Is abortion dangerous?

Having an abortion is a very safe, low risk procedure and is actually ten times safer than giving birth. Abortions can be done in a hospital where they give you a general anesthetic (where you are asleep for the procedure) or in a clinic with a local anesthetic (which freezes the area so you don't feel any pain). Abortions can be performed safely and legally up to 20 weeks (5 months) in Canada. Having an abortion will not affect your chances of getting pregnant in the future, even if you have more than one. There are some low risks with having an abortion so it is important to follow the after care instructions that the doctor gives you to reduce the chance of getting an infection. In most cases the risk is very low and there is treatment available if you get an infection. Your doctor or the clinic or hospital will explain the possible risks to you before you have the abortion.

Will the Pill make me fat?

Some girls find that they might gain a bit of weight when they first start taking the birth control pill. It's normal to have some side effects when you start taking the Pill but they usually last for just three months. Your body needs a few months to get used to the hormones from the birth control pill so gaining a few pounds is a normal side effect. Some girls find that they also lose weight or that they don't gain any weight at all. When your body is still changing and growing, it's easy for your weight to change quickly as well. There are many different kinds of birth control pills so if you find that after three months you are still experiencing side effects you can go see your doctor and talk about changing to a different pill.

Are there different sizes of condoms? Where can I get them?

There are many different kinds of condoms you can try out. Some brands offer condoms in different sizes but generally they are all similar in size. You might want to experiment until you find one kind that fits right for you. Using water-based lubricant with latex condoms can make it easier to put it on. If you put a couple drops of lube on the inside of condom, it will go on your penis easily and can also make intercourse more pleasurable. Condoms come in lots of textures, shapes and colours - even flavours. Some are already lubricated and some are not. You can always try putting on condoms while you're alone to find one that feels good so you won't feel uncomfortable when you're with someone.

You can buy condoms at drugstores, novelty sex stores or pick them up for free at clinics or from your doctor.

I want to have sex for the first time, what kind of birth control should I use?

If you are thinking about having sex for the first time, there are two things to think about:

• safer sex - protection from sexually transmitted infections (STI's)
• birth control - protection from getting pregnant
• There are many different kinds of birth control to choose from to protect against pregnancy. Using a condom or a latex barrier is the only method that does both - protects against STI's and pregnancy. Condoms are easy to get - you can buy them at a drugstore or pick them up for free at most clinics. Here are some things to think about when you are deciding what kind of birth control to use:
• can you talk to your partner about it?
• how much money do have to spend on birth control?
• does it have to be discreet so no one will know about it
• do you or your partner feel comfortable going to a doctor to get a prescription?
• would you or your partner feel comfortable using a kind of birth control like a diaphragm or cervical cap that has to be put in the vagina before sex?

If you are having intercourse with someone of the opposite sex, then you need to think about protection from pregnancy. Whether you are having sex with a girl or a guy it is important to protect against STI's.

It seems like a lot to think about but it's a good idea to look at all the options and potential risks so sex can be a safe and enjoyable experience for you.

How long can sperm live for?

If a guy ejaculates directly in a girl's vagina, his sperm can travel up the vagina, through the cervix (which is the opening to the uterus) and eventually into the uterus. It can live in the vagina for 6 - 8 hours and in the uterus for about three to five days. That means a girl still has a chance of getting pregnant up to five days before she ovulates or releases an egg from her ovary. For example, if a guy and a girl had sexual intercourse on Monday and the girl was not supposed to ovulate until Friday, an egg could still be fertilized by the sperm. If a guy ejaculates outside the vagina, the sperm usually dies after a few minutes.

What side-effects does the Emergency Contraceptive Pill have?

The Emergency Contraceptive Pill (ECP) (Used to be known as the Morning After Pill) can be great to use if you had intercourse and didn't use birth control or the birth control method you used didn't work. There are some side effects that go along with it.

• You might get an upset stomach and throw up. If you throw up within an hour of taking a set of pills, call your doctor or clinic because you may need to take another set of pills. It is usually recommended that you take a Gravol tablet around 30 minutes before you take the second set of pills and have something to eat as well.
• You might bleed a bit after taking the ECP but this may not be your period. The ECP may make your period come earlier or later than usual.
• You may also have diarrhea or cramps.

All these side effects are normal. If you are worried about any of the side effects, you can always call your doctor or the clinic to check with them.

There is a new type of ECP out called Plan B. It has fewer side effects but costs more. If you are interested in knowing more about it, you can talk to your doctor or call a clinic in your area.

There's a lump on my breast, what should I do?

