August 2012
46 posts
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Waiting for side effects to go away
Someone asked us:
I am on a new set of birth control pills. My symptoms are tiredness, anxiety, moodiness (LOTS of crying!!), and a very low sex drive. I feel if I ask to change pills then my health care provider will say, “Your body needs time to adjust to the new pills.” Is this true? Will a few months solve all of my symptoms? And would a lower dosage help ease (or eliminate) my...
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Should I take my regular birth control pill if I...
Someone asked us:
If I take the pill daily, and I feel like I may need to use Plan B if I’m worried, should I take my regular birth control pill that day as well?
Yes. If you’re on the pill and you take Plan B (also known as the morning-after pill or emergency contraception), you should continue taking the pills from your birth control pack as you normally would. But if you’re taking...
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Will hormones in the pill affect the results of a...
Someone asked us:
If I am on the pill, and I had to take a pregnancy test, would the hormones in the pill affect the result of the test?
Nope — pregnancy tests are 99 percent accurate, whether or not you’re on the pill or any other form of birth control. The hormone that a pregnancy test detects in your urine is called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and it’s only produced during...
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Planned Parenthood: Trans* Identities →
We’ve talked a little bit here in the past about gender and trans* issues. Now we have a whole page on trans* identities, trans-folks, transitioning, and what it means to question your gender identity. Check it out.
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Will I have my period if I use Depo?
Someone asked us:
I got the Depo shot yesterday and I am freaking out. I’ve been reading online and I am so scared that I’ll never have my period or never be able to have kids. I am just scared. Yesterday was my first shot ever and I’m supposed to have my period in 2 days am I still going to have it? Please help me.
Hi there! Go ahead and take a deep breath — it’s really easy to get sucked...
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The Body: 10 Common Fears about HIV Transmission →
Ever heard you can get HIV from a toilet seat? Or from sharing a drink, or even eating in a restaurant? TheBody.com has this run-down of some of the most common myths about HIV transmission.
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Can I bring someone with me to my pelvic exam?
Someone asked us:
At Planned Parenthood, can I bring my boyfriend in with me for my pelvic exam?
A lot of people feel a little nervous before a pelvic exam, especially if it’s their first time getting one. And holding someone’s hand always helps when you’re freaked out at the doctor’s office. But many health care providers don’t allow other people in the exam room, for a number of different...
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Which IUD is most effective?
Someone asked us:
How do copper IUDs work? Are they just as effective as regular IUDs?
There are two kinds of IUDs – Mirena and ParaGard. While the Mirena IUD contains progestin, a hormone (like the one found in birth control pills) to prevent pregnancy, the copper IUD is hormone-free. The copper IUD — also sometimes called the ParaGard IUD — works by preventing sperm from reaching the egg....
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Someone asked us:
Hello! I’ve been using the Nuvaring for a few months now, and I’ve had difficulty searching for the answer to my one question about it - is it safe to have an orgasm with it in? I’m just worried that it would hurt or get misplaced while having an orgasm. I know it’s a dumb question but I’m tired of having to take it out every time I have...
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Someone asked us:
Hi, I haven’t had my period for about two months so I’m going to get a test either today or tomorrow - if I am pregnant, I would want to get an abortion. I heard about the option of taking an abortion pill. Is there a certain number of weeks you must be under in order to be able to take the pill? I heard you have to be under 11 weeks but I thought I would just ask...
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Someone asked us:
I’ve been on low dose birth control for a couple months now to regulate my period. My boyfriend and I have been talking about having sex sometime soon. Is this birth control an adequate way to protect myself? Or is a stronger dose safer?
Birth control pills are 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy when they’re taken correctly. This is true for all birth control...
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Elle: How often should couples have sex? →
How often “should” a couple be having sex? As often as works for them! But lots of people feel like the writer of this article — like they’re not measuring up. Do you ever feel self-conscious that you and your partner don’t do it “enough”?
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Birth Control and Weight Gain
You might need to sit down for this one. It kinda goes against everything you’ve ever heard or learned or maybe even experienced. But it just so happens to be true. Are you ready?
