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Why did my boyfriend’s penis hurt after we had sex?

Sat, 18 May 2013 11:00:16 -0400

Someone asked us:

Why does my boyfriend penis hurt and burn him after we had protected sex and I was on my period?

The pain and burning that you describe could have a few different causes, but rest assured that your period has nothing to do with it.

In general pain around the genitals can be caused by a lot of different things like an irritation from hair removal, a reaction to soap or detergent, or an allergy to latex, spermicide, or lubricant. Pain and burning can also be caused by a STD, so it’s really important that your boyfriend visit a health care provider for STD testing and a checkup.

If you used a condom, it’s possible that an allergy to latex, spermicide, or lubricant could be the problem. While only a health care provider can tell you what’s really going on, you may want to try switching some things up in the condom department. Try using non-latex polyurethane or polyisoprene condoms, or condoms without spermicide.

- Emily at Planned Parenthood

Get tested regularly. Find your local health center.

Thu, 16 May 2013 15:31:30 -0400

Get tested regularly. Find your local health center.

It’s National Women’s Health Week. Make your health a priority...

Tue, 14 May 2013 14:52:25 -0400

It’s National Women’s Health Week. Make your health a priority and schedule a well-woman checkup today.

Celebrate Mother’s Day by supporting and empowering women...

Sun, 12 May 2013 08:18:43 -0400

Celebrate Mother’s Day by supporting and empowering women around the world. Make a donation to Planned Parenthood Global today.

Thanks!

Fri, 10 May 2013 11:07:05 -0400

Thanks so much to everyone who took our survey! Your feedback is going to be really helpful in making posts that you want to read. Not to mention we really appreciate all the kind things you had to say about us.

We’ll be sending out packages to our lucky winners (chosen at random) with Planned Parenthood freebies soon!

Should I take emergency contraception?

Wed, 08 May 2013 12:06:41 -0400

Someone asked us:

I had sex on the 28th and used protection but after, he pulled out and the condom was still inside me. I went to PP the next day for plan b, but they told me that I am already protected because of the birth control I’m on, Lo loestrin. Because they said it would just mess up my bleeding cycle and not benefit me, I didnt take it. However, I have spotted light brown a few times, my breasts are sore, occasional sharp lower stomach pain (left), gas, tired all the time and peeing more often.

Condom scares can be really stressful. One way to keep that from happening in the future is to always make sure you hold onto the base of the condom when pulling out.

If you’re on the pill and you’ve been taking it correctly and consistently, you’re protected from pregnancy and don’t need to take emergency contraception. Taking EC when you’re on the pill isn’t harmful, but it’s not necessary. If something like this happened after you forgot a pill or two, emergency contraception would be a good idea. Learn more about how EC works.

By the way, it’s great that you’re using condoms with your birth control pills. That way you’re protected against pregnancy and STDs. But given the issue you just had with the condom, you might want to think about getting tested for STDs.

- Alex at Planned Parenthood

It’s National Nurses Week. Planned Parenthood nurses are...

Tue, 07 May 2013 11:00:09 -0400

It’s National Nurses Week. Planned Parenthood nurses are part of a team of top-notch healthcare providers who make a difference in people’s lives every day. This week and every week, we are so grateful and say thanks to all our nurses.

Our volunteers are critical to every aspect of our work, and...

Sun, 05 May 2013 12:00:21 -0400

Our volunteers are critical to every aspect of our work, and we’re grateful to them every day. Learn more about volunteering for Planned Parenthood.

Separate abortion facts from fiction.

Fri, 03 May 2013 17:04:06 -0400

Separate abortion facts from fiction.

Great news: The FDA will now require Plan B to be available over...

Wed, 01 May 2013 13:30:13 -0400

Great news: The FDA will now require Plan B to be available over the counter! It’s available for people 15 and older, an important step forward in expanding access. Read more.

Talk about using condoms with your partner before you have sex....

