"People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone." - Audrey Hepburn
I came to this site for advice about a man and love. That very question turned my entire world around and I have had my eyes opened to things I never noticed before.
I've stayed here so that I can share the knowledge I do have. I know I'm not changing the world but I do hope that I spark others to open their eyes.
"The only thing to do with good advice is pass it on. It is never any use to oneself." - Oscar Wilde
So, if you learn something from what I say then repeat it to someone else who can use it.
I hope that if you see an answer of mine that you enjoy it will inspire you to go out of your way to give good, solid information. Provide links for further information, detail your responses, encourage people to seek out professionals when it's needed, and stop sugar-coating responses and just say the truth.
I hope that even if you absolutely hate my answer that it'll kick start your brain. Hopefully you'll begin taking your time to respond instead of hurried answers that are useless to an already confused person.
"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: it goes on." - Robert Frost
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Member Since: October 12, 2007
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how do you now if a girl likes you (link)
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There are many ways girls show guys that they're interested. I've looked around online for a decent list of signs and this is what I've found:
"1. See if the girl acts nice to you and your friends, and if she laughs at your jokes often.
2. See if the girl squints at you when talking to you.
3. Watch if the girl stops conversations when you become in earshot. Also if she giggles a lot when you are around, she could like you.
4. Understand that some girls tease the guys they like; if she always has a snappy comeback for you and nobody else, or very few others, then she could like you.
5. If the girl passes notes or gives slips of paper to you, then she probably likes you.
6. If she starts to act differently or you
catch her staring at you, she probably likes you.
7. If she lets you touch her, or tries to partner with you, it is a sure sign she is interested.
8. Consider if she seems to go out of her way to be around you.
9. Look her in the eyes, and see if she looks back at you.
10. Notice if, while talking to you, she seems forgetful or nervous.
11. See if she touches herself while looking at you. If she seems really turned on by something and you're the only one around, she probably likes something about you.
12. Some shyer girls might be too embarrassed to flirt with you. If this is the case, approach her yourself and try to build up her self-confidence with compliments. Don't get offended if she doesn't respond right away, she may be unsure of what to say.
13. If you catch the girl staring at you continuously, or glancing quickly up at you and looking away, she probably likes you but is too shy to speak her mind.
14. If she sees you staring at her and she turns around then she is probably shy and or likes you.
15. If she starts spending a lot more time with you, or talking on the phone with you-she's probably interested."
...these were taken from:
http://www.wikihow.com/Tell-When-a-Girl-is-Interested-in-You
...you probably want to check that out because it also tells you how to react and includes tips on communicating with the girl. :)
Now, I know those aren't all of the signs but, as you have gathered, body language tells a whole lot. I'd like to add that sitting position alone can tell a lot about a person's feels toward you.
Look to see if she sits with her body more toward you than away (legs being pointed in your direction). She may also cross her legs beside you and if this happens look to see if the inner thigh of the top leg is pointed in your direction.
Anyway, I wish you luck on figuring out if a certain special girl is interested in you back.
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Im going to post this again cause I havent gotten much replys on the other and I really need help.
So i'll fill you in on what has happend..
I dont know if this has to do with my problem but about two weeks ago i had sex and the condom broke. so i got my period but it only lasted three days and wasnt heavy as usualy. I usualy last for 5-7 and bleed heavily which is my NORMAL period. well I took pregnancy tests about a week after and it came out negative. I dont think im pregnant tho.
but before my period and still now I have had SEVERE stomach pains. I have gone to the hospital twice and to the doctors once. the doctors did a cat scan and there was nothing wrong. They also did urine tests and still nothing wrong. when they feel around inside my stomach it doesnt hurt but when they push on it it does.. it also doesnt hurt me to pee so it cant be something with my urine. PLEASE HELP
WHAT COULD BE WRONG WITH ME? (link)
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Alright, it's doubtful that a doctor on this site is going to be able to diagnose you so you will need to continue seeing doctors.
My first thought when I read your post was it's an STD.
Why did I think this? Because if the doctor can't find anything wrong and you didn't tell him/her you're having sex he/she may not have screened for STDs. Many, many STDs have odd symptoms, no symptoms, symptoms in the beginning, only when it's severe, very little symptoms, a whole bunch of POSSIBLE symptoms, etc.
Hepatitis B is known to cause bad abdominal issues. It also is known to be hidden in some (including some parties only showing one or two symptoms). Hepatitis B is very serious business.
