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Q: how do i break up with someone in a nice way? when im scared to say it to their face?
The only way to break up with someone without hurting them TOO much, is to be honest and tell them face-to-face. You cannot break up in an impersonal way (email, note, text, etc.) since it is such a personal issue. It is never an easy thing to do, but sometimes life is tough.

My advice is to be honest about why you're breaking up with him/her, without making it seem like the whole thing is his/her fault. Say something along the lines of " I don't want to be in a relationship right now because __________ (fill in the blank)." And honestly, why is it that you want to break up with this person? Is there no spark, are things just not going right between you guys? Whatever it is, say it, but in a nice way. And make sure to say that it is not fair to him/her if you were to continue a one-sided relationship or something like that. Saying something like, "it wouldn't be fair to you," will show that you aren't just looking out for yourself, but for your boy/girlfriend's well-being as well. Whatever you say, do NOT bring up any of his/her faults, or list things they have done to bother or hurt you. Be fair, but also be firm. Good luck!

Q: okay so i have gone to the gynecologist an been checked but a few weeks after that i broke out with sores on my vagina and it burnt to pee and have sex i didn't think anything of it it went away and now we are learning about STDS and i was wondering igf it was too late to be checked i wasn't checked before because ei didn't want to tell my parents and i didn't have insurance at the time should i be checked again i havent been checked after i got the sores but i did get an hiv test recently and still waiting for results?
however i have not broken out again in months..
If you do have an STD, your gynecologist might not have been able to detect it, since there is a window period for an infection to be present in tests (of bodily fluid, like discharge, urine..). You are best off going back and getting tested again for the most common STDs. Since you do not have insurance and don't want your parents knowing about it, I would recommend you go to a Planned Parenthood clinic- they are everywhere, even suburbs and small towns. Go to the website and check for locations. They offer free testing and other services, as well as free condoms.

Q: I was supposed to get a root canal in about 3 days and i already waited about a month and 1/2 and the days after the root canal i have alot of important things to do (in person) like dinner and stuff and i was wondering if it would bother anything or make anything worse/ unrepairable if i waited another month?
I agree with the previous answer- it's always better to get dental work done as soon as possible, especially an important procedure like a root canal. You really should make an appointment soon, as waiting can only make it worse.

Depending on the severity of the infection (if there is one at all), waiting too long can worsen your condition, and will increase the pain. It might also cause the tooth to be unreparable, which would mean you'd have to get it extracted.

A few years ago I had a fractured tooth- it probably started off small, and because I waited instead of getting it taken care of right away, I had to get a crown placed on the tooth. Had I gone in ahead of time, I might not have even had to get a crown, and a simple filling or sealant would have been enough. Moral of the story? Waiting to get dental treatment done is never a good idea. Better early (or on time) than too late.

Q: I want my nails to grow, really fast.
I took a fake toenail off my toe lastnight, and today, my nail was so thin, it tore on off, its in the quick and its really sore!
How can I make my nail grow fast!
Thanks in advance!
You can find some nail growth treatments at the drugstore. I highly recommend Nailtique- it comes separately in three different formulas depending on what your nails need. Nailtique also comes in a kit, with the three formulas. Once you have used the nail growth/strengthening formula, you can move onto the basic formula to keep your nails healthy.

Sally Hansen products also work well. There is a nail growth formula that you can try.. it should be cheaper than Nailtique, but Nailtique is probably the best drugstore product for nails.

Q: i am 13 and i haven't gotten my period yet but i get major cramps in my stomach down near my bladder.
when i get the cramps i get discharge. does this mean i will get my period?
Just like the columnist before said, your period is probably on its way. You should start using pantiliners every day- that way, it will absorb discharge, and if you happen to get your period, will prevent leakage.

Q: 1 where is the original book "the diary of anne frank"?

2 if anne franks father published it does that mean that he didnt die before her? where was he?

3 how come her nationality was german but she was jewish, sorry im new to this i dont get stuff..
I THOUGHT GERMANS HATED JEWS. SORRY if i offend anyone im just interested in learning these stuff

thanks.
1) The actual diary is on display at the Anne Frank House (the building and attic where they hid) in Amsterdam. As for the original book, I have no idea.

