Asked by: TC, boston

Answer: Women are born with a thin layer of cells covering the entrance to their vaginas (called a hymen). The hymen helps to protect the opening to the vagina, an area sensitive to infection. There are one or more small holes in the hymen to let out the menstrual fluid. The first time a woman has sex this tissue can be stretched open, causing a little bleeding (and maybe pain). But for many women, the hymen is stretched long before the first time they have sex. It can happen from sports, riding bikes, or an injury. These women wouldn't bleed, even though it's their first time having sex.

Asked by: anon, boston ma.

Answer: Regardless of whether you are pregnant, you should get medical attention if you bleed for that long. It may be nothing serious, but it's important for a health care provider to evaluate you and make sure you are okay. If you are in fact pregnant, extensive bleeding like that may mean you had a miscarriage, or it may mean something else is going on and the pregnancy is fine. There is no way to know without getting medical help.

Asked by: A.M., Hyde Park, Massachusetts

Answer: [From Rebecca's colleague] Thank you for writing. After reading your email, I guess I'm a little concerned that you're worried this boy might leave you after you have had sex. It sounds like you are unsure about the way he feels about you and think that he might only be interested in what he can do with you physically. Most relationships at your age do not end up being lifelong, so it is best to focus less on the physical stuff and more on having fun and getting to know the other person. Most girls who have sex at your age, wish later that they hadn't, and I don't want you to have any regrets. I had sex for the first time when I was just a little bit older than you, and I wish I had waited. I'm not sure if you know this, but sex at your age is also against the law and if your boyfriend is 16 or older, he could be charged with rape if you two have sex. My advice to you would be to wait on sex and protect yourself from the risks that might come with it...risks like an unplanned pregnancy, a sexually transmitted disease, or a broken heart.

Asked by: hj,

Answer: What a great question! There are plenty of ways to show affection without sexual activity. A lot of times we show affection physically because it's the only way we know how, but non-physical ways to show affection are often times even more meaningful. You could write a love note, give a gift, plan a fun date, make your sweetie's favorite meal, make a card, make them a cd with their favorite songs on it, help them out when they need it, or tell them how you feel. The list could go on and on!

Asked by: gyc, boston, mass.

Answer: What a great question! You clearly want to be the best friend that you can. Being there for her is a great start. That might mean going with her to the doctor for a pregnancy test, calling her to check on how she's doing, or writing her a note or card to tell her how important she is to you. Maybe spend a little more time with her so that she has someone around to talk to if she needs to open up to someone. Listening well is a great way to show someone you're there for them. If she hasn't told her mom or another trusted adult about her situation yet, maybe you can help her think of what to say or even sit with her during the conversation. Even if your friend's not pregnant, this is a hard time for her, so anything you can do to help comfort her or make her feel more secure, will help her a lot.

Asked by: cp, Framingham MA

Answer: I've talked to many girls in your situation, and know you must be pretty scared. The first thing you should think about is whether you have a trusted adult in your life that you can tell. One of the hardest things about what you're going through is wondering about all the possibilities... those thoughts can be overwhelming, especially if you feel alone. If you can tell your parent or another adult, they should be able to help you think things through and make decisions. You also need to find out if you are pregnant- many of the girls who come to our clinic actually aren't! Getting a pregnancy test at a clinic is the best way to know for sure. Many pregnancy health centers offer this service for free- let me know if you need help finding one. If you're not pregnant, I'm sure you'll be relieved, but take some time to think about how to avoid this situation in the future! There are lots of resources on this site to help you. If you are pregnant, you'll have some hard choices to make- to become a parent, to place the baby for adoption, or to have an abortion. None of these choices are easy. Again, it will be easier to process this with an adult (parent, counselor, etc.), because the different options are complicated and could impact you for a very long time. Think about how each choice might affect you, your partner, your family, etc., both now and in the future.

Asked by: A.J.B,

Answer: Abstinence is a choice that anyone can make at any time. It doesn't matter what a person's sexual preference might be or even if they've chosen to be involved in sexual activity in the past. Most communities agree that when it comes to sexual activity, it's realy the only 100% way of protecting one's self from the risks that are both physical and emotional. Hope that answers your question. Thanks for asking!

Asked by: T C, Lawrence, MA

Answer: Thanks for your question, TC. On this site we talk about how the healthiest choice is to wait until you're in a faithful, lifelong relationship (like marriage) to have sex. Before that, there are risks like STDs, unintended pregnancy, and intense emotions that can make it hard when the relationship ends. There are some laws related to sex with teenagers. In Masssachusetts, sexual touching with someone under the age of 14 is against the law. Sexual intercourse (including oral sex) with someone under the age of 16 is against the law, even if both people agree. Hope this answers your questions!

