I was reminded of this here today, but it's something that comes up here a lot, so I wanted to say something about it. In a word, what the title says: this is for those of you who are in a place or position, and make choices, where you're someone thinking or speaking out more progressively than othe...

Before anything else, just want to toss a thank you your way, TheNiteHawk. Being committed to stepping up and standing up for groups you're not a member of isn't something everyone does, and particularly as a member of this group, my thanks for your compassion and investment. One way to do some of t...

I'd also add in that if condoms are really reducing sensation, chances are you either aren't using them as best they can be used per pleasure, or aren't using a brand or style that works for you. Are you/is he: • Putting a little lubricant on the inside of the condom? • Trying extra-thin styles? • T...

Sure thing! Feel free to use the link at the bottom of the page here to contact us with the address of your school if you would like me to donate a copy!

Are you currently enrolled in school? If so, how about requesting these books at your school library?

I am happy to donate copies of mine to school libraries, for the record.

I just want to add here that in the future, forcing any kind of sexual activity like that is not wise and can result in injury, which it sounds like it may have here. If and when someone cannot enter your body, the thing NOT to do is to force it until you are screaming. :( No one can actually say if...

When someone does not start a combined hormonal method like the pill at the same time a period starts, or on or before the first Sunday afterwards, it may take as long as one full cycle of pills for it to be effective, which is why one month of backup is suggested for those starting the pill at othe...

Hey Shiloh, per the guidelines you agreed to when registering, please remember to search the site first for information before posting a question, okay?

This piece should answer that question for you: http://www.scarleteen.com/article/bodie ... t_abortion

Have you looked into what healthcare services your college will be providing? Many colleges offer sexual healthcare services AND mental healthcare, so if you can hang in there, it may well be that once you start school, you'll be able to easily access both of these kinds of care. Mind, it might also...

While clinic/doctor practices vary, more times than not anymore, I'd say this actually is not even something a doctor is asking. What I have found is more common is for this to be addressed on intake forms -- especially if the healthcare is specifically sexual healthcare -- and on those forms what i...

I think the tricky bit with that is that there are many people who do not know which activities pose those risks -- especially STI risks -- so asking it that way would be very problematic and often result in a patient not getting the healthcare or tests they need. In other words, that way of asking ...

You're welcome. :) Have you yet started getting any sexual healthcare, LadySteph? If not, since you are sexually active, it'd not only now be time to start with basics like an annual GYN exam, pap smear and STI screenings, but it also sounds like you could use a conversation with a healthcare provid...

Chances are you simply have not observed your discharges frequently, or with as much interest, as you are now when you are worried about pregnancy. That's often the case for users expressing they have never noticed what is typically just normal discharge before. If you are concerned about a pregnanc...

So, sounds like that is the next step for you. What he or you will just want to do is look for styles that say they have a "snugger" fit or base.

Can I ask if you have tried several different styles and sizes of condoms to see if that makes any difference? For instance, if sounds like he may need a snugger (smaller) condom than he has been using.

There's been some nicely renewed talk about menstruation -- or more to the point, talk about talking about it -- on and around the 'net lately. So, where are you at with this yourself? Are periods and menstruation something you feel able to talk about without shame, the same way you'd talk about oth...

A toy doesn't have to have been inside the body to pose infection risks, no. Our whole bodies have bacteria on them, so bacterial infections when a toy hasn't been washed or covered are always a maybe all by itself. As well, when we are talking about STIs, any contact with the parts of the body -- b...

I think it'd also be pretty remiss not to talk about making choices in advance when having sex in a given culture or community involves dangers to someone's life. In other words, that when we are not talking about sexual assault, but consensual sex, that it's probably wisest to think very carefully ...

There is a great book, called, "The Humble Little Condom," that is an excellent, geeky history of condoms. I think you might just love it.

Well, intercourse rarely ever lasts that long in the first place. But also, I think myself a pretty open-minded person in this department, but I confess, I'm hoping your sex life doesn't involve the torture of condoms.

You know, the thing is, condoms are tested when they are manufactured before you even get them, and more strenuously than anything someone could do at home. Because you did things that would not happen to a condom via intercourse, this is a tricky question to answer factually. But what we can say is...

I also wonder if anyone wants to pitch in and talk about the heteronormativity that is part and parcel with all of this, since way more times than not, this is a a straight-people-thing rather than something we see much of in queer culture or relationships. (In fact, there are still strong messages ...

This is great input, you guys. That said, Zeitvogel, I doubt that is about the idea of being "a good person." Especially since for a lot of women, having sex at all -- especially outside marriage -- is very clearly often presented as not being "a good girl," but quite the opposit...

My once-roomie of many years ago just set the new 40-44 age group world record in the Gay Games, for the Minnesota's men's 4 X 50M freestyle relay. I am beaming with pride. (In so many ways!)

It is nearly guaranteed that sometime in your life you WILL have sexual problems or conflicts of some kind. Everyone does at least sometime.

So, I always vote against not making something going just fine a problem or conflict. It's great when it's not!