Chlamydia usually doesn't show symptoms but long-term contraction can cause lower abdominal pain.
Pelvic inflammatory disease (usually has came from chlamydia and/or gonorrhea) can also cause abdominal pain. The signs and symptoms are so vague doctors tend to look past it. Women who do have symptoms of PID most commonly have lower abdominal pain though (and it can result in a lifetime of chronic pelvic pain). It's a serious condition that can render you infertile for the rest of your days.
There's also the thought of a stomach ulcer, I suppose. The major symptom of an ulcer is a burning/gnawing feeling in the stomach area that lasts between 30 minutes and 3 hours though. The pain is usually mistake for heartburn (and I am assuming that was not a thought of yours). The pain usually occurs in the upper abdomen, but sometimes below the breastbone. Some people have pain right after eating and some have pain hours after eating. The pain can frequently wake up the person at night. You can have weeks of pain and then no pain for awhile.
Endometriosis can be serious business too. Usually it includes chronic pelvic pain (can possibly cause infertility, painful sex, painful bowel movements, etc.). This is when the tissues that line the uterus actually begin to grow outside of the uterus and when the body tries to expel them, it causes problems.
Ovarian cysts can cause abdominal pain as well, especially if they are larger. Having a cyst (or more than one) can be a sign of PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrom (PCOS). Though, if your periods are completely normal it doesn't sound like this is the problem.
Now, is it your actual stomach or is it below the stomach--as in, the area of the uterus/ovaries/intestines?
If it's in lower area it could be a lot of things, some that I've listed shortly above. There's such a number of things that could be wrong, there's no way we can diagnose. :(
"Abdominal pain is caused by inflammation (e.g., appendicitis, diverticulitis, colitis ), by stretching or distention of an organ (e.g., obstruction of the intestine, blockage of a bile duct by gallstones, swelling of the liver with hepatitis), or by loss of the supply of blood to an organ (e.g., ischemic colitis). To complicate matters, however, abdominal pain also can occur without inflammation, distention or loss of blood supply. An important example of this latter type of pain is the irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). It is not clear what causes the abdominal pain in IBS, but it is believed to be due either to abnormal contractions of the intestinal muscles (e.g., spasm) or abnormally sensitive nerves within the intestines that give rise to painful sensations inappropriately (visceral hyper-sensitivity)."
...which was taken from http://www.medicinenet.com/abdominal_pain/article.htm
Please continue to see your doctor and be open and honest with him/her. Tell him/her that you were sexually active. Heck, request to be STD tested just to be on the safe side! Even if you used a condom every single time, they do not protect 100% against STD/STI infection.
Make sure to let your doctor exactly know where the pain is, how long it lasts, what relieves it, what makes it worse, and anything else that is not normal for you (such as diarrhea). It is very, very important to be honest with your doctor and to give him/her as much information as possible.
I hope you figure out what's going on with your body soon so you can be out of pain.
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I'm looking into getting my nose pierced. I would like to get feedback from people who have their nose pierced or have done so in the past.
1) How can I tell if the place that is doing the piercing is safe and using acceptable tools?
2) On average, how much does it cost?
3) I know there may be swelling and stuff, but how do I know if there was an allergic reaction or something dangerous like that? How do I know if it's gone wrong to the point of removing the piercing and seeking medical attention?
4) How was the pain scale?
5) How do you know to pierce the right or left side? I'm leaning towards my left side, but I wanted to know what you thought.
6) Does thickness of the nose matter?
7) And if you could just explain what they did step-by-step for your piercing I would appreciate it.
Thanks so much! (link)
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1. First, you want to make certain they have an autoclave. It is important that they have/use the autoclave to properly sterilize your jewelry. You may ask to see it after you enter, they should be use to people asking. Do no give them money or make any decisions about choosing the shop until you've made sure they have this.
Secondly, you want them to have separate areas for piercings and tattoos. They should never be piercing you right beside someone getting a tattoo. There needs to be separate areas for these things.
Thirdly, tattoo artists and piercers should all be wearing gloves during all procedures. This is extremely important! You should also be able to watch them remove needles from the actual packaging before any procedure. All needles should be brand new. It is not unacceptable to tell them you would like to watch them get the materials ready--it's actually recommended you do this just to make sure they are not reusing instruments on you.
Lastly, if the place doesn't look like it has good lighting and has been taken care of, then leave. The floors need to be cleaned, the air should be clean and not smokey, and the employees should appear tidy. Think of it as a doctors office. Things need to be clean and sterile to prevent infection.