Asked by: 14, boston, ma

Answer: Yes. STDs are spread in two main ways— by contact with infected body fluids (blood, semen, vaginal secretions) and by skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. Any kind of sexual contact— from touching in private areas to oral sex to vaginal intercourse— can lead to infection.

Asked by: M.A, Everett,Ma

Answer: Rubbing in private areas with your clothes on cannot spread disease, however it's definitely going to make it harder to cool things down and not go further! (like taking your clothes off, which would put you at risk for sexually transmitted diseases). Check out the limits section of our site below for ideas about how to make sure you don't go further than is safe or than you want to.

Asked by: RB,

Answer: Oral sex is mouth-to-genital (or private area) touching.

Asked by: R.D.C.R, Lowell,MA

Answer: I'm glad you asked this question- it comes up a lot. No, you can't get pregnant from oral sex. Pregnancy can only occur if sperm come in contact with the areas inside or outside of the vagina. Although it's not possible to get pregnant, oral sex has other risks, like STDs, emotional heartache, or regret.

Asked by: sp, boston MA

Answer: Good for you for waiting to have sex again! You're making a healthy choice for your body, heart, and future! You don't need to have sex to keep up your sex drive. There are many people who don't have sex at all until they are married, and enjoy just as high of a sex drive and receive just as much pleasure- if not more, because they're not worried about their partner leaving them in the morning, or getting an STD or pregnant.

Asked by: NA, BROOKLYN

Answer: Yes, it is possible for there to be some bleeding when a woman is pregnant, although most of the time, a woman doesn't get her period and that is her first clue that she is pregnant. If there is a chance you may be pregnant, you should be evaluated by a medical professional as soon as possible.

Asked by: , lawrence, Mass

Answer: Hi! Thanks for your question. You asked about the meaning of oral sex. Oral sex is mouth to private area touching. Some people consider this type of touching sex, while others might call it a type of sexual activity. However you choose to define it, you should be aware that choosing to engages is oral sex could mean putting yourself at risk for things like STIs or sexually transmitted infection. Thanks again for asking!

Asked by: AB, lowell,ma

Answer: I'm glad you wrote. If you have any reason to think you might have a sexually transmitted disease, you should get tested as soon as possible. The earlier you find out if you have an STD, the better, in terms of being able to handle the situation. The closest clinic to you is at St. Joseph's Hospital: St. Joseph's Hospital Public Health Clinic 220 Pawtucket Street Lowell , MA 01854 Phone : (508) 453-1761 Day/Hrs : Tue (3:30 pm - 5:00 pm), Thu (11:30 am - 1:00 pm It's important that you know that the more you are involved in sexual activity, the more you are at risk for getting an STD, having an unplanned pregnancy, or suffering from the emotional impact sex outside of a faithful, lifelong relationship can have. The healthiest relationship you can have is one where you find ways to show you care about someone that don't involve sexual activity. Although you don't need to tell you mom in order to get tested, it will most likely be a lot easier for you emotionally to go through this with the support of her or another trusted adult in your life. Please email us again if you want some suggestions about how to approach your mom with this information and to ask for her help.

Asked by: ls, boston, ma

Answer: Good question. Most likely no, because the anus is not connected to the vagina, which is where sperm enter a woman's body to fertilize an egg (pregnancy). Pregnancy can only occur if sperm come in contact with the areas inside or outside of the vagina, so if that happens in the process of having anal sex, then it woudl be possible. Although it is unlikely you would get pregnant from anal sex, you would still be putting yourself at risk for getting STDs.

Asked by: J.R, Dorchester, MA

Answer: Since you're 15, you should be able to see your regular doctor without your parents coming with you. Any information shared during your appointment legally has to remain confidential (they won't tell your parents). If you would rather not be seen by your regular physician, Boston Medical Center has an STD clinic that offers testing at no cost. Being concerned that you might have an STD can be a stressful and scary situation. I would encourage you to think about talking to a parent or other trusted adult in your life so that you don't have to go alone and can have their support.

Asked by: JL, Boston, MA

Answer: Yes. Sexually transmitted diseases are transmitted either through the exchanging of bodily fluids or through skin-to-skin contact with an infected area. Vaginal sex, oral sex, and anal sex could all put someone at risk for STDs.

