I think my vagina is really ugly, can I change it or do anything about it?

Many young women are curious about how their vagina looks. Because vaginas are inside the
body, it's hard to get an idea of what a normal vagina should look like. Some girls may not like
the way their vaginas or vulvas appear and some girls find vaginas to be beautiful.

A lot of changes can happen to your vagina while going through puberty or even after puberty. It can change colour, shape and size while it is growing and when you start getting pubic hair. It's important to know that there is no set look for a vagina. It might help to get a mirror and look at it and touch it. Many girls may not like their vagina because they are not encouraged to touch it or because it is generally hidden.

There are books available at women's bookstores or libraries that show pictures of different vaginas and vulvas. Seeing different of vaginas will let you see the differences and similarities among other young women.

My penis gets crooked when I have an erection, is that normal?

Like other parts of the body, for example, noses, penises come in all different shapes and sizes. Some penises are longer, some are shorter, some are broader, some are narrower, some curve to the left or the right and some look like they are crooked. Penises can also vary when they are erect or hard. They might change shape and get much bigger than when they are flaccid or soft or they may stay around the same size. The word erection doesn't mean that your penis has to be perfectly straight, it just means that there is more blood flowing into your penis when you are aroused.

I'm experiencing bleeding and it's not time for my period. Is that normal?

Sometimes girls can experience some bleeding when it's not time for their period. It is usually called "spotting" or "breakthrough bleeding". It can be caused by a number of different things:

• If you are stressed out or if you are sick your period can come at a different time or you could have some spotting
• If you change your eating habits or exercise habits
• Taking the Birth Control Pill can also cause spotting if a pill is missed
  There are many things that can change your period or your menstrual cycle. Most of them are harmless. If you are experiencing any abdominal or lower back pain, or are bleeding more than usual, you should go see a doctor to get checked out.

I'm 16 years old and I still don't have my period, is that normal?

Some girls don't get their period until they are 16 or 17 years old. If you are athletic and
muscular or if you have a low body weight you might not be getting your period. Your body fat needs to be about one quarter of your body weight for menstruation to begin. You might want to ask your mother or aunts when they got their period because they might have been 16 or 17 years old. There can also be certain medical conditions that delay getting a period. If you are concerned about it, you can always talk to a doctor or go to a clinic in your area.

Can you get pregnant the first time you have sex?

Yes, you can get pregnant the first time you have sex. You are able to get pregnant when you start having your period or even before. There is a greater likelihood of becoming pregnant if you have unprotected sex around the time in your cycle that you ovulate. This means there will be an egg waiting to be fertilized by your partner's sperm that could result in you getting pregnant.

Can you get pregnant from anal sex?

No, you cannot get pregnant from anal sex. If a guy ejaculates inside the anus, it will not result in pregnancy because sperm cannot travel into the uterus from the anus. However, if a guy ejaculates outside the anus and semen gets near enough to the vaginal opening, it could enter the vagina and there could be a chance of pregnancy. Wearing a condom during anal sex will reduce the chance of a pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections as well.

Is it bad to smoke pot when you're pregnant?

It's more complex than saying that it is definitely harmful for the pregnancy. It is not definite that smoking pot while pregnant will cause harm to the fetus but there is a possibility. If you find out you are pregnant, it's a good idea to stop using any drugs and talk to a doctor or get more information from a clinic. A good website to look at for more info is www.motherisk.org .

Am I going to get AIDS if I'm gay?

It's a big stereotype that if you're gay you're going to get AIDS. People who are gay are just as much at risk as people who are straight. There are certain sexual activities that can be high risk for transmitting HIV (the virus that causes AIDS):

• Anal sex,
• Vaginal sex
• Sharing sex toys

Some gay men as well as some straight men and women have anal sex which can be a high risk activity. By using a condom, you can protect yourself from HIV and other STI's.

What Sexually Transmitted Infection's (STI's) can you get from oral sex?
The STI's you can get from oral sex are:
Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Herpes, Hepatitis B, Syphilis, HPV and there is a low risk of HIV.
These viruses or infections can be transmitted from the mouth to the genitals or from the genitals to the mouth. To protect yourself, you can use a barrier method like a dental dam or a condom. If you don't like the taste of latex you can try flavoured lubricant or something sweet tasting like chocolate sauce or jam. Do not use anything oil-based as it will break down the latex and make the condom ineffective.

I nicked my penis while shaving my pubic hair, does it increase my chances of Sexually Transmitted Infection's(STI's)?

Yes, a nick on your penis can put you at a higher risk because it is an opening for bacteria and viruses to enter your bloodstream and cause an infection. By using a condom, you can protect yourself against Sexually Transmitted Infection's when having oral sex, vaginal sex or anal sex.