honesty

For birth control pills to be effective in preventing pregnancy, they have to be used correctly and consistently. Taking a birth control pill after sex won't do anything to prevent pregnancy. And yep: it can sure make you feel a little loopy and confuse the heck out of your cycle. In order for your...

You will need to tell new partners about a sexually transmitted infection you have or have had, particularly one like human papillomavirus (HPV) where condoms reduce the risks of transmission, but not as well as they do for other kinds of infections. Putting someone knowingly at risk of an infection...

Hey there, freakout. I'm so glad you've found so much help here, and kudos to you for thinking about all of this in advance of sexual activity! Really, that's an ideal we're always all hoping for. If everyone had all of this information in advance, we'd all be a lot healthier, and probably have much...

Do you want to have a better sexual experience this time, as well as a relationship of real quality -- in which someone loves, likes and cares for you just as you ARE, not based on a persona -- with your new boyfriend? If you do, then it's really important to be honest. When we're dishonest with...

The membrane you're referring to is the hymen, also called the vaginal corona. When fully or partially present, the hymen consists of thin folds of tissue that partially cover the vaginal opening. However, the hymen is something that usually gradually wears away -- rather than "breaking" -- over...

We talk a lot about sexual safety and safer sex here at Scarleteen in terms of your physical health. But what about checking in to see if sex is safe for you and yours emotionally? Taking care of your emotions, looking out for risk factors in advance -- not just when they become an existing crisis -- and safeguarding yourself, your partners and those around you from needless hurt and harm is just as important as doing what you can to prevent STIs and unwanted pregnancies.