As an alternative for women who can't take birth control pills, some women turn to female condoms for their desired mode of contraception. Female condoms are sheer, large balloon-like condoms (larger than a male condom). Female condoms are...
Gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted disease, affects around 13,000 pregnant women each year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Gonorrhea poses risks for an unborn child both during the pregnancy and at the time...
Instead of the male wearing a condom during sex, it's possible for the woman to use one to protect against STDs and conception. Female condoms are made from polyurethane and measure approximately 6- to 7-inches long. One end of the female condom...
The withdrawal method of birth control involves removing the penis from the vagina just before ejaculation. This method isn't very effective in preventing pregnancy because males often forget to pull out before they orgasm or they can misjudge...
Condoms are the only proven method for reducing the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases during intercourse, according to American Social Health Association. In addition to protecting against diseases, condoms can also help prevent...
Overview With all of the talk about sexuality, birth control and dating, there's a vocal group that believes that you're being encouraged to become sexually active. This is not the case at all, unless you feel pressured from your friends or your...
Teenage pregnancy is something every teen that is sexually active needs to consider. According to the Guttmacher Institute, in 2006, 750,000 women under the age of 20 became pregnant. If you are a pregnant teen, everything you do to your body...
Chlamydia, among the most common sexually transmitted diseases, affects an estimated 100,000 pregnant women each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This disease not only poses substantial risks to women but also to...
Q. Can a man withdraw from a woman before ejaculating to prevent pregnancy? A. Absolutely not. This is not a form of birth control. Some guys say they will pull out, and then they get so excited and carried away that they don't or forget. It is...
Hotline Phone Numbers in The United States (We appreciate our readers from outside the U.S.A.; we will be adding hotlines for you!) If you have found this page from another site, we’re glad you stopped by. Check out the links to the rest...
If you are having sex, then keeping safe means using condoms. Furthermore, condoms should meet certain requirements to be considered safe. You should not use a condom passed its expiration date or that was stored in a very hot location, like a...
According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), schizophrenia is a chronic and severe mental illness that makes it difficult to function and have normal relationships with others. Common symptoms of schizophrenia include hearing...
Contraception involves taking action to prevent pregnancy. The basic facts about contraception can help clear up any misunderstandings about birth control, as well as provide new information on the topic. Basic facts about contraception are...
About Rape How Do I Get Medical Help? What NOT to Do Before a Checkup How Do I Report an Assault to the Police? How You Can Help a Survivor of a Sexual Assault The rape of women and children seems to becoming more and more common, even though...
Overview Understanding your sexuality and sexual health is important during your teenage years. More than 12 million cases of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)...
Overview Masturbation can be defined as self-stimulation to cause sexual excitement. The use of the word masturbation suggests that the person is manipulating his or her genitals to the point of intense pleasure or orgasm. An orgasm is a...
Phoenix is home to several medical groups and clinics staffed with board-certified doctors. These locales address a range of family planning needs, from education to unwanted pregnancies, well women care and fertility treatment and referrals, in a...
A condom is the only method that will protect against both sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy. Condoms come in all styles, colors and sizes. Usually when we hear the word "condom" we immediately think of the male condom. But the female...
A condom is the only method that will protect against both sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy. Condoms come in all styles, colors and sizes. Usually when we hear the word "condom" we immediately think of the male condom. But the female...
An STD test may consist of a blood test, a sampling of genital fluids or cells, a visual examination of the genitals or a urine test. STD tests are available for these common sexually transmitted diseases: herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis, hepatitis B...
Talking about sexuality isn't easy for many parents, but from the simplest level when they're toddlers, to the complicated issues facing teens, your kids need to know they can come to you for information and support. Don't worry if you're...
Teenage drinking is a major problem all across the U.S. According to the Marin Institute, 11,317 Americans ages of 12 to 20 try alcohol for the first time. While drinking in moderation at a legal age is not a problem for most people, drinking...
By definition, abstinence is the act of refraining from sex. But teens today tend to make up their own interpretations of the word: To some, abstinence may mean completely refraining from all sexual activity; to others, oral sex is O.K. In fact,...
It may be difficult trying to decide which method of contraception is the right choice for you and your partner. Learning about the different types of contraception, associated risks and side effects, and efficacy is important. No method of...
As much as you love your family--OK, so you don't always love your family, but most of the time you do--you need friends in your life. Especially when you are a teenager. When you are with people your own age it is usually easier to have more fun...
Contraceptives are widely known to offer protection from unplanned pregnancy. Condoms not only aid in family planning but can also protect against the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Although the prevention of pregnancy and...
Q. I'm getting a lot of UTIs (urinary tract infections). Can this be from oral sex? A. Yes, it could be, but see your gynecologist for a urine culture to find out exactly what organisms are causing your bladder infections. You could also see your...
Overview The term sexually transmitted disease (STD) is applied to any group of diseases spread by sexual contact (sexual intercourse, oral-genital contact or anal sex). According to the American Social Health Association, about 19 million...
Birth control allows women to take control of their bodies by preventing pregnancy and regulating their menstrual period. For someone that would like extended protection, the hormonal IUD called Mirena may be the best choice.