for alternative approaches to menstruation – writing articles, being interviewed, doing workshops, selling washable pads to women and getting involved in too many party conversations on the topic to possibly count – something is starting to give. The truth is, I’m starting to get a little bit tired of being nice. I’ve lost my patience with trying to pussyfoot around the issue until women are willing to talk about their own blood. And so, as a form of cleansing for me and education for you – should you choose to engage in it – I have penned the following set of arguments dispelling the myths about washable menstrual pads and your period. So there.

Vaginal secretions are how the vagina cleanses and regulates itself — how amazing is that? — in the same sort of way that saliva helps keep your mouth clean.