Think about the specific situations you're lying about and work on ways to fix the cause. Do you fib to make yourself feel cooler or more accepted by people — for example, telling your friends that you have a boyfriend in another town, when no such guy exists?. In this case, recognize that real friends would love you whether you're single or not.. Or do you lie to save yourself from getting yelled at, like if you alter your report card because you know your mom will freak out when she sees that C in English?. Perhaps the answer here is talking stuff out with your parents and making sure your relationship is more open.. The most serious kind of lie, though, is the one you tell merely because you get a kick out of it. This is dangerous because your friends and family will soon feel they can't trust you at all. Eventually, you'll be spending a lot of time by yourself. If this sounds like you, consider seeing a therapist or counselor.

With your old friends, you were able to tell a silly joke, voice your opinion, or speak up in class, and you knew how they would react to you. You're quiet around these new kids simply because you're self conscious. Stop worrying! Remember: You had lots of friends before for a reason. So give yourself a social kick-start by making eye contact with others in the halls and in class. Just look at people and smile. That will let them know you're friendly, even if you're a bit shy. When you're comfortable with that, force yourself to say hi to a few other kids. Pretty soon, you'll be able to make small talk about homework. And you'll be surprised at how quickly people will respond to you. Another tried-and-true strategy is joining some after-school activities. You never know—your new best friend could be at the next intramural hockey meeting!

You are experiencing a very common feeling for the "first" of anything. Groundbreakers like you are important; they're innovators and allow others to follow. Before you, there was the first girl to attend a formerly all-male school, and even the first girl to play any sport at all. Without the "firsts," girls and women wouldn't be in the position they are today. That said, who wants to be first anyway? You are always thought of as "the girl wrestler," and it may seem like your entire identity is built on that. There are more aspects to you than just wrestling. Although you may love the sport and competing, you may also be a great cook, or an amazing singer, or a killer biology student. The problem is, of course, that you are a first, and for now the only. You do deserve the attention, but this doesn't make it easy to accept. People are trying to be friendly and appreciative when they notice you for your accomplishment, so you don't want to offend them by being rude. But next time someone compliments you, you can thank them and then nicely point out that you don't always want to get noticed for this. Or you can change the subject and talk about other things going on in your life. Your friends can be especially helpful here by not bringing it up all the time, either. It should be easy to ask them to do that. Because of brave people like you, there will be another "first" soon enough, and you will soon be out of the spotlight. So try to enjoy it a little while you can, too.

You might need to ask yourself why it's so important for you to be friends with her. Is it because she's popular or hangs out with a crowd you really like? If so, that probably isn't enough of a reason to pursue a friendship. On the other hand, there may be qualities about this person that you truly like and admire. Do you share common interests and like to do the same things? If you want to be friends with her because you like who she is, then you might want to try pulling back a bit. Some people (and this girl could be one of them) prefer to be the initiator in a friendship, or want the time to let a friendship develop slowly. Give her some space and see what happens. If she still doesn't respond, you may have to accept the fact that she does not want a close friendship with you. Sure, she says you're one of her best friends, but ignoring you isn't the way a good friend should treat you. Feeling rejected by someone you consider a special friend is hard. But spending time with your other friends, meeting new people, and taking part in the activities you love will help you feel less bummed. In time, you might even question what it was about her that seemed so special to you in the first place.

You are not becoming a boy! That pesky mustache you're talking about is just another normal, healthy sign that you're cruising through puberty. Even in girls, hormones cause what was once fine, blond lip fuzz to turn into coarse, pigmented hair. That's just how it is. If you want to defuzz, go ahead and pluck or wax. You can also ask your doctor about Vaniqa Cream, a new prescription lotion that has been shown to slow the growth of facial hair. Whatever you decide to do, stop freaking out—you're still 100% female.

Ask yourself: Do you enjoy all of your activities enough to put up with the hectic pace? If the answer is no, knock off one or two of the things you don't look forward to as much anymore (besides homework!) And don't do all this just to get into college. "A laundry list of activities won't help secure admission to a selective college," says Marlyn McGrath Lewis, director of admissions at Harvard College. "It's more important to pick something you care passionately about and devote your energy to it."

