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Q. I recently started exercising (running about three times a week) for the first time in my life. I’ve been having my period for about six years and I’ve never really been regular, but since I began running I haven’t had a period and I’m about a month late now. Both the pregnancy tests I’ve used have come back negative; is this normal, or should I be worried?

It might be normal, and it might not be. Your health can make a difference in how often you get your period. Too much exercise or very strict dieting, for example, can use up all your body fat. You might not have periods if that happens. Stress can make a difference, too.

When used correctly, home pregnancy tests are extremely accurate. But if you’re worried that you may be pregnant, you might want to contact a health care provider. Staff at your local Planned Parenthood health center can help you figure out why your period is irregular and tell you if you’re pregnant.

-Amy at PPFA

Q. Can you make a post about alternative forms of birth control? Every time you mention condoms it’s always LATEX, and a lot of people have latex or other allergies. It would be nice to see an inclusive discussion on the subject, especially for someone like me who feels hopeless at times because of the limitations my body puts on what type of birth control I am able to comfortably use.

Sure thing! About six out of 100 people have latex allergies. For folks who are allergic or sensitive to latex, there are a few options. You can use a polyurethane or polyisoprene condom. These condoms also prevent  pregnancy and the spread of STDs.

The second option is the female condom. The female (FYI, anyone—not just females — can use this condom for anal sex) condom is made out of a synthetic rubber that doesn’t contain latex, so it’s fine for people with latex allergies. And it can be used for vaginal or anal sex.

Everybody is different, which is why choosing a birth control method is such a personal decision. When it comes to finding a birth control option that works for your body — whether it’s the right kind of condom, the right kind of pill, or the right kind of IUD — a health care provider can help you figure it out.

-Alex at PPFA

Does having sex or the type of sex change the frequency of how often I should get a Pap Test done? (penis-vagina sex v. dildo-vagina sex v. nothing-in-vagina sex v. no sex at all) I’m 27.

While having unprotected vaginal sex can make you more susceptible to the kind of stuff Pap tests screen for, regular Pap tests are a good idea for everyone — regardless of whether or not they’re having sex, how much, or what kind of sex they’re having. It’s recommended that you get a Pap test every three years, starting when you’re 21. But you and your health care provider can talk about your health and sex life, to figure out whether you should have them more frequently.

Pap tests screen for pre-cancerous cells in your cervix. Why do pre-cancerous cells sometimes show up in your cervix in the first place, you ask? We know that certain high-risk types of HPV can cause infections that can lead to cervical cancer.

-Alex at PPFA

Today is National HIV Testing Day. Have you been tested? Were you nervous about the results? How did you feel after you got the results? Share your story in your reblog. And if you haven’t been tested in awhile (or ever), we’re here for you!  Check out plannedparenthood.org to learn more about HIV and AIDS, getting tested, or to find your nearest health center.

(image: Centers for Disease Control)

Someone asked us:

Q. Not sure if you folks are the right ones to ask, but I was wondering about lesbian safe sex. What are the actual chances of getting an STD from oral sex? I’ve heard you can get herpes from cold sores, so obviously avoiding oral sex when one’s got a cold sore is a good plan, but outside of that, what are the actual chances of getting an STD from standard lesbian sex?

You’re right, herpes can be transmitted through oral sex. But keep in mind that it can be even when someone has no symptoms at the time.  For lesbian partners, if one partner has herpes, the best way to avoid transmitting it to anyone else is by using dental dams for oral sex. Using condoms on shared sex toys is also a good idea to minimize the risk.  Other STDs like syphilis and HPV can be spread through oral sex, too. And while it’s less likely through oral sex than through vaginal or anal, HIV can also be spread orally.  Even fingering carries a risk — that’s why there’s no such thing as “safe” sex, only safer sex. For sex toys, using condoms and cleaning them regularly is recommended.

If you’re concerned about spreading STDs, you and your partner might want to get tested together beforehand and continue to get tested regularly, as some STDs take a while to show up. And if you go to your local Planned Parenthood health center, make sure to stock up on condoms and dental dams while you’re there!

-Tobias at PPFA

Someone asked us:

Q. I’m in high school and I was thinking about getting a college degree in gender studies. Would I be able to work at a place like Planned Parenthood with a degree like that?

Yes! The people who work at Planned Parenthood have all sorts of degrees and work on all sorts of things, like political advocacy, technical computer stuff, media junk, education, and of course, providing health care to patients.

We’re not guidance counselors, but we think you should major in something you feel passionate about. If gender studies is your thing, go for it.

The Abortion Diaries, a short documentary featuring 12 women who speak candidly about their experience with abortion, is now available online in its entirety. 

