readiness

This is part of our Pregnancy Panic Companion. Click here to go back to the beginning. You said you are scared about a pregnancy, but you (or your partner) have tested for pregnancy and received a negative (not pregnant) result. If you (or your partner) followed the directions of the test you took...

This is part of our Pregnancy Panic Companion. Click here to go back to the beginning. Y ou said you are scared about a pregnancy, but you (or your partner) are currently having a menstrual period, or have already had one since the risk. Has the risk you are worried about occurred during a current...

Then don't! Here's a feast of support and help for those who want to say no, not now, or not-like-this to sex or sexual relationships.

Hooray for thinking about what you might want or feel ready for in intimate or dating relationships before you pursue them! So often people just kind of passively fall into relationships and only then try and figure what they want and need. It's not impossible to do it that way, and there are some...

Many people feel they'd like to reproduce, parent, or both in their lives. I wouldn't say either of those things -- that it's "slutty" or "weird" -- are true about these feelings and desires, whatever your age. I'd say the feelings you're having are some of the most common human wants there are, and...

Hi Emma, Reading this, I get a strong sense that you expect to be judged for your age and your sexual choices. I have no intension of judging you, and I’ll get back to why in a bit. First, though, I want to answer your questions. It's okay that your boyfriend doesn't want oral sex. I know you want...

I don't think there's anything wrong with you. But, boy howdy, does it sound like plenty was wrong with this situation. You did not WANT to engage in sex with this person. You were also clear that you didn't feel ready to have sex with this person once it was obvious to you that you felt that way...

Steelflower's question continued: I'm deadly frightened to tell him because this is something I am really ashamed of. I trust him and know my secret would be safe with him, but I'm terrified that he'll suddenly find me disgusting, or frightening, or that he'll never be able to trust me again -...

We have a good piece on safety when it comes to online relationships and meeting up here, but let's review the basics and talk about you and this situation specifically. Meeting someone who you don't know in person and haven't met before alone, especially if and when they may feel you agreed to be...

The only sound way we can tell if someone has or hasn't already had any kind of sex is by asking them and accepting their answer. Obviously, sometimes some kinds of sex can result in certain outcomes, like pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections, which can also tell us if someone has engaged in...