Hi Cassidy, You mentioned in your other post that your period was late. Periods can be late for all sorts of reasons, which you can read about here: M.I.A or, Dude, Where's My Period? Too, a few days late or early is pretty normal cycle variation. Periods won't always come exactly when we expect the...

There's really no way to know that, unfortunately. Everybody's body will react a little differently, both to starting the pill and to taking Plan B, but cycle weirdness is something to prepare yourself for the next month or two at least.

For most people who start the pill either on the first day of their period or the first Sunday after a period, any brand of combination pill will likely be effective after seven days of use, but here at Scarleteen, as many other credible sources suggest, we advise users to give their pills one full ...

It's very normal in a break-up to feel that kind of back and forth in your emotions. Even when a break-up is for the best, there are still going to be things you miss about the other person. That can lead to those random moments of really missing them. As time goes on, the feelings of missing them b...

Pretty much any drug store or grocery store is going to have tampons available. As long as you have some money of your own and a way to get to a store, it should be easy to get them. Can I ask why your parents will not let you get tampons yet?

Hi Fadedpassion, Every body will react a little differently to the pill. So, for some people it will make their periods lighter, but for you it sounds like they don't. That doesn't mean your pill isn't working, and as long as you've been taking it correctly and consistently, you can assume you're pr...

Hi Zaphod,

Yes, since there was more than 48 hours between taking the pill on Saturday and remembering on Tuesday, that would mean this counted as two missed pills. As for skipping your withdrawal week, we recommend people only do that if they have consulted with their healthcare provider about it.

Do you feel like there's one or two of your friends who you're comfortable opening up to about this? The ending of a relationship is rough, and having people who support you and who you can talk to can make it a little easier to get through. That mixture of relief and sadness is really common, becau...

This article has a ton of advice on both finding a counselor and working with a counselor once you've found one: Process This: Getting the Most Out of Therapy Do you feel comfortable finding one without the assistance of your parents, or would you like some advice on how to approach the topic with t...

Hi PixelBomb, You certainly don't have to continue talking here, although we're more than happy to talk about what's worrying you. If you want somewhere more private to talk, you could try coming when our chat service is open. You can find the hours for that here: http://www.scarleteen.com/need_help...

We will not answer ANY questions about pregnancy fear or anxiety in our direct services from users who are not pregnant or who are not or have not otherwise been directly involved with an actual pregnancy. Please do not post this kind of question. If you are seeing this text, and your thread is loc...

We will not answer ANY questions about pregnancy fear or anxiety in our direct services from users who are not pregnant or who are not or have not otherwise been directly involved with an actual pregnancy. Please do not post this kind of question. If you are seeing this text, and your thread is loc...

It does sound like, for both of your sakes, holding off on pushing the issue until after the exams is a good choice. It will remove a stressor that might be effecting the conversation. At the same time, if the same issues are happening without the excuse of exam stress, that gives you important info...

I think you could still approach him using the example that Onionpie gave above. And, truthfully, if even a talk like that leads to a fight or a desire for a "break," then that's a sign that this relationship isn't sustainable long term. Dating when one or both people have a mental illness...

Hi cj, This article covers a lot of the reasons why sex may be painful: From OW! to WOW! Demystifying Painful Intercourse You may also want to check in with a healthcare provider if you think the pain is from a yeast infection, as they can confirm whether or not the one you had is still hanging around

Hi Jellyfish, If you're finding yourself getting stuck on those "what ifs" when all the information you have says the "what ifs" are not realistic, that means there is something deeper going on. This article is a really good place to start, and you can take a look at it and see i...

One option would be to explain it to her in a similar way to how you explained it to us: that you do plan on doing it, but you feel it's best to hold off for a little bit (you can give a little more detail if you want, but I do think you're obligated to). With feeling stuck in a rut, if you do think...

Before his exams started, was he acting in a similar way? In other words, has him ignoring you been something that's been a part of your relationship for awhile?

If you feel like you're having compulsive behaviors around porn use or masturbation, that's something to talk to a mental healthcare provider about (as would be the case with any compulsive behavior). You're right that holding yourself or your partner to unrealistic expectations around sex can make ...

I think it's fair to say that he's in a rough place right now, and he has been up front with you about his need for space. Relationships do have rough patches, and those patches are likely when one or both people are stressed (I will say that stress is not an excuse to be a jerk to your partner, so ...

Hi Wildprincess, It sounds like another conversation might be in order. From what you've described, you're not feeling super confident in your relationship, and he might not be feeling super invested. Your feelings about not wanting to break up because you consider him your first sexual partner is u...

Then it sounds like the better option is to find something to replace masturbation with, at least for a little while (masturbation is nothing to feel guilty over, but if you'd rather avoid it right now, that's absolutely okay). I think, as Karyn said above, the way to manage those frustrated and ups...

You could try strapless bras, or see if you can find bras that have translucent straps that won't be as easily seen through clothing.

You're welcome. And yes, if you are not feeling comfortable without the condoms, going back to them is a good choice.

When people talk about dating, or even finding partners for more casual encounters, we often have one or two images in our head of the "normal" ways or places to meet people. But the truth is, we meet partners in all sorts of places, so this is a space to talk about the different ways peop...