Someone asked us:

Q. Where can I get a home pregnancy test? How much do they cost? How reliable are they?

Pregnancy tests are really accurate: Most work 99 out of 100 times if you take it after you miss your period. Pregnancy tests can be less effective if you take them too early or if the expiration date has passed.

You can get a pregnancy test at a drugstore or a health care center. They cost around $15, but this can vary, depending on where you go to get one.

You can learn more about pregnancy tests on our website.

-Amy at PPFA

The New York Times did their homework and they’re letting you know: Plan B (aka “the morning-after pill”) mainly works by preventing sperm and egg from meeting, and there’s actually no evidence that it prevents an already fertilized egg from implanting. Plus, it’s safe, effective, and a huge relief to tons of people. Give us a Like or a Reblog if you’re glad emergency contraception exists! Read the entire article here.

Someone asked us:

Q. I just started taking birth control about 3 weeks ago. It’s a very low dosage (Lo Loestrin) and I took it to regulate my periods. I’ve been getting spotting every day and I’m just curious as to if that’s normal and how long it will last. Also, I’m a virgin, I’m not sure if that’s relevant to the problem or not. I just want to know when I can stop feeling like I’m on my period everyday!

The pill works the same way on virgins and non-virgins, so you don’t have to worry about that. Spotting can be a normal side effect of the pill and usually will go away after the first three months or so. If the spotting doesn’t go away in a few months and really bothers you, let your doctor or nurse know what’s happening — you may want to switch to a different kind of pill. And you can always learn more about birth control pills on our website.

-Amy at PPFA

Q. Any suggestions for explaining the facts of life to 9 year olds? My daughters are curious but disgusted at what I’ve told them so far, and I’m afraid I tend to be too technical when I start explaining things (I’m an OB nurse). Any book recommendations or other suggestions for broaching this topic would be appreciated.

Your daughters are so lucky to have an OB nurse as a mom! And the good news is, talking with your kids about sex and their bodies isn’t about One Big Talk that you’ll either pass or fail — it’s a lifelong conversation. So don’t worry if the conversation you’ve already had didn’t go as well as you would have liked.

Don’t take it too much to heart if your daughters say they’re disgusted or embarrassed by what you’re saying. Like you said, they’re curious – so they’re still listening to what you say. Talking about sexuality can be awkward at first, for them and for you, but it gets easier. Thinking about what you want to say and what values you want to give your daughters ahead of time might help. It can also help to look for things in everyday life to put your discussions in a context that your daughters can relate to, like a TV show or a song on the radio or in your case, simply talking about your day at work! 

The parents section of our website has all kinds of information about how to talk to your kids about sex and sexuality, and what’s appropriate at different ages. There’s also a list of resources to help you talk with your kids on their level.

Your willingness and availability to talk about this, no matter what words you use, is what will make a difference for your girls.

And remember, this is something that a lot of parents wrestle with. Check out this video of FAQs:

-Amy at PPFA

Someone asked us:

Q. If pre-cum gets on the opening of my vagina, is there a chance of me getting pregnant?

We get A LOT of questions about pre-cum.  Here’s the deal:

• Pre-ejaculate — also known as pre-cum  — is a liquid that oozes out of the penis before ejaculation.

• Oozing pre-cum is involuntary, meaning a guy can’t control when he secretes it.

• Pre-cum usually doesn’t contain sperm. But some men’s reproductive systems leak small amounts of sperm into their pre-cum. There’s really no way for a guy to know if he’s one of the guys who have sperm in his pre-cum or not.

So it’s unlikely but still possible to get pregnant from pre-cum. The most likely way to become pregnant is through unprotected vaginal intercourse. If you’re worried about getting pregnant, check out our My Method tool to find the birth control that may be right for you.

-Amy at PPFA

Someone asked us:

Q. If I use the birth control ring, will I need to make any preparations before sex? Will sex disturb the placement of the ring and make it dangerous or less effective?

No and No. Using the vaginal ring (brand name NuvaRing) is safe, simple, and convenient. There’s nothing to do right before having sex. Some women even say it improves their sex lives because it helps them feel more spontaneous.

The ring is very effective. You insert it, keep it in place for three weeks, take it out for one week (Oh hi, period), and then insert a new ring. Or you could use the ring every day without a one-week break to keep from getting your period. If you want to do that, you simply replace the ring every three weeks with a new ring.

Learn more about the NuvaRing on our website. Or check out the video below.