You shouldn't change who you are to make someone else happy, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't change to make yourself happier. Why is it that your mom feels you need to have more friends? Does she think you seem lonely? Is she worried that you might be unhappy? You might want to ask yourself why it is that you prefer to be alone. You mention depending on other people. Were you let down in a big way by someone close to you? Would you like to have more friends, but are not sure how to go about it, or are you scared of not being accepted? These are all normal concerns.
Obviously, there are many ways to go about socializing more — you could join a club or a team, try to study with other people for tests or class projects, or even get involved with activities outside of school. If the prospect of doing any of this is too scary, you could look into seeing a counselor to talk over why you get nervous being around other people. School counselors and counselors at teen centers deal with this issue constantly — trouble with, or fear of, making friends is one of the most common problems teens have. Talking to someone about it could really help you — and could even help change your mind about socializing more. Now for your mom. It sounds like she's just concerned for you, but is maybe being a little too pushy about it. Let her know that you appreciate her caring about your happiness, and assure her that you are not miserable (if you aren't). Explain to her that you are not an outgoing person, if that's the case, and may never be as outgoing and friendly as she might be, or want you to be. But tell her that you'll take a look at your life and decide if you want more friends, and if you do, then you'll ask her for any help you may need in accomplishing your goals.

No. Wearing polyester or other nonorganic materials (meaning most anything other than cotton) will not cause bladder infections. However, since they don't let your privates breathe, you're at risk for vaginal yeast and bacterial infections. You're much better off wearing all-cotton undies and thongs whenever you can. If you absolutely must have undergarments made of silky strands, make sure the crotch is lined with a cotton strip. And white underwear is really best, since dyes can cause problems, too.

Even though 12-and-a-half is the average age of girls beginning to menstruate, there's a wide range of ages for girls getting their periods. Even being 16 or 17 when you first get your period is considered within the "normal" range. As for your question about weight, the opposite of what you believe usually holds true: It's girls who are underweight who sometimes don't get their periods, because a certain amount of body fat — approximately one quarter of a girl's total weight — is needed to produce hormones. Are you athletic? People who exercise heavily often get their period later than other girls. In short, it sounds like there is nothing for you to worry about, but you should ask your doctor anyway, to make sure — besides, the sooner you feel comfortable talking about your body with people you can trust, the more you'll know about it and the better you'll feel. Regardless, feeling like a "late bloomer" is hard, especially if all of your friends have gotten their periods already and you are the only one who hasn't. But just because certain changes haven't happened to your body doesn't mean you haven't matured in areas like your personality, intellect, hobbies, and friendships. You are developing and maturing in more ways than just hormonally

First of all, ask your doctor why you might be snoring, since people snore for a bunch of different reasons, such as allergies, respiratory problems, sleeping problems, or nasal abnormalities, just to name a few. Once you figure out why you're snoring, you can see about treatments to eliminate or reduce it. One simple thing you might want to try are those nose strips that are sold at most pharmacies. They go over the bridge of your nose and, for some people, lessen snoring.
Okay, now onto the whole humiliation front. If it turns out that you are stuck with your snoring, so be it. Lots of people snore, it's not a big deal (in fact, you're probably far from being the only girl you know who snores! You just haven't spent a night in the same room with her yet). Try to be up-front, off-handed, and/or joke about your snoring, whichever best suits your personal style. If you show your self-confidence and comfort, others will accept you. Sad to say, there will probably always be one mean girl who'll want to point it out just to embarrass you — but if she thinks you're too amused or over it to care, she might back off. Anyway, you'll probably all be so exhausted every night of your trip that you won't be able to keep people up by blasting music, let alone with some gentle zzzzs.

According to the American Cancer Society, there is "no scientific or clinical basis" to an Internet rumor that claims that under-wire bras cause breast cancer. So tell your mom that there is no proof that wearing a bra — night or day — has any link to cancer. Are you having pain in your breasts? Painful breasts are often caused by normal hormonal shifts; many girls feel particularly tender right around the time of their period. But if the pain is consistent, or your back is hurting, mention it to your doctor and ask what might be causing your discomfort. Are you wearing a bra a night because you feel uncomfortable by your developing breasts? Sometimes it seems like they'll never stop growing, or you may feel like they're not the "right" (whatever that means) shape and size. It's stressful when your body goes through such rapid changes or growth spurts. Just remember, no matter how much you think you look weird or different, everyone else goes through similar moments of anxiety and total body trauma.

