Hi Cat, welcome to the boards! Feel free to use this space ask any specific or general questions to the community if any come up!

Hi bluebee, That sounds very frustrating, I’m sorry! But I also want you to know that so many people struggle to enjoy masturbation, so you definitely don’t have to “just accept that you can’t enjoy sex” if that’s important to you. And there’s essentially no rules to masturbating! It may, however, t...

Hey lycheefan! Using both a condom and withdrawal is between 96.2-99.92% effective at preventing pregnancy, and condoms are also a good way to protect from STIs. This article gives a lot more info on the effectiveness of pairing different birth control methods. When used separately, condoms are 86-9...

Just touching it won’t cause the implant to break or stop being effective, and the implant is extremely unlikely to break under most circumstances. It sounds like you have already given your doctor a call about this, and she wasn’t concerned! That’s great, but it sounds like you might still be feeli...

Hi Holly55! Another reason your doctor may have told you not to touch it is to avoid irritating your arm - you don’t want to be prodding your arm or nexplanon constantly, but it won’t damage anything to brush it or touch it occasionally. Do you want to talk more about your anxiety about the nexplano...

Hi transfemandgay, SO MUCH WONDERFUL NEWS!! Prioritizing your happiness and freedom to openly and vibrantly be yourself, even when it means wading through a lot of anxiety and facing a completely new situation, is an amazing act of self love. I’m also glad you were able to recognize that answering a...

Hey froggie! I think it’s totally understandable to be nervous about having anything inside your vagina, especially if you have experienced injury and surgery there in the past. But hernia surgery should not affect your ability to experience pleasure or masturbation! You mentioned that it can be har...

It looks like last time you wrote in, you also asked whether you could be pregnant after 8 negative pregnancy tests. My answer is the same as Sofi's - 8 negative tests that were done according to the directions means that you aren't pregnant. Because you've asked about pregnancy scares a few times, ...

Hi Sam526687, It makes sense that ignoring your interests and desires isn’t a great strategy. Reading erotica is a great place to start exploring your interest in BDSM. But I also really appreciate Carly’s note about using sexual media and erotica for entertainment, not as a “how-to” guide for sex. ...

Hi jenny01, It sounds like at least both you and your mom want you to have more independence, but it certainly is frustrating if you don’t feel you are getting the support you need to get there. Are there any life skills that you want to learn now? Would you consider asking your siblings to help you...

Hi jenny01, I understand the desire and need to be loved by someone else, and it can be really disheartening to feel like no one is attracted to you in this way. But I want you to know that this is NOT a reflection on your attractiveness or desirability. As Heather mentioned, the process of finding ...

Hey PowerPup! No need to apologize, we are here whenever you want to write in! I’m glad you have been able to process a lot of your feelings and that you are in a better place. Sometimes taking time to process is the most helpful, even if it can be really uncomfortable to sit with some of those feel...

Of course! Feel free to ask more questions if they come up

Hi bikinksterboy, I’m sorry to hear about your girlfriend’s insensitive therapist and difficulty gaining autonomy over her healthcare, that sounds so frustrating and painful. I don’t have too much specific knowledge about finding a therapist within the bounds of insurance, but I’ll share what I can!...

Hi Raffles, I’m so sorry that coming out has been difficult and that some people haven’t embraced your identity the way you deserve. Coming out can definitely be energy draining at times, and you aren’t alone in feeling this! But we also want coming out to be overwhelmingly liberating and validating...

There hasn't been much research about the effect of the vaccine on periods or withdrawal bleeds, but it seems like any reported changes are minor or could be caused by many other factors. But if you do experience changes or a little unexpected bleeding, it's not too surprising!

I'm sorry to hear that pregnancy anxiety is affecting you so hard, and that you don't have access to therapy. You deserve a supportive environment, but I'm glad that you are giving yourself space to think about how you can help yourself feel calmer or direct away from your anxiety <3

Bleeding during early pregnancy is generally light/spotting, and isn't considered a period. It also starts after a person has missed their period, as well, which doesn't sound like what you are experiencing.

Hey Aarushi257, It sounds like you are thinking about when taking a pregnancy test will only increase your anxiety surrounding pregnancy instead of helping you feel more at ease, and that's really important. I'm glad you are checking in with yourself! Because it isn't possible to have a period while...

Hi jenny01! First, I want to share this article, Reciprocity Reloaded , which discusses the way we can reframe “giving and receiving” during sex . Rather than framing engaging in sexual activities as a transactional proposal “I’ll give you A if you give me B”, how would you feel about framing it to ...

Hi Pavonis! This question isn’t weird! It’s normal to be curious about having sex, and who you want to have it with (it’s also normal not to want to have sex). You say you “still” haven’t had sex, but I want to reassure you that there is no timeline to have sex, either! Sex is most enjoyable when it...

Hi Hel, I’m so sorry to hear that you’re in pain, going through a break up can be so difficult! But I also hear so many positives from you, that you both feel like this is the right decision, and it allows you both space to do some “soul-searching” while still being friends. But I hear you when you ...

Hi Valentin0, Your feelings are so valid, it can be really painful to crave human affection and/or sex, and not have someone to share it with. But I think it’s really admirable and important that you already have expectations for future partners in that they will embrace you and your disability rath...

Hi ax, I’m so sorry to hear that you have had painful experiences with sex! You wrote - “I know it’s “supposed” to hurt the first time but i don’t know how long it hurts before it feels good.” But sex does not have to and should not be painful, even if it’s your first time! The blood on your underwe...

Hey vambrace! Moving in with your girlfriend sounds exciting! You say - “And I want to be a good partner to him and encourage his transition and the things that will make him feel happy and more fulfilled in his gender”. I think it’s awesome that you are addressing your discomfort with beards from t...