Q. Where can I find more information on becoming a clinic escort? Please and Thanks!

First of all, thank you from the very bottom of our hearts. Our volunteer escorts turn potentially negative experiences into positive experiences and make a real difference in the lives of our patients. Visit our volunteer page for information on how to get involved with your local Planned Parenthood health center.

photo: abiodork

Someone asked us:

Q. Does the hymen serve any purpose? What different types of hymens are there, and how do you know which type you have?

For those needing a little anatomy review, the hymen is the thin tissue that stretches across part of the opening to the vagina. The tissue can be stretched or torn during sexual activity, masturbation, tampon use, or any activity that places gradual and ongoing pressure on the groin area, for example riding a bike or gymnastics.

Why do you have a hymen? Who knows?!?!. They don’t serve any medical purpose. Some people are born without them. While they’re an interesting bit of anatomy, hymens probably don’t deserve all the attention that has been heaped on them over the years. In the olden days (i.e. before 1950 ) when female sexuality was even less understood than today, the hymen carried a whole bunch of cultural significance. In some cultures they still do. People believed that a hymen that had not been stretched or torn was proof of virginity. Blood from a torn hymen on your wedding night signaled that your new wife was a virgin, (and also that she had probably never ridden a bike or a horse). While people have a lot of different ideas of what virginity is and isn’t, hopefully more and more people understand that a missing hymen can be the result of a lot of things, not just vaginal intercourse.

As for types of hymens, you’ve probably heard us say “Different is normal,” and this is certainly true for hymens.  There are many variations of hymens. Some have small openings. Some have large ones. Some have multiple openings.

How do you know which type you have? A mirror and a flashlight are going to be your friends. Spread the labia with your fingers and peer inside. But be warned: hymens can be difficult or even impossible to find. If you’ve already had vaginal intercourse, used tampons, inserted a finger or object into your vagina, were active in sports or gymnastics, rode a bike, horse, mechanical bull, or were born without one, there might not be anything to see.

(Source: plannedparenthood.org)

47 years ago today, the Supreme Court made birth control legal (only for married couples, though). Can you imagine what your life would be like if birth control weren’t legal? 

Someone asked us:

I just started the birth control pill, will it be effective immediately? My boyfriend and I really don’t enjoy using condoms.

The answer to this depends on two factors: the kind of birth control pills you’re using, and the point in your menstrual cycle that you started them. Taking the combination pill? If you start the pill within five days after the start of your period, you’re protected right away. If you start at any other time during your cycle, you need to use a backup form of birth control — like a condom — for seven days.

Progestin-only pills, on the other hand, take 48 hours to become effective, regardless of where you are in your cycle when you start taking them. That means you need to use a backup birth control method for the first 48 hours.

Not sure what kind of birth control pills you’re using? Most people on the pill use the combination pill, but your health care provider can let you know for sure.

Someone asked us:

Q. Once you become sexually active do you have to get a pap smear? What is a pap smear?

Hi there! Maybe you just had sex for the first time and you’re trying to figure out what that means for your health care routine. Maybe you heard about some changes to Pap recommendations recently, and you’re wondering if they affect you. Maybe you’re about to get your first pelvic exam and you’re not sure if a Pap test will be involved. Or maybe answer D, all of the above! Here are some facts about Pap tests (also sometimes called Pap smears).

Pap tests can find pre-cancerous cell changes inside your cervix — potential early signs of cervical cancer. During a Pap test, your health care provider uses a tiny spatula or brush to gently collect cells from your cervix. A Pap test is usually part of a regular pelvic exam.

The recommendation (from leading health authorities) is that women start getting routine Pap tests at age 21. After that, Pap tests can happen about every three years. Some women might need them more frequently — your health care provider can tell you how often you should have a Pap test.

I’m not mad at my boobs… anymore. But I was for a while. Once I let go of the fantasy of magical boob-change via potions or exercises, it was like, “Hang on. You’re saying I’m stuck with these things 24 hours a day and yet I get no say in what kind I have? Thanks a ton, boob fairy.”

For the many years that I was in a fight with my boobs, my verybestfriend-intheentireworld Mars and I would kvetch to each other about our yin and yang boob issues. She thought she was “too small,” I thought I was “too big,” and both of us wasted a lot of our precious youth hating on our chests in earnest. But you know what? We got over it. Here’s how.

Read More →

Someone asked us:

Q. I wanna switch from the pill to an IUD, but I don’t know if I am eligible for one. Can I come in to any PP center and talk to somebody about it?

Yes! You can absolutely visit a Planned Parenthood health center to talk about birth control options. The staff there can address any questions you might have about the IUD — how it works, what the insertion process is like, how much it costs, etc. But you should make an appointment first.

A quick word on IUDs, while we’re on the subject: There’s a lot of misinformation out there. A lot of people think IUDs aren’t right for them because they’re too young/childless/single/whatever, but the reality is most people with uteruses can use an IUD safely.