2) Anne's father, Otto, was the only one who survived the concentration camps (he was in Auschwitz, Poland). When he returned back to Amsterdam, one of the workers who helped them in hiding presented him with Anne's diary, which was one of the things she had left behind. He later decided to publish an edited version of the diary- now a full version is available.

3)The others have pretty much answered this, but to add, since Jews were considered second class citizens (or indeed worse) during the Nazi regime, they did not have the same rights as other Germans (except for gypsies, poles, the disabled, etc., who were also denied rights). Because of this, they were denied formal citizenship but that did not mean that their ethnicity was not German (or Polish, French, etc.,). The Nazi regime actually spread throughout much of western Europe, so Europe's Jews were denied basic rights and citizenship. Still, Jews considered themselves German, French, Polish, etc., but because they were placed at the bottom of society, were stripped of formal citizenship.

Since Anne Frank spent much of her life in Amsterdam, she had an affinity for Holland and for Dutch people. Understandably, she had little connection to Germany, and although she knew she was born into a German family, she really considered herself to also be Dutch.

So although ethnically German Jews were German, they were not considered German nationals under Nazi law.

Q: im 18 years old. a girl. and ive had sex with 16 guys. I don't know why I let myself get that bad. It's wayy too many guys and only a few of them have been my boyfreinds...others are just hook ups.
I always tell my self to not let things like that happen, but I just can't help it, I dont know what to do. I like the feeling of being with a guy because it makes me feel wanted and accepted...but it needs to stop. I just don't know how.
How many is too many? There is no answer to that question. You slept with lots of guys- but that really isn't the issue. What matters is the reason you are going after the sex in the first place.

You have sex because it makes you feel "wanted and accepted." People do different things to please people: have sex, flatter people, shower people with gifts, etc., etc. People sometimes do these things to feel wanted. These are very unhealthy and destructive habits. You see sex as a way of feeling close to someone. Sex with people you hardly know gives you a false sense of security and belonging.

You have to look at the root of the problem, and work on that. My feeling is that you feel insecure and need attention because you might feel lonely or lack emotional attachment. Insecurity manifests itself in different ways. It might lead someone to care too much about what others think, or to always try pleasing people (for the same reason). For you, sex is a way of trying to please other guys and to get them to want you, because you might care too much about what they want and not what YOU need. Sex for you is also a way of feeling loved. You are not going to get love from people you hardly know.

You need to focus primarily on yourself. Sleeping around will not make you feel wanted or accepted. If sex actually met that aim, you would not be sleeping around. It only takes one guy to make you feel wanted. Just like expensive things will not ultimately make you happy, sleeping around will not ultimately give you love. Focus on doing meaningful things (anything really) that truly makes you happy. Make a rule of thumb for yourself when it comes to sex...for example, no sex for at least __ month(s). Or make it clear that you will not have sex with anyone new until you feel totally comfortable with them, and stick to that goal.

Build up your confidence, and you will see that you don't need to have sex all the time to be happy.

Q: I'll be 16 in a month and I haven't hit puberty yet. Never had a period, flat chest, no crazy sexual day dreams, and I only get the occassional random makeout dream.
So, what gives? When is it my turn to become a woman? =P Not that I mind not having a period, but come on, I want some kind of curvage.
OH andddd, I have one more thing to ask, can you get pregnant if you've never had a period? (No I'm not considering sex, I was just wondering) and, can sex cause you to start having a period? (a friend said it could LOL and I don't think it can)
I agree that you should talk to a gynecologist about not having gotten your period yet. Generally if a girl hasn't gotten it by the age of 15, she should talk to a doctor. It doesn't mean that it's something serious, but only a doctor can tell you what the reason is, so definitely talk to your doctor or a gynecologist.

And bra size has nothing to do with being a late bloomer or not- women have different size breasts, all are normal. Your breasts might grow over the years, size may fluctuate (due to gaining/losing weight, pregnancy, etc.). So don't worry about having small breasts, and don't let beauty standards get to you. You are who you are.
The same thing applies to your body shape. Some women are more curvy than others- all women are unique. Embrace your body and feel confident in who you are. You are still growing, so you will get more curvy in time-or you might not..it all depends on your figure.