2. My piercing cost $30, which included the stud. From what I've gathered, that is a fairly good price.
3. Give it a good week or two before you assume it has swollen too much and is infected. If a bump appears by the jewelry, you need to see your piercer again. The first week or two expect it to be swollen, tender, and a little red. If it swells so much that you cannot see the jewelry then you need to see your piercer.
NEVER remove the jewelry before seeing a professional. If it does become infected and you remove it before seeing a doctor it may need to be lanced. It will only add to the pocket of infection since it will no longer have any place to seep from. Let the doctor or piercer decide if you need to remove it before it's properly healed.
You can take OTC pain medication if the piercing is sore for the first few days. Other than that, if things FEEL wrong then see your piercer and talk to him/her to see if it's normal. Remember, they do this all of the time and know what is normal and what isn't.
4. Of all of my 14 piercings, I'd have to say my nose was one of the most painful piercings. It bled badly when they pierced it, my eyes watered, and it was quite the sting. It didn't hurt afterward, but it did feel a little odd. Some people say it doesn't hurt, others feel a lot of pain with it. It really is different from person to person.
5. It doesn't matter which side you get pierced on. One side or the other does not signify anything. If you feel your nose looks different on each side, ask your piercer which side he/she thinks the jewelry will sit best on.
6. My nose was actually slightly thicker than other noses so the piercer had to get a piece of jewelry that was thicker than others. Remember, your jewelry needs to be loose to allow for swelling. If it's too tight when the piercer places it in, ask them if they have a longer bar to put in. A sign if they are a good piercer is that they will double check it after they've pierced you to make sure it'll have room for swelling.
7. The piercer cleaned the inside and outside of my nose with solution. He marked a good spot on my nose and asked me to see if I liked it in the mirror. He had his gloves on, so he removed the needle from the packaging and got it set up with the jewelry. Before he started, he made sure to remind me to continue breathing (if some people stop breathing they pass out). He pushed the needle in and inserted the jewelry. My nose gushed blood and I nearly passed out so he had me sit and for a few minutes before standing. After cleaning off the blood, he checked the jewelry to make sure it had enough room for swelling.
I then was given instructions on how to properly cleanse it. They told me to purchase Wound Wash Saline from Wal-Mart and to clean off the jewelry twice a day. They told me to never touch it with unwashed hands, try to leave it alone, and to come back if anything seemed off.
I wish you luck on finding a good piercer and having everything go well.
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I do not know what to do anymore, dropping hints, etc... how do you tell a couple of your family members that tney have very bad BO and that they need to shower daily, every time they visit our furniture needs to be disenfected and deoderized, then to top it all off they always seem to stay a day or 2 longer then they say. (link)
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I've been in this situation a couple of times and I've tried a few different ways without coming out and completely saying it.
1. Make it clear that you smell something. You don't have to say it's a person, but let it be known that you have found an odor and it's bothersome. Open windows if you need to "air the place out" for awhile. If you feel it would be helpful, ask them if they think YOU smell odd (this will tell them you smell body odor).
You can also follow this up by pointing out you still smell the odor in the car when they are present. Roll down the windows if at all possible.
2. As suggested below, remark about a product that you feel does smell good. By remark I mean, make an entire conversation out of it. Ask what the visitors use and you may add, "I've used that before and I wasn't too pleased by the scent. Why don't I send you home with some [product] for you to try out for a few days?" You'll have to really hype it up if you will be suggesting giving them some of the soap/deodorant/whatever.
3. Announce that you will be taking a shower. Ask if anyone will be needing the restroom for awhile. You can even let them know you'll take a quick shower so you can save them some hot water to use if you have noticed they haven't showered yet. When they do go shower, let them know where the new soap is in case they want their own bar. Make it sound as if you are simply being courteous.
4. Make plans for the next day and say, "Well, I guess we can get up at [time] and get our showers in early before we leave." If that isn't good, remark that, at the end of the day, you reek from sweating and such and desperately need a shower.
5. Do laundry and offer to wash up theirs while you're at it. The theory is, if you offer up enough times, they'll get the hint.
6. Simply be honest. Get them in a room alone and seriously (but kindly) let them know that this past visit you've noticed they have brought an odor with them. You can ease the blow by saying that you understand it may be embarrassing but you were afraid that their co-workers/friends/other family members noticed and would talk about them behind their backs and you don't want them doing that because they (the visitors) are good people. You ARE doing them a favor by telling them straight out.