Asked by: AR, LA California

Answer: In general, vaginal bleeding that occurs during sexual intercourse should be checked out by a doctor just to make sure everything is okay, so I would encourage you to see your doctor right away. Sometimes intercourse can cause irritation to the vagina and lead to some bleeding. You should be aware that bleeding can also be a sign of a type of infection (STD or otherwise), which is why it's important to see a doctor. Try not to worry, but get checked out soon!

Asked by: MM, Pensacola Florida

Answer: Thanks for taking the time to write us. I'm sorry for what sounds like an uncomfortable situation. Unfortunatly, we are not medical professionals and cannot give medical advice so my suggestion would be that you visit your healthcare provider. He/she will best be able to diagnose your problem and treat you accordingly. Again, thanks for your question. All the best!

Asked by: , lowell,mass

Answer: Thanks for your question! When referring to "sexual issues" there is a whole range of things that might be meant by that phrase. In order to best answer the question it would help to have a context, an example of how the term is being used. Often times, however, the term is used to describe difficulties that someone is having in the area of sexual health. Hope this helps!

Asked by: A.D, lawrence, massachusetts

Answer: It sounds like you don't want to have sex with him, which is certainly the healthiest choice for you physically and emotionally. It can be really hard, though, when one person wants a more physical relationship than the other. Sometimes it feels too hard to work through, and you might decide it's easier or better to break up. If you do decide to stay with him, you need to make sure you are clear about your limits and that you don't let him pressure you into doing something you don't want. Regret never feels good! Check out the information below for some skills to help you resist pressure.

Asked by: L.E.W, Boston Ma

Answer: Oral sex does have risks. While you cannot get pregnant through oral sex, it puts you at risk for sexually transmitted diseases, all of which can be spread through oral sex. Oral sex or any other kind of sexual activity can create a strong emotional bond between people, which can make breaking up especially painful and hard to get over. Also remember that if your boyfriend really likes you, he'll like you regardless of whether you have oral sex with him or not. If he respects you, he'll respect your decision not to do something you're uncomfortable with or that could put you at risk. I had a friend in high school whose boyfriend was always pressuring her to give him oral sex. Afterwards, she often felt used. To this day she regrets doing something that she didn't want to do in the first place. She wished she had someone to talk to, because she didn't know the risks involved. Many girls don't. There are so many more meaningful ways to show your boyfriend that you care about him. For some ideas, you can go to the Great Date page on our website.

Asked by: ABC, lowell, ma

Answer: If neither person has an STD when they get married (and they can only know for sure if they are tested) and they are faithful to each other, then they will not be at risk of getting STDs from each other. Sometimes people also use condoms to prevent pregnancy. In that case, the couple would have to decide if they wanted to have children then, and if not, could choose among many options for avoiding pregnancy.

Asked by: AD, Dorchester Mass

Answer: Well, that depends on what you mean. Sex by itself is not dangerous, and can be a wonderful part of a lifelong relationship with just one person, like marriage. But sex outside that kind of relationship is risky, because one person could infect the other with an STD that they got from a previous relationship (usually without even knowing it!) That would probably count as "dangerous", especially if it's an infection that doesn't go away, or that doesn't get treated and leads to bigger problems like not being able to have children. But remember, you can avoid the risks associated with sex by choosing to wait for sex until you're in a faithful, lifelong relationship!

Asked by: y.m.c, Lowell, MA

Answer: STDs all take a different amount of time to show up in a person's body after s/he is exposed (usually through sexual contact). It might be several weeks or even months sometimes before the disease or infection would show up on a test.

The only way for someone to know for sure if s/he has an STD is by getting tested, since many people experience no symptoms (they look and feel fine). It's very important for any person who has been sexually active to get tested, and then get tested again a few months later to make sure nothing has shown up (while making sure s/he's not getting re-exposed in the meantime- that means no sexual contact).

Asked by: AMT, Cambridge, MA

Answer: Cold sores are a form of the Herpes virus. There are two types of Herpes- Type I, which is primarily in the mouth region and is often called cold sores, and Type II, which is primarily in the genital region and is called genital Herpes, which is considered an STD. Both forms are very contagious. Genital Herpes *can* be spread to the mouth region through oral sex. It sounds as though your friend may have contracted Herpes this way. This is a viral disease, which means that there is no cure for it. However, there is medication that can make the outbreaks less painful and less frequent. Your friend should get tested. Herpes is a highly contagious disease which can easily be passed to others through kissing or even sharing a water bottle or lip balm. It's important to know that oral sex is not a "safe" form of sex- all sexually transmitted diseases/infections can be spread through oral sex. If you have any more questions or would like to talk to someone, please feel free to email again. Hope this helps!

