No, there's nothing wrong with you. When I was little, I didn't wipe all the time either. But now that you're getting older, you might be more prone to getting infections.. so it's more hygenic to wipe yourself after you pee. Just make sure to wipe, wash yourself in the shower (don't use scented soaps), etc..to prevent from getting irritated or getting an infection.

You can tell if you have ingrown hairs, if there are little dots (black, or if irritated it can be red) where you've shaved, and/or if you have little bumps/pimples. You're more prone to getting them if you have thick hair.
Ingrown hairs can be caused by a number of things:
You should check out this website for a list of causes and effects of ingrown hairs:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Ingrown-Hair---Seven-Causes-and-Eight-Effects&id=77

Oh, and pimples that result from ingrown hairs are caused by an inflamation due to trapped hair/dead skin cells.

You know those, "just say no" messages we kept getting as kids? Well, it still applies in this situation, even when you're 16. I don't mean to sound like an old geezer, but now's the time that people might try pressuring you into doing things you don't feel comfortable with..this is just one example. All you have to say is, NO and that you don't smoke. If they still pressure you, you might have to re-evaluate your friendship with them. Real friends respect your decisions. Choosing not to smoke is not an exception.
This applies in other situations. If you feel uncomfortable doing anything, whatever it might be, then just pass. I know how much pressure there is to do certain things, but you'll be the mature one if you follow your heart.

Our society in general has a distorted image of the "perfect body." In reality, there's no such thing- people all have different body types and structures. The main thing is to be happy with who you are. You sound fine! Be healthy, and confident with your body. Don't compare yourself to unrealistic standards; they can only harm you.
The main thing is to be healthy; eat well, get enough excersize and sleep. That's all you should be concerned about. There are so many girls out there who aren't completely happy with their bodies.. why? They keep comparing themselves to others, and to a completely unfair representation of the female body.
I can go on and on about this- it's something that negatively affects our society.
The best advice I can give you is to remain healthy and not worry about it. Just be confident in yourself, and the rest will follow.

You should try waxing your bikini line.. it hurts, but I think it's worth it. If you want to shave, make sure to use sufficient shaving cream..there's one available for sensitive skin. And don't shave too often, as that can irritate the skin and cause more bumps.. if you're going to the beach or something or you need to be clean shaven, then go ahead. If you are experiencing itching, you can try getting this stuff from the drugstore, i think it's called "no bumps.." there are similar products, and they're in the shaving/hair removal aisle.
To get a smooth shave, use good shaving cream and make sure the razor is in good shape (it's not a good idea to store it in the shower, as the water can cause rusting). Dispose the razors frequently, adn you'll get a close shave.

Masturbating basically means touching yourself down there (or using a vibrator or dildo, for girls). for girls, this is generally done by rubbing/stimulating the clitoris, which can be pleasurable and lead to orgasm. For guys, of course, this entails 'jerking off..' or whatever term you prefer.
Masturbating is a healthy, natural way to release sexual tension and to explore your body and what physically turns you on.
When it happens? that always depends on the person. Many people explore their sexuality through masturbating, and then it becomes something that's done when horny-- to let off the tension.

You could try playing this game called "Lemon." You write down a list of body parts, and then a list of actions you can do with a lemon (squeeze, suck, etc..) You randomly choose a number and go up and down both lists..whichever one it lands on, you have to do something to that body part. If you want, you can also have a list of places to do things.. (it's kind of like sex dice).
An obvious one is strip poker. You could also try feeding each other--strawberries, chocolate, etc.. it's not a game, but it's fun

Like the other columnists said- do not use a tampon when you aren't on your period. It is normal for you to be having a lot of discharge- everyone's different. I recommend getting long pantiliners- I like to use Always pantiliners. Don't use extra thin ones, since they don't absorb a lot. I think that Always work well. You should take a few of them along with you when you go out.