Do not describe the smell unless they specifically ask. Save them some embarrassment and do not attempt to or it may look very bad on your part (it can come off as you looking down on them and you do NOT want to do that).
This should start some sort of conversation in which you can tell them what you think might help. Give suggestions like, "Maybe you could up your daily showers or something," or throw in the product idea. You can also give them some slack by blaming it on their soaps, "I bet it's just your laundry detergent. I've used some brands before that really left the clothes smelling funky."
It also always helps to relate. If you have ever had an odor problem that you've known of, let THEM know. Tell them it was embarrassing and you had to change some habits. Always offer them help.
Anyway, I'm voting for you to be honest with them about the odor situation. The worst that can happen is they get upset and never come back--but at least you did let them know! I hope you get it all sorted out!
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okay, my vagina ALWAYS itches and i can feel like stuff "commin out" of it. its really gross. but it feels weird like in my underwear and jeans. but like whejn i'm at school i can't do anything but i don't want to see a doctor or ask a family member or friend since its kind of embarassing...is this normal like whats happening (link)
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All women have discharge, varying in amount by where you are in your menstrual cycle. It is completely normal to be experiencing some discharge.
Different Discharges:
1. Before ovulation- There will be a small amount of (mostly) clear discharge.
2. Closer to ovulation- Discharge is wet and sticky. It is usually white/lightly cream colored. There is usually some mucus but it isn't as stretchy as it will be during ovulation.
3. At ovulation (roughly 14 days from your last period)- There will be a noticeably larger amount of discharge lasting a few days. It resembles stretchy egg whites. You are most fertile here (high risk pregnancy) and sperm entering your vagina will be able to survive slightly longer than other times.
4. After ovulation- Discharge is sticky but not as stretchy. Mostly clear, dwindling back to the "before ovulation" stage.
* Bacterial vaginosis (overgrowth of bacteria in your vagina) also means a change in your regular discharge. Many women experience an increase in discharge and a very unpleasant, fishy odor; however, some women do not experience anything odd. If left untreated, a woman can develop pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and/or become infertile.
* Yeast infections cause quite a different discharge than normal.
Vaginal yeast infections can cause itching and burning, the white discharge may look similar to cottage cheese, there could be pain during sexual intercourse, and some swelling of the vulva. The discharge smells somewhat yeasty from what I've read but not always.
I suspect this is your problem since you have itching associated with it along with, I assume, a different discharge than normal.
Yeast infections are caused by a disruption in the balance of good bacteria in the vagina. Sexual intercourse, antibiotics, using too much soap, tampon usage, and even wearing tight clothing can all cause a yeast infection to occur.
If you have never had one before and you suspect you do now, then you NEED to see your doctor for a proper diagnosis. From there, you can purchase over-the-counter medication such as Monistat from your local store. The 7-day treatment seems to be the best of the bunch from what I've read. It comes with the medication, applicator, and instructions so you can do it yourself in privacy.
Anyway, once the doctor has diagnosed you PROPERLY with this then you'll know in the future what one is like and will be able to treat yourself without needing to see your doctor (though you may want to continue seeing the doctor just to make sure). It is VERY important you see the doctor the first time things are odd though so you get acquainted with your body and can remain healthy.
I understand it may be uncomfortable to confront a parent/guardian about the issue but it is very important you see a doctor to make sure you're healthy. We aren't doctors here so we can't give a 100% proper diagnosis and some things can get really serious and cause you to have major problems in the future (including not being able to have children)!
Try being open with your guardian about this. Let them know you have been experiencing some itching and found online that it may be a sort-of infection. Anyone can get a yeast infection so it doesn't mean you're dirty, having sex, or doing anything wrong.
Until you're able see a doctor, you may want to wear a panty-liner so you don't have wet underclothing/pants. Do NOT wear a tampon as it will further disrupt the balance in your vagina, and if you don't have an infection, you can get one then. You may also want to wear some looser clothing.
Remember, vaginal infections, medications, and birth control can all alter the appearance of your discharge so if you've been on medication lately it may be the cause.
I wish you luck on finding a doctor to see about your itching and discharge.
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Why does washing your hair under cold water make it shiny? (link)
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Rinsing your hair with cold/cool water forces the cuticles to close, locking in moisture. Whenever the cuticle is closed, it lies flat, so it reflects the light and looks shiny. This also tends to make hair less frizzy and feel smoother.