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 10:00:16 -0400

Talk about using condoms with your partner before you have sex. Check out these tips on how to talk to your partner about STD testing.

Check out these awesome vintage cross-dressing photographs from...

Sun, 28 Apr 2013 11:00:00 -0400

Check out these awesome vintage cross-dressing photographs from Mariette Pathy Allen.

Did you see it? Yesterday, President Obama addressed Planned...

Sat, 27 Apr 2013 11:04:48 -0400

Did you see it? Yesterday, President Obama addressed Planned Parenthood.

We’re thankful for his support, and we’ll keep educating patients on what the Affordable Care Act means for them.

Is there any medication to make a penis grow?

Fri, 26 Apr 2013 13:00:05 -0400

Someone asked us:

Is there any medication either otc or prescription that makes the penis grow in length and girth?

So you’re on the internet and you’re wondering how to make your penis bigger. You don’t have to look far to find a whole host of online retailers claiming they have the secret.

The fact of the matter is that at this time, there’s no clinically proven, safe medication to enlarge the penis— no pill, cream, or ancient herbal supplement available anywhere.

There are some surgical techniques available including tissue grafting, fat injections, and detachment of the penis from the pelvic bone — but each of those procedures comes with a number of risks that turn off many of the men who explore these options. Some of those risks include a loss of sensitivity, erectile dysfunction, and infection.

Lots of guys who ask about penis enlargement don’t realize that their penises are actually average size. Studies show that most men have penises between five and seven inches long (and that’s with an erection). Even if you’re smaller than that, you shouldn’t be worried about it. When it comes to pleasing your partner in bed? It’s more about the lengths you’ll go than the length you’ve got.

- Emily at Planned Parenthood

We love you

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 16:58:04 -0400

We asked you in our survey how you describe your sexual orientation. One of our favorite responses:

If sexualities were music notes, where the low ones indicated you like guys and the high ones indicated you like girls, my sexuality would be a slayer guitar solo.

Rock on, tumblr fans. Rock on.

Credit Card? Check. Keys? Check. Condoms? Check. What’s in your...

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:00:09 -0400

Credit Card? Check. Keys? Check. Condoms? Check. What’s in your bag?

Sweden: Leave your gender at the border.

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 11:00:18 -0400

Sweden: Leave your gender at the border.

Hey tumblr friends! We’re trying to make our tumblr better, smarter, and more fun. Please...

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 10:00:29 -0400

Hey tumblr friends!

We’re trying to make our tumblr better, smarter, and more fun. Please take a few minutes to fill out this survey to help us.

As a special thank you for taking our survey, we’re giving away some Planned Parenthood swag to a few lucky respondents. Reblog to share with your friends.

Is it normal for my vulva to smell when I’m on my period?

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 12:00:29 -0400

Someone asked us:

My vagina smells on my period. Is this normal?

Your vulva (your vagina is just the internal part of your vulva) does different stuff at different times of the month. Throughout your menstrual cycle, it’s normal to notice different sensations, different kinds of discharge, and yeah, different odors. This can take a little getting used to, but after a while you should feel pretty well acquainted with the ins and outs of your vulva.

If your vulva is healthy, its odor shouldn’t be unpleasant — at any time in your cycle. Regular showers should take care of some normal body smells like sweat and urine. All you need is water and/or mild soap. Steer clear of douches and feminine deodorants. The vagina is self-cleaning, so douching is unnecessary, and it can be harmful. Douching can disturb the normal balance of bacteria found in the vagina, which is one way a woman can get vaginitis, an inflammation of the vagina.

So chances are your vulva just smells like a vulva. But if you’re noticing a really strong or unpleasant odor, and/or any unusual or smelly discharge, you should see a health care provider right away. It might be a sign of an infection.

- Alex at Planned Parenthood

Happy Earth Day! Find out how your daily environment can affect...

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:54:13 -0400

Happy Earth Day! Find out how your daily environment can affect your health. Learn more.