No way, you can't get pleasure from a tampon. I can't even imagine why anyone would want to in the first place, given how crappy we tend to feel that time of month. But no, a tampon (applicator) is thin . and besides, tampons are used only for one purpose.
When a girl has a tampon in, you can't have sex with her-- she'd have to take it out. And even then, most girls don't want to have sex at that time since they can feel crampy, and it's messy. The majority wouldn't want to, but it's possible if she doesn't have a tampon in. During that time, you could try other things; she could go down on you, you could feel her breasts/clitoris.. periods only last a few days (5-7 usually) anyway :)

If you feel shy, then you should wait till you feel comfortable before you take things further. Maybe some things are new to you and you don't know what to expect...but anyway, it's best to just let things happen, and of course to be safe.
If you are with him and want to take things further, a good way is to just take charge and show him what you want him to do. You don't even have to say anything; actions speak for themselves. You might want to just take his hand and lead it to wherever you want.. then he'll understand, and chances are that if he sees you're comfortable, he'll open up too. Or if you want, talk to him about it and let him know that you want to do other things with him. If you both communicate your feelings about it, you'll know what you want from each other and you can take it from there.

You aren't obliged to tell him-- I wouldn't, as this is something personal and may be embarrassing to tell. There are other ways of breaking your hymen-sports, horseback riding, tampons..not all girls pop their cherry through sex. And not all girls bleed a lot when they do. All you have to do is let him know that you broke your hymen through sports or something. Let him know you're being honest, that he's your first.. and that lots of girls break their hymen in other ways. Afterall, the hymen is on the outside of the vaginal opening.

I know how you feel, but since you're friends with this girl, it is okay for you to be honest with her. You could try casually mentioning it to her, and just letting her know you're only saying it for her own good. One thing though, is that she might just brush it off, and just put it in the back of her mind. It'll still be on her mind, though.. but sometimes we tend to deny things. She may figure things out on her own eventually, and feel thankful for your honesty.
If you do your part, the rest is up to her.

I'm Iranian, and trust me, I know exactly where you're coming from. I think at this point, it's safe to just let them know that you're interested in this guy, and that you hang out. They don't need to know every little detail; just let them know you're a smart girl, and that you're friends with this guy, you'll be careful, etc.. I know, it also depends on how strict your parents are. but they'll be even more upset if they find out on their own (parents tend to find out eventually). But don't take my word for it- you know them better than I do. And as for what your mom says about them finding out eventually what you do, it can be true, but you guys have just started going out. You're still getting to know each other and are having fun. You shouldn't have to tell him everything (same thing applies to him). Just go out, have fun, and be safe.

If she was a true friend, she wouldn't be stealing from you. She probably has an addiction to it, since she has stolen expensive things not just from you, but others as well. I would meet up as a group and have everyone confront her about this- if it's more than one person accusing her of it, she might confess. But then again, she might just brush it off.
I also agree with the previous columnist- you should confront her parents about this. Again, re-evaluate your friendship with her. If she lies and steals, then it most probably isn't the best idea to be her friend. Avoid her, and others like her. They're just bad news.
Try not to hang around her- then she won't have a reason to lie and steal.

You could try posting an ad on craigslist.org . You can find almost anything on there- jobs, things for sale, etc., etc. and people post ads requesting lots of things. I'm sure if you posted an ad with a request for a band to play at your party, you'd get a few responses.. then you could meet the bands and decide which one you like best.
Or, try finding a live music bar or club, and asking the owner to help you contact some of the regular bands..I'm sure at least one of them would be willing to play at your party.

Good luck, and have fun!

It's completely normal for you to be feeling this way. Young people these days have a lot of weight on their shoulders. Just know that you're not alone and that you're still young; what you're worrying about will pass in time :)

But anyway, to answer your question:

1) Talk to your friend about how you feel. Trust me, don't bottle up your feelings, as they can eventually boil over. Let her know how you feel, and if she does something to hurt you or annoy you, be up front with her (but be firm, try not to stoop down to her level--it'll make you the bigger, more mature one.)

2) sports- don't worry too much about it. There's a lot you can do, so you can try talking to different coaches..or in your free time, play some sports and figure out what you like best. Don't stress out about it; it's all about having fun.

3) Boys- I know how you feel! I know it's cliche, but they don't call it a crush for nothing. Try to focus on other things too... I know it's hard! Give yourself time to think about them, but try also focusing on other things, like hanging out with friends, having fun, school, etc., etc.. and it'll at least help you think of other things.
You can try talking to them, being friends..see which one you like. But do realize that there are so many guys out there. You may have the butterflies, but butterflies do fly away.