There is no evidence that taking birth control pills causes you to gain weight.
I know, I know. Your cousin. Your best friend. Your dental hygienist. They’ve all complained about gaining weight while taking the pill....
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Are we supposed to buy special products for our...
Ever worry that you’re not sufficiently concerned about your “feminine pH”? It’s a scary medical-sounding term that you’ve probably seen pop up in ads for everything from tampons to body wash. (And it makes me think of those little orange pH testing strips we used to use in high school chemistry, which I would prefer to keep out of my vagina.) One ad warns that “sex, your period, or even soap”...
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Shaving your pubic hair
Someone asked us:
Q. Is it bad not to shave your pubes? I’m 17 and I’ve never shaved my pubes before and I was wondering if that was unhygienic? I’ll probably do it soon but I’m just afraid that since I’ve never shaved down there ever, I’m scared that it’s unhealthy or something….
Not to get all Shakespeare on you but, “To trim, or not to trim,...
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Can a gynecologist tell if you're a virgin?
Someone asked us:
Q. Can a gynecologist tell if you’re a virgin or not?
Virginity means never having had sex, but people may define “sex” differently. But in general, there is no easy way for a nurse or doctor to determine if you’ve had sex or not — which is all the more reason you should tell her or him.
It’s important to be honest with health care providers so they...
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Project T.R.U.S.T Makes Me a Better Person. →
Planned Parenthood affiliates all around the country support peer education programs that give young people the skills and information they need to be a positive sexuality resource for their friends and peers. Check out this story of one person’s experience as a Planned Parenthood peer educator.
marisssaann:
This is a reflection I had to write about my experience as a Sex Ed peer educator for...
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Birth control without hormones
Someone asked us:
Q. I can’t take birth control pills (the estrogen in them gives me massive migraines). What other types of birth control are out there that don’t involve changing a person’s hormones.
Bummer about the migraines, but fortunately there are a lot of birth control options available for someone who wants to avoid estrogen, or hormonal contraception altogether.
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Different sized breasts
Someone asked us:
Q. I’m nineteen and one of my breasts is larger than the other. Is this normal or is it something I should be worried about?
Normal. Normal. Normal. Having different sized breasts is really common. In fact, most people’s breasts are slightly asymmetrical, uneven, or hang differently. Nothing to worry about. Testicles, too, are another body part that come in slightly...
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Oral Sex
Someone asked us:
Q. I was wondering if there are any effects or things to know about oral sex. My boyfriend and I are becoming more sexually active and although not to the point of intercourse, I was concerned about making sure that there aren’t lurking dangers that I haven’t been warned about. Utah’s Sex Ed curriculum is not near informative enough, and I’ve yet to see...
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Scarleteen: THT publish sexual health guides for... →
The Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) has published two groundbreaking booklets on sexual health for trans people. Each one contains basic – yet valuable – information on trans bodies and health needs.
Each booklet tackles a whole bunch of common questions, such as: do post-op trans women…
(via scarleteen and Trans Activist)
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Crying after sex
Someone asked us:
Q. Is it normal to cry after losing your virginity, in a safe, consensual situation?
Yup, it’s normal. For many of us, having sex for the first time is a big deal, and losing your virginity is often an emotional experience. Excitement, nervousness, relief, intimacy, happiness, love, and regret are just some of the feelings that can accompany sex. Sex that is safe and...
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How do you know when you are ovulating?
Someone asked us:
Q. Are there any telltale signs that you’re ovulating? And what’s the best way of keeping track of your cycle so you can avoid sex during ovulation? Also, do you think that’s a good method to try? Because I’m too broke for birth control and I don’t like the feel of condoms so I don’t know what else to do.
Yes, there are some telltale signs of...
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How much does an IUD cost?
Someone asked us:
Q. Do you guys do copper IUDs? Could you give me an estimate of the cost without insurance?
Yes! Many Planned Parenthood health centers offer the ParaGard IUD. You can search to find the one nearest you that offers ParaGard using our health center locator.
In the United States, IUDs come in two flavors: ParaGard and Mirena. ParaGard contains copper and it lasts for up to 12...
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