There is no one right age to start having sex. But before you do have sex for the first time, it's important to understand the risks and responsibilities involved with sex, such as how to protect yourself against STDs and unwanted pregnancy. You should also think about what your plans would be if your birth control failed and you did become pregnant. Ask your partner what he thinks about that. If you two aren't ready to have a conversation about things like birth control and STDs, that might be a sign that you're not ready to be intimate. As for the right time emotionally, I say you should wait until you are confident. Confident that if you choose not to have sex, your boyfriend will not leave you. Confident that if he does leave you, for any reason, you will be able to handle it, and even find someone else who is a better match for you. Confident in your body and comfortable with how you look. Confident that you will have sex at some point, that you don't need to be pressured by anyone, boys or friends. If you can feel confident in all these ways, then you may be ready. And if you don't feel ready, don't worry: This is a big decision, and you'll be glad you spent time thinking it through.

It is so frustrating to feel like you have a "habit to kick." If you could kick it, it wouldn't be a habit! People develop many kinds of nervous habits; nail biting is one of the most common. Others are hair twisting, foot tapping, and pen chewing (a personal favorite of mine when I was younger). A good friend of mine always had to turn around in a complete circle before entering a doorway; she is now a mother and has a career. Whatever the habit, the purpose is to release tension and to feel calm. Many people grow out of nervous habits as they find other ways to cope with stress and tension. There's no reason to worry. But are you feeling particularly stressed right now? You said you feel there is something wrong with you, but perhaps there is just something difficult in your life that you are struggling with — not a problem with you, but a problem that you have to deal with. Pressures with grades, or applying to college, or maybe stressful stuff at home. If there is something on your mind, you could always talk to a counselor about it. Anxiety is one of the most common problems for young people, and it is one of the most responsive to counseling. That means it's easy to change. If you are interested in finding a counselor, you could ask your doctor for a referral, or talk to the school guidance counselor. Is there a teen center in your community? That's always a good place, too. And let your parents know you're a little stressed out, they can help you figure out what's bothering you and come up with some good ways to cope.

Do you mean that you get crushes on other females? If so, that's not really unusual. Your sexuality is very fluid at this stage in your life. (Need I even say, it's obviously okay if you do end up being a lesbian.) You'll figure out your sexual orientation over time. Talking to other kids having similar thoughts and feelings might help.

If you've only had your period for a year, your breasts still have plenty of time. Most girls' breasts continue growing until they're 17 or 18. (If you're underweight, you might not be fully developed until even later than that.) Around then, you'll get a good idea of what your chest will look like. In the meantime, little breasts are nothing to be ashamed of. Take advantage of your flat front and wear whatever you want, such as a tube top or a tank, without worrying about your bra straps showing.

Lots of girls have breasts that are asymmetrical or of two different sizes. For most people, the difference is so negligible that it's almost impossible to notice. Once in a while, though, the different between a girl's breasts can range a cup size or more. That still doesn't mean that anything is wrong with your breasts — it's not unhealthy, it's just one of those things. Are your breasts still developing? If so, they could kind of even themselves out a bit. If you're fully developed, though, then they are likely remain as they are now — different sizes. It's quite possible though that what seems like a huge difference to you is not noticeable to anyone else, and you may be worrying more than necessary about this. Most of us have some difference between our two breasts — no one's body is perfect, no one's body is symmetrical (most people's legs are slightly different lengths, too), and no one's body is the same as anyone else's. Next time you see your doctor, let her know you wondering about this, and see what she says. In more extreme situations, there is surgery to correct the difference.