I know i sound like an old maid, but I remember being your age (i'm 22 now), and i know, it's not easy being a teen. Everyone goes through the same things, you are not alone. Just don't worry too much, and focus on YOU. Don't worry, be happy :)

I know exactly how you feel; I tend to be the same exact way. I've always been thin, and I don't even intend to be- it's just the way my body is. Everyone is different. As long as you're healthy, that's all that matters. And I know what you mean by your mom thinking it's strange that you mention it- I sometimes mention that I feel too skinny, and people comment that I'm crazy for even worrying about it (probably cause people in this society are obsessed with body image and being thin).
If you feel like you are normal for your body type, then that's fine. But if you have lost weight and feel like you need to eat more or something, then that's something to think about. As long as you know you are normal for you and your type, then try not to worry about it too much ( I do know how you feel though...i'm the same)
And a reason you may feel to skinny is that you are very active. That's good for you though, and as long as you eat well and have good nutrition, I think you're ok. If you want, you can check your BMI (body mass index) to make sure you have a normal weight-range for your height.
So to answer your question, yes, there are others who feel the same.. and to look healthier looking, just try getting enough sleep, drinking more water, etc. I tend to look tired too, and I think it might have to do with stress levels, and sleeping pattern. OH, and another thing..if you don't already, take a multivitamin. It helps increase your energy level and give you needed nutrients.

Try not to think about it- being too concerned about how you sound during sex can take the fun out of it. And I'm sure that when you do have sex, your boyfriend won't mind your moaning at all, no matter what (in fact, it'll be a turn on). If you do find yourself thinking about it, just try to focus on the moment and on just enjoying sex. If it helps, just close your eyes and focus on you and your feelings..block out all other thoughts and just be in the moment.

I'm so sorry to hear about this. I know how hard this must be on you. But you can do something to help your friend out. Since you don't know her number, you can try searching for it in the white pages, or online...zabasearch.com is really good for trying to find people's contact information, or you can try white pages online. If you have common friends, try asking them, or anyone who knows her, if they know her number or can help you find it.
Once you get in contact with your friend, it'll be really hard to bring up the subject. The same thing happened to my friend a few years ago (she was date raped). Be as supportive as you can; you can try letting her know how sorry you are, that she's a strong person and will get through this in time. Also, if she knows the person who raped her ( a lot of times, girls get raped on a date), she can press charges..that is really important. If she has any information at all about the rapist, she needs to contact the police, even if she may be ashamed to at first. That's one of the main things.
She may want to talk to a councelor about this- it's a serious matter, and talking to a professional who understands will make it so much easier for her. I'm sure there are a number of support groups as well, where she can interact with other victims of rape- the main thing is for her to understand that she is not alone, that it was not her fault, and that she is strong enough to get through this.
You can get information on this website:
http://www.survive.org.uk/

A quick internet search will give you tons of websites for rape/sexual assault support sites.

There are a few things you should keep in mind:
a) the first thing she needs to do is see a gyno. or go to a clinic to get tested for HIV and other STDs. (many clinics offer free testing and counceling).
b) she can go online for support groups
c) the healing process- she should definately talk to a councelor and friends about this.

I hope this information helps you. What happened to your friend is terrible- I feel so sad for her, and hope that she copes with this. She needs to know that there are people who love and support her. And above all, she needs to realize it's not her fault.

Cucumbers don't help fade away dark circles, although they do help calm tired/puffy eyes. What you should do is see a dermatologist. They'll be able to advise you on possible solutions.. I'm not sure exactly but you might be able to get a prescription for something (maybe a prescription cream). You do mention that it's hereditary, but here are some suggestions to at least help minimize dark circles-
an obvious one is to try getting enough sleep..
also, good nutrition is really important. I heard that not getting enough iron can make dark circles worse.
But anyway, the best thing is to see a dermatologist. I also have dark circles, and they usually get worse if I don't sleep enough or am not careful about what I eat.

I am here to give honest advice, when I feel I have something to contribute. I try to be as empathetic and understanding as I can, as I know that the way something is said is as important as the message itself.

I usually advise on love/relationships, friendship and family issues, nutrition, and health (mental and physical). If I feel I can help out, there's not a whole lot I am unwilling to answer. Ask away!

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