Asked by: rs, dorchester

Answer: The bump could be a number of things. It could be nothing, or it could be something more serious. If you have been sexually active, it is possible that it's a sign you have a sexually transmitted disease. Since you are concerned and it seems to be something that wasn't there before, you should go to a doctor and get it checked out. Boston Medical Center does free STD testing and testing is confidential. I know it can be scary to go to a doctor to get tested, but it is so much better to know than to not know and the earlier an STD is detected the better. If you have any more questions, please write again.

Asked by: ,

Answer: It is rare, although possible, for someone to contract a sexually transmitted disease through oral sex and then for that STD to be passed on to someone else through kissing. Most STDs actually do not have signs or symptoms, so it does not mean that someone doesn't have an STD just because there is no STD visible. An STD does not need to be visible to be passed on to someone else. If you or someone you are in relationship with has been sexually active, it is important that you/they get tested. There is probably somewhere in your area that provides free, confidential testing. In Boston, you can go to Boston Medical Center. YOU ARE PROBABLY FINE, so don't get too worried. Definitely know your partner though and take your time to get to know someone before becoming physical with them.

Asked by: ia,

Answer: I'm glad you're asking this question! People have lots of different reasons for deciding to wait until they are in a faithful (just between you two), lifelong (forever) relationship like marriage to have sex. The main health reasons are to be protected from sexually transmitted diseases, unplanned pregnancy, and the emotional heartache that can come from having sex with someone outside of a permanent relationship once the relationship ends. Some people also have religious or moral reasons for deciding to wait, or want to stay focused on their life goals and not be distracted by a sexual relationship. Still others feel it will be more special if it's just with one person for life, or want to make sure their mind is clear of memories of past relationships so they aren't thinking about someone else when they're having sex with their spouse. Whatever the reasons, choosing to wait for sex is a healthy decision, and one that people rarely regret!

Asked by: jsb, ravenswood , wv

Answer: No. There can be some drawbacks to masturbation, though. Every time a guy experiences sexual release (ejaculates), hormones get released in his brain that connect him with whatever he is looking at at the time. Over time, these mini-bonds or connectsions get stronger if allow you to bond with whatever picture is before you. So, every time you masturbate, you're actually training your brain to bond to whatever you're looking at or thinking about at the moment. Over time, this may impact a person's ability to bond with another person. If masturbation is done while viewing pornography, it becomes more difficult to bond with a "real" person when they want to.

Asked by: PL, Taunton, MA

Answer: I'm glad you are thinking now about how to stick with your decision to wait. Some suggestions:

• Choose your friends carefully— friends who support your decision and can help you through relationship choices will be a lot more helpful than friends who might not respect your choices.
• Avoid situations where you might be more likely to compromise your limits, like maybe being alone with your partner late at night or going to parties where people are drinking.
• When you start a new dating relationship, talk to your partner about your intentions and set expectations and limits for your relationship early on.

Asked by: HD, Lynn, MA

Answer: It's never too late! You can always start again and decide to hold off on sex from now on- until you're in that committed relationship with just one person for life. You certainly don't want to keep making more decisions you might regret. Make a promise to yourself to wait- better yet, find a friend and promise together. Then you can help each other make healthy choices. Check out the information below for more ideas and suggestions.

Asked by: GP,

Answer: Maybe because that's what most things around them (TV, movies, advertising, magazines, etc.) are telling them... we live in a very sex-saturated society, and most of the messages are about how everyone is having lots of sex, how to have more if you're not, or how to have it better. There's very little attention given to teenagers (or adults for that matter!) who are making the decision to put off the physical until they're sure they're ready and it's safe- in a faithful, lifelong relationship. Good for you for asking tough questions and being willing to take a stand!

Asked by: JP, Dorchester, MA

Answer: Discharge just means anything released from the vagina, and it can be healthy or unhealthy. For example, women naturally release a fluid related to their menstrual cycle (cervical fluid), which is healthy. But if a woman has an infection, it can cause an unhealthy discharge to be released. If you are concerned about whether discharge is normal or not, talk to your health care provider.