And to address the last question, nothing can cause you to have your period, so you're friend was wrong about that. Oh, and conventional thought is that you cannot get pregnant if you have not gotten your period, but I cannot tell you for sure. You should ask a doctor about it if you're still curious. Whether you can or cannot get pregnant, you should always be safe and protect yourself.

Q: 16/m
Two questions
1.) Do girls like it when a guy shaves their stuff?

2.) What's the best way to shave down there?

Thanks in advance.
1) It depends entirely on the person. Some girls like it, some don't care, some don't like it...I personally don't like it, and only prefer it to be hygienice/trimmed.

2) If you are going to shave, make sure you have been in the shower for at least a few minutes to let the hair soften. Use a good razer- nothing worn out or rusty, and shaving cream (or even conditioner). Make sure to shave in the opposite direction of hair growth (upwards).

Q: okay so im 17/f and sometimes i just get reallllly horny and obvouisly masterbate. this i kind of a weird subject but anyways one night i got super horny and instead of just rubbing my clit or using my fingers i used a brush to stick up me. after i did it i started thinking that maybe that was a bad idea?! if it was dirty or somehing could i get infected or something??! sorry if this was gross
There is nothing wrong with that- if it was just once, there is very little chance of getting an infection. Next time, make sure to wash it (or anything else you might use) with soap and hot water, before and after you masturbate. Also, like other said, make sure whatever you use is smooth and has no chance of causing injury.

Q: So my boss and I have an oddly close relationship. He's 30 and I just turned 18.
so it's legal, and that isn't the issue.

We always tell each other about our boyfriends/girlfriends, and everything. We even tell each other the details of our sex life. He's in an extremely bad relationship and I'm single. He told me he was going to quit soon.

And I was just wondering how to take this to the next level? I mean without being extremely obvious, in case I am completely misreading the signs.
You're 18, he's 30- end of story. It doesn't matter how you feel about him. He is in a completely different stage of his life and for him to be going after an 18 year old is just wrong. The fact that you're legal is irrelevant. The fact is that you are too young for him. Sorry to say, but your head is in the clouds. For a 30 year old to discuss his sex life with you...do you not see something perverse in that? There should be no next level. If he is interested in you, he is only looking for one thing. He's in a bad relationship, he sees a young girl...and...he should just leave it at that. Do not take this any further.

When I was 21, I met a 32 year old. He had just ended a relationship. I told him it was nice meeting him, but that I did not want to get involved or get in the middle of things. And that was that. I even told my brother about him. He (and this is a guy's perspective, which can be VERY useful) said something along the lines of..if a guy 30 or above is interested in a girl much younger than himself, he's just looking for a young piece of ass. Even if you're mature for your age, there is only so much you have experienced in your life. There is no reason for you to date anyone that much older than you. He cannot take you too seriously- you are only 18. He is only going to look at you as a young girl he can have fun with- and that is only if he is even interested in you on a romantic and physical level. Leave it at a just friends/coworker relationship. Trust me, you will regret it if you try and take things further.

Q:
I have an oval shape face. My hair is thick and damaged so I'm sure inches will be coming off.

http://i42.tinypic.com/dy9kbm.jpg
http://i41.tinypic.com/332seb7.jpg

Any suggestions for a cut?
Your face shape and size would probably be best suited for medium length (chin or shoulder length) cuts. I agree that side-swept bangs look good... I do not recommend having short, one level bangs, as your face is already small. If you had larger features, it would be okay, but I think side-swept bangs would be more flattering.
I recommend getting a layered, medium length cut-- it would help frame your face, and would be a nice change. It will also still look good even when the layers grow out, since it's multi-length.

