It does! We recommend combining the pill and a condom because it offers a high level of protection against both pregnancy and STIs. With this kind of sex we can never say it's 100% without risk, but that combination makes the risk incredibly, incredibly low.

It sounds like you have a lot of really rough emotions right now. I think one thing that might help is to do what you can to forgive yourself for the choice you made, or make peace with it. You made the choice you thought was right based on how you were feeling. It just so happens that this relation...

Feeling uncomfortable about testing is pretty common, especially given how much stigma we still attach to people being sexual. Can I ask what in particular makes you feel uncomfortable with the idea? As for which things can be transmitted, this article is really helpful: Can I Get Pregnant, or Get o...

Hi Fadedpassion, An abnormal pap doesn't automatically mean you have HPV. The exact meaning of the result depends on what type of abnormal cells they found. As for your concerns about the genetic testing, I would ask your healthcare provider the specifics of the test when you see them. Right now it ...

Hi Gurl93, Unprotected oral sex does pose a risk of STI transmission. And because the most common symptom of certain STIs is no symptom at all, the only for sure way to know is to get tested. Testing can feel intimidating if you've never done it before, but we've got this article to help guide you t...

Good to know. Since you talked to your doctor about these concerns, and I assume they asked you some questions in order to rule out other causes (if they didn't please correct me), then you can assume their diagnosis took those more serious possibilities into account and dismissed them.

Hi SophieR, This sounds like a sticky situation to be in. My first piece of advice would be to check-in with A about how they're feeling about the fact that their friends may still be in contact with C. I would make that part of a bigger check-in with A to see how they're doing and if there is anyth...

Hi Bikinksterboy,

You might be interested in this piece. It's by Ella Dawson and she talks about her relationship to this dynamic: https://femsplain.com/good-girl-256c7da71350#.r6z2leioi

Hi Blueswan, I can't speak to the experience of being Demi, but what I can say is that if that feels like the right identity for you in this moment, you get to choose it. It may be that you identify that way your whole life, or that your identity shifts as you age. Either way, you get to label yours...

Hi Tmanhutch65, Most people who feel sexual attraction, whether or not that's attached to a specific fetish, will have those moments of unintentional arousal when out and about. If you're finding them to be a nuisance, you could try to ignore them or to think of something else to help your brain get...

Hi ejmg24,

Yes, as a yeast infection starts to fade, there will be some residual itching. I would definitely make an appointment with your doctor to make sure you've got what you need to treat the infection.

Hi Jambo, I think your teacher could find a lot of the information they're looking for on this page: http://www.scarleteen.com/about_scarleteen Beyond that, you can tell them that we use the most current scientific research from place like the World Health Organization (and we often include referenc...

Hi Lilly, There is nothing inherently wrong with a large age gap in a relationship, but when one of you is not out of their teenage years yet and the other is almost in his thirties, that's a red flag. It's great that he's nice and respectful to you, but when a 27 year old is pursuing a 17 year old ...

If you're worried about condoms breaking when you use them, this is a great article that covers some common condom mistakes and how to avoid them: All the Barriers! All the Time! Since your pharmacist told you the hole itself is not cause for concern unless you leave it in the sun, you can assume it...

Hi Maeve, If two people have had no sexual contact with anyone prior to engaging in oral sex, then the risk of transmitting an infection are very, very low. There are some exceptions to consider however, which you can read about here: http://www.scarleteen.com/article/advice/can_people_with_no_sexua...

Hi Jellowl, The two major things with anal sex are patience and lube. Like, even more patience and lube than you may be already using. You may also have to build up little by little, so not trying to do full penetration each time. Too, it may be that anal sex isn't something your body particularly l...

Hi Angeldelight, You can read about the effectiveness of combining those two methods here: The Buddy System: Effectiveness Rates for Backing Up Your Birth Control With a Second Method Basically, if that level of protection feels high enough for you both, then you're all set. If not, then you could t...

Hi LGBTQ.Llama, That does sound like a lot of big emotions to deal with all at once. I think you'd find these two articles helpful. One is about taking care of yourself in the wake of a break-up, and the other offers advice on what to do if you're crushing on someone: Getting Through a Breakup Witho...

Hi LGBTQ.Llama, The most likely explanation is that you are, indeed, a "late bloomer." Plenty of people don't get their period until 13, so you're not alone there. In terms of being anxious, it might help to remind yourself that this isn't a sign that there's anything "wrong" wit...

We can't answer for what other people mean when they use that phrase, but it means what it says: something is very, very unlikely, but not impossible.

It may be time to check in again, especially if it's not going away (and even if it is muscle related, it might help to get some advice on how to manage it). You may also want to get checked by an OB-GYN, as they're going to have more experience in examining and diagnosing things that may be related...

Hi Jambo,

You can read about the ins and outs of pregnancy testing here: Peeing on a Stick: All About Pregnancy Tests

As a reminder, we do ask users to search the main website for answers to their questions before asking them here, as the site has lots of information.

New advice column: http://www.scarleteen.com/article/advic ... al_assault

The most information we can give you is from this article: Chicken Soup for the Pregnancy Symptom Freakout's Soul " Some folks, for instance, will have lighter spotting around the time they expect their periods which may be due to an egg implanting itself in the uterine wall: that implantation ...

You're welcome!