Lots of girls find lumps on their breasts, especially when their breasts are still growing. The majority of lumps found on breasts at any age are harmless. Sometimes, girls can develop small fluid-containing sacs around the time of their period. They can be found around the armpit and will probably disappear in a few days. If you have a lump on your breast that becomes bigger or doesn't go away after a few days, you should go see your doctor about it. Although breast cancer can be a concern for a lot of women, it is rare for teenage girls to have it.

The best way to check for lumps is to do monthly Breast Self Examinations. It will help you get to know how your breasts feel normally so you can tell if anything is abnormal.

Do girls have more pubic hair than guys?

Whether you're a guy or a girl, the amount of pubic hair you have could be different. Pubic hair can start to grow at different times and can look different on everyone. Just like how everyone has different hair on their head, pubic hair is the same. It can be thin or thick, straight or curly, blond, brown, black or red. Sometimes, because girls might start to develop pubic hair a bit earlier than guys the same age as them, it can look like girls have more but eventually guys have just as much as girls do.

My vagina has been really wet lately, what does that mean?

There are lots of reasons your vagina could be wet. Most girl's vaginas produce natural lubrication or fluid. Many girls get extra wet around the time of ovulation (when her ovary releases an egg). Your vagina could be producing more lubrication when you're turned on or horny too. A girl's vagina produces this fluid to keep the vagina clean from bacteria. Sometimes it means that your period could be coming soon if you have never had a period before. If being really wet is new for you, it can take some time to get used to. Normal vaginal discharge is wet, clear or milky white in colour and it shouldn't be itchy or irritating. If it has a different colour or smells different than ususal it could be a yeast infection or an STI so you may want to check with your doctor or go to a clinic. Having a wet vagina is something that almost every girl has to deal with it. You can always talk to your doctor if you're concerned.

Can my hymen (cherry) be broken with a tampon?

Hymens are a thin piece of skin that partially covers the vaginal opening. Most girls are born with them and they can be torn or stretched from many things. It is completely normal for a hymen to tear when a girl is young. Using a tampon can be one way that the hymen can break. It can also tear from riding a bicycle, playing sports or having something in your vagina like a finger, penis or sex toy.

My vagina is really itchy and has a lot of discharge coming out of it. I've never had sex before so what could it be?

There are some infections that girls can get that are not passed on by having sex. What you have could be a yeast infection (which can also be passed through sexual activity) or something called Gardnerella which is very common. Every girl has a natural amount of yeast or bacteria in her vagina. Sometimes the yeast or bacteria can grow and cause itching, pain or a thick white or grey discharge from your vagina. Sometimes it can smell like fish too. These kinds of infections can be uncomfortable but they are not harmful. If the symptoms are bothering you, you can see a doctor and get cream or tablets to treat the infection. You can also get capsules full of yogurt at a health food store and insert into your vagina. Yeast infections can be caused by stress, eating a lot of foods with sugar or chocolate, taking antibiotics, taking the birth control pill, or pregnancy.

Here are some tips to prevent getting a yeast infection or Gardnerella:

• Always wipe yourself from front to back after going to the bathroom.
• Avoid using deodorant tampons or pads, perfumed soaps, bath oils or feminine hygiene sprays.
• Wear cotton underwear during the day. Avoid wearing underwear when you sleep.
• Wear loose fitting pants.
• Avoid douching.
• Change out of your wet bathing suit or sweaty exercise clothes as soon as possible.
• Eat less sugar, chocolate and artificial sweeteners.

I had a pap test and my doctor said it was abnormal. What does that mean?

If your pap test was abnormal what it means is that there was a slight change in the cells of your cervix. This is usually nothing to worry about. It may be because the pap test was done near the time when you had your period or near the time when you last had vaginal sex. Douching or having a yeast infection can also cause an abnormal pap test. If your pap test is abnormal, you may be asked to have another pap test in 6 months. A pap test may show abnormal cell growth that is called "dysplasia". Dysplasia means that there is a change in the cells of your cervix that in the future might become cancer if they are not treated. If you are having sexual intercourse, have a pap test once a year to check for abnormal cells on the cervix.

What exactly is douching and does it really prevent pregnancy if you douche after having sex?

Douching usually means rinsing the vagina with water and/or a special solution using a bottle with a nozzle. In the past, women were told that douching right after sex could prevent pregnancy but this is not actually true. Women were also told to douche to treat vaginal infections, wash away vaginal fluids and to get rid of any odours.
Douching does not prevent pregnancy and flushing a liquid into the vagina may in fact force sperm into the uterus and increase the possibility of getting pregnant
A disadvantages to douching is that it can wash away the normal bacteria in the vagina which can leave you open to or help the spread of infections into the uterus and fallopian tubes.
You can clean your vagina by washing your vulva gently with warm water and mild soap.