Asked by: tcc, Brooklet , Ga

Answer: If someone has been raped, they should immediately tell a trusted adult and get medical attention. If they do not have a trusted adult in their life, they can call 911 or the RAINN Hotline- 1-800-656-HOPE. The hotline will automatically transfer them to the closest rape crisis center to them. Rape is never the fault of the victim and is never okay. Rape may make someone feel violated, hurt, alone, angry, sad, depressed, afraid, betrayed, and a number of other things. Someone can be raped by a stranger, but often times it is someone that was known by the victim... an aquaintence or even someone they are dating. Any kind of sex that is forced is considered rape and is illegal. Nobody should ever be pressured or forced to have sex.

Asked by: s.j, lynn massachussets

Answer: This is a very good question, I'm glad you asked. We talk about this in class quite often. Here's how it works: Periods have to do with the female reproductive system. Every month, tissue made up of blood vessels builds up inside a woman's uterus to prepare for ovulation— when an egg is released from the ovary— and possible pregnancy. Unless a sperm fertilizes the egg (pregnancy), the egg disintegrates, and the lining of tissue and blood in the uterus that would protect the fertilized egg isn't needed. The body sheds the unneeded tissue, which flows out of the uterus, through the cervix, into the vagina, and out of the body. This is called menstrual flow, menstruation, or having a period.

Asked by: C.R, bOSTON MA

Answer: A virgin is a person who has never had sexual intercourse, so a guy or a girl knows for themselves if they are one or not. It has nothing to do with whether or not a girl bleeds the first time she has sex. Some women bleed the first time they have sex and others do not. I don't like the label "virgin" much, though (and you'll notice we don't use it on this website)... I think it puts too much emphasis on the first time someone has sex, rather than on their choices now. The reality is, even if you've already had sex, you can choose not to have sex again until you are in a faithful, lifelong relationship. If that's the case, saying that person's not a virgin isn't that helpful, because they're making healthy choices about their body and heart now. The word "virgin" is often used to judge people or make them feel bad, and that's not okay. The label "virgin" also doesn't include other forms of sexual activity, such as oral sex, so it doesn't even really mean that much. Oral sex and other kinds of sexual activity put you at risk for getting STDs and having your heart broken by someone you've shared a very intimate part of yourself with. So my advice to you is to worry less about titles like "virgin" and just focus on making healthy choices with your relationships, heart and body... if you do that, there's very little you'll look back on and regret.

Asked by: MM, HARTFORD CT

Answer: Irregularities in your menstrual cycle can perfectly normal, but can also be very stressful! Many women don't have a 28-day (or "monthly") cycle, but have shorter or longer cycles, and it's not uncommon for cycle length to vary from month to month. Being on the patch usually regulates a woman's cycle, however. If you're just starting it, your cycle could still be off. If you have any question that you might be pregnant, you should take a pregnancy test to be sure. Many clinics offer tests for free (check www.pregnancycenters.net to find one near you) or you could buy one at any drug store. Wishing you the best!

Asked by: cl, Dochester Massachusetts

Answer: Someone can miss their period for a number of reasons. Some of the reasons include an increase in exercise, stress, or weight loss. It would probably be a good idea to share this with a trusted adult and go to a doctor so they can check things out. Sometimes younger girls miss their periods if they have only recently started getting periods, because their bodies are still adjusting. I would just go see your regular doctor to make sure everything is okay.

Asked by: yv, naples, florida

Answer: I'm glad you wrote. I must say, though, it concerns me that you are seriously considering having sex with your boyfriend even though he doesn't know enough about you to know that you have not had sex before. I'm not sure if you are aware of the risks of sex outside of a faithful lifelong relationship, but I want you to know them so you can make educated decisions about your body. If your boyfriend has been involved in any sort of sexual activity before, having sex with him would put you at risk for getting a sexually transmitted disease. Some of these diseases are incurable and can cause a significant amount of damage or hardship. Most people with an STD don't have any symptoms, so you can't tell by looking at your boyfriend if he's infected. The only way to know for sure is to be tested. There's also the risk of unplanned pregnancy and the emotional impact sex can have on someone. If you don't end up with your boyfriend long-term, having sex with him can make the break-up even more painful. Take your time and get to know him better and allow him to get to know you. Make sure you always feel respected and secure in the relationship and that you're not feeling pressure to have sex. When I had sex for the first time, I was your age. I now regret it. I had sex because I wanted to make HIM happy and because I thought that sex would bring us closer together. It didn't, and we broke up. Two out of three teens who have had sex wish that they had waited. These are all just things for you to keep in mind as your making this important decision. What I want for you is what I want for every young person--healthy relationships and a healthy future. And remember, if he really loves you and is committed to you, he'll wait for you. You're worth waiting for!