Q: 17/f

I want to have attractive friends. Not all of them but.. I just do. What's with me? I want to have good looking friends that I can go out and have fun with. Friends that I can attract guys with, go shopping with, and take photos with. I don't know if I need some sense talked into me or if this is fine. I'm self confident and not afraid to be seen with the friends I have now but I'd just like a change. Please help. :)
In a sense, you already understand that how you feel about this is shallow. We've all heard this a thousand times before, but really, it's what's on the inside that counts. Trust me, if you go out with any group of friends, whether they're "attractive" or not, you're probably going to attract guys one way or another. And your view or anyone else's view of what is considered attractive is entirely subjective; one man's beauty queen is another man's beast, and vice-versa.

I honestly feel that the best thing to do is to try getting these thoughts out of your mind and stick to those you admire and value the most. I do understand how you feel- lots of us want to be the one who attracts the men/guys. But to actively seek out attractive friends is not the best way to go about things.

Q: Uhmm how do I control how I smell and taste in my vagina. My girlfriend and I are going to take it to the next level and I want to smell and taste good. Also how do I avoid razorburn down there?
To add to the answer below, always keep yourself groomed down there (periodically trim/shave). To try preventing razor burn, frequently dispose your old razors, as dull blades can cause you to shave harder than you should, leading to irritation. Also, don't store your razor in the shower, as the moisture can cause the blade to rust. If you must, dry it off after shaving. Also, before shaving, wait at least a couple of minutes under warm water to allow the hair to soften...that helps prevent irritation.

Q: When me and my boyfriend are sitting down, we hold hands. Well i love holding hands with him, its just something he does that weirds me out! he like holds my hand and he puts our hands on his knee and slowly moves our hands towards his crotch! i dont know if he is purposley doing it or not! does anyone know what i am talking about??? or what his intentions are?? oh gosh.

Thank you verrryy much!! :D

p.s. any answers will help
Sometimes guys do that to see how far you're allowing him to go. If you don't signal to him in some way that you're uncomfortable with him doing that, even in a subtle way like putting your hands somewhere else (like on his knee), he might think it's okay with you. He might possibly take that as a sign that you're comfortable with other things too. If he tries anything else, or brings anything up, you can always tell him if you aren't ready to take things further. Always stand up for yourself and only do things you feel comfortable doing.

Q: my name is Rachel and iam 19 years old and I weigh 168 pounds and iam only 5 foot 2 inches tall. I know i need to lose weight becouse iam overweight for my heighth but i just can't stop eating. Whenever I see food I eat just becouse it's there. I've gained 15 pounds since may and it's only november that's only 7 month's and I get really ashamed when people say I eat to much so sometime's i even go to my bedroom to eat when nobody's looking so they don't know that iam eating? It's like I don't have any control of when I eat please help!
To add to the answer below, you might be seeing food as a source of pleasure or relief; eating is a sort of addiction for you. Most people love food to an extent. Eating is a "feel good" activity for most of us. But as with any activity, it is very important to know when to stop. Some people are addicted to other things like smoking, sex, shopping, etc., for the same reasons: it feels good and it's an addiction. Most things are okay in moderation, but going overboard on anything- whether it's good or bad- is a problem. In your case, it's not only an emotional issue, it's a health issue as well. Being overweight, as another columnist mentioned, is very bad for your health. It can lead to other health problems down the line, and at your age, it is definitely not a good path to be taking.

For starters, if you have a trusted adult you can talk to- a parent, for example- let them know that you need to do something about binge eating and being overweight. Talk to a psychologist and even a nutritionist.. they can help you set goals for yourself regarding eating right and starting to get enough exercise. They can help you see why eating has been a sort of emotional release for you, and what you can do do harbor positive habits instead. If you are a student, all colleges have student health centers that have psychologists and nutritionists on the staff...you should consult with them to see what you can do. They might also be able to refer you to some other professional, if needed, or even some sort of support group for individuals going through similar things. Whatever you do, do not go on a sudden, restrictive diet (aka, don't try starving yourself or denying yourself food altogether)- it's like stopping something cold turkey, which can lead to symptoms of withdrawal. Talk to your doctor or a psychologist about the best ways to try gradually eating healthier. By all means, do something to address the deeper issues. There are plenty of people and resources out there to help you.