You should see a gynecologist as soon as you start thinking about becoming sexually active (so you can talk about stuff like safe sex, birth control and preventing STDs) or when you turn 18, whichever happens first. Gynecologists can answer all your questions, talk to you about any concerns you may have and make sure that you're staying totally healthy. For those of you (like the three readers above) with questions or problems, your best bet is to let go of your embarrassment, and visit a doctor or health clinic. If you don't already have a gyno, you can always ask your regular doctor these types of questions. He or she might answer them directly or refer you to someone else. A lot of girls are more comfortable with a female doctor, both for regular check-ups as well as gynecological exams. If you'd prefer to see a woman practitioner, let your parents know you'd like to switch to one and they can help you do that. If you don't want to approach your parents, your community may have a health clinic that provides low-cost services. Visiting the doctor is pretty straightforward. If you let her know that this is your first gynecological exam, she and the nurse practitioner will make sure you feel comfortable. Because they see girls and women all day, every day, they won't be shocked by any question you might throw at them. Also, due to doctor-patient privilege, they have to keep your conversations confidential, so you can feel free to discuss stuff like birth control or STDs without worrying that they'll talk to your parents. To begin, the doctor will ask questions about your period, your sexual history and then do a pelvic and breast exam (neither of which hurt!). When you have questions about your body, it's really important that you see a doctor, because diagnosis is almost impossible otherwise. That itchy feeling down below could be a yeast infection, an STD or could be from wearing tight jeans on a 90-degree day. Irregular periods could be a typical symptom of adolescence, or could be caused by a poor diet or something more serious. Only a doctor can help you figure that out. She can also check for STDs — some of which don't have any symptoms — and catch them early enough so they're easier to treat. The best part is that once your doctor's appointment is over, you will have peace of mind. Your questions will have been answered, and you'll be able to do what is best to keep your body healthy and strong. It's a good feeling!

First of all, the most important thing to keep in mind is that it's easy to feel self-conscious and think that you're sweatier than say, all of your friends. But that's probably not the case, since all people sweat (more so if they are feeling really warm, or it's during the summer, or they're in a stressful situation, or they've been working out really hard, or one of a million other reasons). The overwhelming majority of people out there can keep odor and wetness under reasonable control by taking daily showers and washing with soap and warm water, and then applying an anti-perspirant/deodorant (the anti-perspirant cuts down on wetness, the deodorant does the same for odors). This doesn't mean you'll suddenly be dry as a bone! After all, sweating is a natural, normal, fact of life. But, what if you're really concerned and think you're not in the normal sweat range? Then it's time to talk to a dermatologist and have them check you out for a condition called Hyperhidrosis, which basically means "excessive perspiration." It's easy to think we're not, since it's not like supermodels are shot looking clammy or you see actresses on the red carpet blotting their underarms or wiping their hands on their dresses, but trust us, they all sweat, too!

Your family has suffered a great loss, and you are all still in the process of adjusting to the death of your father in different ways. Your brother is reacting to his grief by cutting himself off from the people he loves — instead, he is turning to drugs and is working on wrecking his relationships with you and your mom. Even though it may seem like it, he's not doing this out of hatred towards you or your mom. When he insults you he is really showing his anger at himself and at your father for dying. That may not make sense to you, but frequently people become angry with the deceased person for dying and leaving everyone else behind. They can also feel an overwhelming guilt, which sometimes leads to anger, thinking that the person's death was somehow their fault. The good news is that you did have a good relationship with your brother before, and it is not completely lost. But in order for all three of you to work though this rough time, you might want to talk to your mom about all of you seeing a therapist together. Getting your brother to join you will be difficult. Try talking to him when you know he is more likely to pay attention, and explain to him that you miss him and are worried about him. Ask him if he misses spending time with you and if he really believes the things he says when he insults you. Don't give up if the first time you approach him he reacts the way he has been, by being rude and distant. Give him some space to think about the idea of going to counseling. Maybe he would be willing to go if it was just the two of you, or if he went alone, or maybe he would even like the opportunity to talk to your mother without you around. Another thing to keep in mind is that siblings do separate a little as they get older. Your brother may be getting to the point in his life where spending time with his friends is the most important thing to him. This doesn't mean he should be allowed to insult you or to wreck his own life, but that might be another factor of his apparent withdrawal from you and your mom.

Well it's normal to be curious, but if you really do love your girlfriend, stay with her. Take some time to figure out your feelings, and then figure out what to do. I can't tell you what to do because this is a conflict inside you. Take time to figure it out.

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