Asked by: sh, roxbury, ma

Answer: That's a difficult question. Certainly not everyone loses the respect of others when they have sex— some people even seem to gain respect. This unfortunately often comes down to gender, with girls being called awful names and guys getting smiles of approval. Most people at some level value sex as a special expression of intimacy that is worth saving for a committed relationship. Sharing that early or with more than one person might cause some people to judge the people, especially a girl, involved. One of the consequences of choices we make is that they impact how other people think of us, either for good or for bad. You need to remember that your value as a person is not determined by what other people think or say about you. And if you have been involved in sexual activity in the past, you can always choose to start over, and make different choices the next time around.

Asked by: JD, boston ma

Answer: By protection I'm assuming you mean condoms. Condoms can reduce the risk of transmitting most STDs if they are used correctly and consistently (every time any sexual contact occurs), but they cannot provide 100% protection. The only way to avoid risk completely is to wait to be involved in sexual activity until you are in a faithful, lifelong relationship (like marriage) with an uninfected partner.

Asked by: kk, Derry, NH

Answer: Good for you for deciding to wait to have sex- this is the healthiest choice you can make! Your question probably originates from an old myth about the 'risks of not ejaculating'. The truth is, when a male goes for a long time producing sperm without ejaculation, the body has its own way of releasing them to make room for new sperm. It's called "nocturnal emissions"; this is the technical term for what most of us call "wet dreams". There have been some recent studies looking at whether there is an increased risk of getting prostate cancer due to men ejaculating more or less frequently- but the research isn't clear on how or even if there is a connection. And the health benefits from abstaining most certainly outweigh any possible (and if so, slight) risk increase there might be!

Asked by: S.E.G., taunton ,Mass

Answer: I’m glad you asked. Oral sex has been getting a lot of attention lately, and lots of teens have questions about it. Both oral sex and vaginal sex have similar risks associated with them. You can't pregnant from oral sex, but all the other risks of sex outside of a faithful, lifelong relationship are still the same, like STDs and emotional impact (heartbreak or regret, for example). All sex, whether oral or vaginal, is best left out of a relationship until marriage, which is the only way to be 100% protected against these risks.

Asked by: ,

Answer: The safest sex is in a mutually faithful lifelong relationship (like marriage). Having sex outside of that kind of relationship puts you at risk for sexually transmitted infections, unplanned pregnancy, and emotional heartache. While condoms may reduce the risk of unplanned pregnancy and some STDs, there is no 100% way to be protected from the risks of sex before marriage except abstinence. And condoms do nothing to protect the heart. Abstinence is choosing not to have sex until you're in a faithful lifelong relationship. Waiting for sex is the healthiest choice someone can make before they enter into a relationship with someone they know they are going to be with for life.

Asked by: mf, california santa maria

Answer: Anal sex does have risks. The first risk is getting a sexually transmitted disease. Sexually transmitted diseases can be contracted through the exchange of bodily fluids and through skin to skin contact--both of which occur during anal sex. Many STDs are actually more easily transmitted through anal sex than other forms of sex. The second risk is the emotional impact sexual activity can have between people who are not in a faithful, lifelong relationship. There is a bonding that can occur when two people are sexually active and it can be painful when that bond is broken (i.e. the relationship ends). The safest sex is between two people who are in a mutually monogamous (no other partners) lifelong relationship (like marriage).

Asked by: t.u.,

Answer: This is a good question. Sometimes the technical terms for certain things can make it confusing. Vaginal sex, or vaginal intercourse, is when the male reproductive organ (the penis) enters the vagina.

Asked by: am, dorchester, ma

Answer: It's normal to have sexual feelings at your age- it's part of growing up. There's nothing wrong with having feelings, but it's important you learn how to handle them in a healthy way that protects your heart and body. Sex comes with a lot of risks that could change your life forever, like pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease. You should also know that sex and even sexual touching is against the law at your age. Take your time to get to know the guys you are interested in and don't rush into anything. Most girls who have sex at your age end up wishing that they had waited. You don't want to do something that you might regret later. Enjoy your friends and have fun getting to know them...leave the serious stuff for later, there will be plenty of time for more serious relationships in the future.

Asked by: st, boston, ma

Answer: Yes, that can be painful, but it doesn't last long and does not cause any permanent damage.