Blasting with cold air after blow-drying has a similar effect, and most dryers now have a cold setting for this purpose.
Much of the shine that makes healthy hair so attractive is due to the cuticle. Healthy, intact cuticle cells are smooth, glossy, and reflect light. It's important to keep some moisture in so the hair doesn't become dry and brittle, breaking off easily.
With that being said, it's best to wash your hair with shampoo in warm (opens cuticle) water and rinse in cool (closes cuticle) water.
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I am really tired of continuously using pads and tampons while on my period. Although I'm used to it by now (I've had my period for 10 years), it's still somewhat of a hassle.
I heard about these menstrual cups called Instead that collect blood, and can be worn for up to 12 hours.
-Only answer if you have used them before-
a) are they as effective as they claim to be?
b) how long did it take to get used to putting them in, and also, taking them out (seems to be sort of strange).
c) would you prefer them to pads and tampons? (link)
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I've attempted to use these without success. To answer your questions:
A) From everything I've read, they really do seem as effective as they claim; however, I've heard tales of leakage while attempting intercourse while using the product (since they do claim you can do this without mess). Many people do like to switch to a non-disposable menstrual cup in the end since Insteads can get pricey.
B) It really was very simple to insert--even for a small vagina. The problem is that they are made to fit the MAJORITY of women, so there are a few of us that are too small down there to successfully wear them:
"...our cup is a "one size fits most." This single size was chosen after significant design research showed that it fit almost all women comfortably and securely. Sometimes due to anatomical differences a small minority of women may find the Cup doesn't fit as well as they would like it to."
http://www.softcup.com/product/frequently_asked_questions.php#a05
More about my removal experience below.
C) I was unable to use the product because of my "abnormal" vaginal sizing (more information on this below). Though it was disappointing, it did spur me to try the DivaCup, which worked very well. There are many non-disposable menstrual cups you may want to look into if the Instead product is not for you. Personally, I like the cup compared to other products.
Non-Disposable cup names (for search purposes) are:
· Divacup
· Femmecup
· Keeper
· Lady Cup
· Lunette
· Mooncup (UK)
· Moon Cup (Keeper)
They can all be worn up to 12 hours, come in different sizes, and are easily sanitized. Here is a link that includes some photos of them and the Instead cup:
http://sew-in-love.com/menstrual-cups.html
...and here is a LiveJournal community link with photos of some of those cups:
http://community.livejournal.com/menstrual_cups/473758.html
Now, my Instead product experience was very unpleasant, which seems to be a rarity. Yes, they do fit most women without any problems but for a few it's quite the hassle. I purchased this product at the local CVS here, excited to use a new product.
It was a very easy insertion; however, it refused to remain in place. Turns out, my vagina was too small for it and it did not have enough room to open up as it should so it kept sliding out.
Removal was where things went terribly wrong though.
I inserted one at night before bedtime to try it out and woke up with a very sore vagina from being stretched all night long from the product. I headed to the bathroom to remove it and before it was all over, I was on the bathroom floor crying. The pain from removing it was so unbearable, I even fainted once.
It literally felt like someone was raking their nails as hard as they could against my cervix.
Now, don't let my experience stop you. I just felt it was helpful to add in my experience so that other women will know they are not alone. I've only ran into two other women online that were too small vaginally to use the Instead menstrual cups so it really doesn't seem so common.
I hope you have a good experience with the Insteads.
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I have a double chin. But I'm not at all fat. How do you get rid of this? (link)
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I've heard that there are sort-of chin exercising balls that can be purchased that help you to exercise the area.
Here is the facial exerciser I was talking about:
http://www.faceexerciseball.com/
I also searched for how to rid yourself of a double chin and I found some really interesting exercises you can do:
" * Press your palm to your forehead for 10 seconds while resisting with your head and neck. You should feel your neck and chin tighten. Repeat the movement with your hand on the back of your head, then on each side, with your hand cupped over your ear.
* Lift your chin up and open and close your mouth as if you're chewing. Feel the muscles under your jaw and down the front of your neck tighten.
* Sit up straight in an armless chair, holding the bottom of the chair with your hands at your sides, tilt your head back and alternately close your mouth pushing your chin forward and them open your mouth as wide as you can.