Here is a very useful website with information and links on binge eating, including treatment options:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/binge-eating-disorder/DS00608

Please let me know if you have any other questions, or need more advice. All the best :)

Q: what is the most meaningful thing anyone has ever said to you when you were at such a low point in you're life? i would really love to know what people say to others, something that they will keep with them forever. any advice that helped you get through some rough times, because right now i'm going through really hard times.
Some of the most meaningful things I try to remind myself of when I'm down:

"Be strong." (my dad always tells me that).

" If things don't go right, try harder."

" Brick walls are there for a reason- they give us a chance to show how badly we want something." -Randy Pausch (very inspirational).

"There's always a light at the end of the tunnel"
(well-known, and so true).

" It won't last forever."

And probably one of the best things I've been told, and I try to remind myself of:

When I'm really worried about something, my dad always asks me, " In your whole life, when you've been so worried, did anything bad happen?" It's a good reminder that things tend to work themselves out. So try to remember that things won't be bad forever- you have to stand strong and give a good fight. Otherwise you're letting your sorrow engulf you.

Q: My name is Josh, I'm 21, and i need some advice.
I've been crushing on this girl at work for a while now, and recently we've been hanging outside of work a little. this past weekend she was saposed to come see my band play at a party but she never showed up, the next morning she came in with gatorade donuts and asprin for me and appoligized for missing the show. i dont know if she was trying to make up for missing the show or didn't want me to be mad at her or what. everyone at work thinks she likes me even our boss said "I've been watching her flirt with you for months now". i guess i just want to make sure before i make a move.

thanks
She was probably trying to be nice and wanted to make up for not showing up to the party, or she maybe didn't want for you to be disappointed (or both). Whatever her reasons, it was nice of her to show up the next morning with those things. Of course I don't know what's going on in her mind, but usually if someone goes out of their way like that, it's a sign they like you. She could just be really nice though. But from what it seems, she probably does like you.

All your coworkers and your boss have no stake in what happens, so they pretty much see what they see. I would trust their judgment and give it a go. You could ask if maybe she'd like to go out somewhere after work or during the weekend, or if there's another party or venue your band will be playing at, you could invite her again. See what happens.

Q: Okay, so I've got to send a small package to someone from Canada and I'm from California. Will it be expensive for me? For them?
It depends on how much the package weighs and what postage method you choose (express, priority, etc.). You should expect to pay between $10-30, but it all depends.
Here's a link from USPS that has a postage calculator based on destination, package type, and weight:

http://postcalc.usps.gov/

Q: 15/f
throughout the day i discharge a relatively large amount, but i'm not really sure if it's a lot cause i don't know about other girls.

but what does discharge really do, and is too much bad?
It's normal to have discharge throughout the day- all girls/women get it in varying amounts throughout the month. Discharge is generally heavier around the time of your period, and is usually clear or slightly milky, and depending on the time of month, can be watery or even mucous-like. Normal discharge dries to a clear or pale yellow, and slight variation of consistancy is normal. The only thing to be worried about is if your discharge becomes yellowish, which can indicate a vaginal infection, or is white and clumpy with a bad odor- which is a common symptom of a yeast infection. If you notice anything completely differnet that is accompanied by redness and itching/burning, you should see a gynecologist. Otherwise, you're fine, as long as you keep good hygiene and make sure to wear cotton, breathable underwear.

Discharge is actually a result of the normal self-cleansing of the vagina. There really is no such thing as too much, as all women vary in the amount of discharge they produce, depending on stage of ovlulation, age, lifestyle, etc. Again, you're going to notice much more discharge before and after your period. At that time, it's also normal to notice a slightly brownish or pinkish tone- it's blood, either new (before period) or old. The vagina is self-cleansing, and small amounts of discharge are there for a few reasons- to prevent dryness, to protect the vagina, make sex easier (which is why women 'get wet' when sexually aroused).

I recommend using pantiliners throughout the day to keep you feeling clean and to protect your underwear. Use only a non-scented one, as scented pantiliners can be irritating. I use Carefree Bodyshape throughout the day- the regular size are wrapped and can be carried anywhere. It's normal to go through 2-3 of them in a day, depending.

Here is a useful website with information on vaginal discharge:

http://www.pamf.org/teen/health/femalehealth/discharge.html

bio
ciao77
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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