* Lift chin slightly upward. With flat point of index and middle fingers press against indentation (hollow) formed by the two upper nodules of the larynx located at the curve from chin to neck. Do not be concerned in the beginning as to the precise location of pressure which you will discover through practice. Regard finger pressure as the resistance against the working muscles. Now press your back teeth firmly together and while maintaining this position, press the tip of your tongue against the inside of lower front teeth (gum line) increasing pressure with the tip of tongue in 10 or more gradual and definite steps (Count to 10). Hold end position of pressure for 6 seconds (count slowly to six). Release muscle work for 10 gradual steps (count to 10). Remove finger resistance. Repeat 4 more times.
* Slap under the chin with the back of your hand. When slapping, start gently and build up speed gradually. Do this for a couple of minutes each time, two or three times a day.
* Exercise the muscle called the platysma whose function is to pull down the corners of the mouth and pull down the jawbone. Open your mouth wide, and then pull up your bottom lip over your bottom teeth. Move your jaw up and down as if you're trying to scoop something up with it - imagine the movement of the shovel on a digger scooping up earth or debris on a building site. Perform ten repetitions of this exercise each time, and again do this two or three times a day.
* Say "NO": Lie flat on the floor, lift your head SLIGHTLY (such that it is not in contact with the floor) and look to the sides one by one without letting the head rest on the floor. Will look a bit like you are saying "NO." Say "YES": Again, lie flat on the floor, and bring your chin closer to your chest and bring it back making sure your head does not rest on the floor. This will look like you are saying YES. You will see the difference within a couple of weeks. No need to over do this. Just once a day...say, 20 reps."
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_do_you_get_rid_of_a_small_double_chin
This link also has some really good exercises you could try, including how to substitute the actual name-brand facial ball with something around the house:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/234613/chin_workout_for_double_chins.html
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If I have gone to 2nd or 3rd base (hand job, blow job, or if my partner performed oral/manual sex on me) and the doctor asks me if I'm sexually active, do I say yes?
By the way I'm not doing any of these things, but I probably will be in the future.
17, female (link)
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Yes, you would be considered sexually active, especially since you can contract STDs/STIs from oral sex. Herpes (HSV-1 & HSV-2), chlamydia, syphilis, HPV (Human papillomavirus), and even HIV (Human immunodeficiency virus) can be transmitted by engaging in oral sex .
It's important to inform your doctor when you have been sexually active and how many partners you have had. If you want to clarify it has only been oral then you may do so and they may write it in your chart. You may even want to let your doctor know that you are not currently sexually active but are planning to be in the near future.
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Well..i got like a sorta pimple on my lip and im wondering if it can be a Cold Sore because i dont think its Herpes cuz i never kissed a boy before..so is it a cold sore?? (link)
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I want to note that kissing doesn't mean you will have herpes.
Cold sores and fever blisters (which are all herpes simplex 1, commonly referred to as oral herpes though they can be transferred genitally) are common names for Herpes Simplex Virus 1.
I begin to have cold sores when I was in kindergarten and I had never kissed anyone--male or female. However, I did share drinks with my mother who had them occasionally and I assume that is how it spread to me.
So, if you've shared a drink with someone (or make-up, eating utensils, anything that touches lips) you could have gotten it. The person does not need to currently be having an outbreak to transfer it to you either. It is a fact that you don't have to have an active, open sore to be able to pass the virus on to other people or other parts of your body. The virus often sheds in skin cells and from the mucous membranes when there is no sign of a sore at all.
Herpes is very, very common now:
"...one in six adults have genital herpes. It is estimated that over 80 million Americans have herpes of one form or another. This means that 8 in 10 Americans are or will become infected."
http://www.genital-herpes-simplex.com/
...which would mean about 80% of the American population has herpes.
I also want to note that most people have regular outbreaks but it is possible to go years in between them. Most people also show signs of contracting HSV-1 about 10 to 14 days after but there are occasions where some do not have outbreaks for years.
Even if you do have herpes, it doesn't mean you will constantly have sores on your lips. If you keep your immune system up then you may be able to go awhile between outbreaks. If you constantly begin having outbreaks you can ask your doctor about looking into medication to suppress it.
If you are truly concerned it may be a cold sore (aka fever blister aka HSV-1 aka oral herpes) then you can have an STD test right now during the outbreak and it should show up positive for it.
There is no cure for herpes so it is a life-long thing people live with. There are treatments to make the outbreak shorter as well as medication that suppresses outbreaks. Here is a list of cold sore remedies to help speed up the healing process:
http://www.health911.com/remedies/rem_coldso.htm
Different people have different outbreaks. The outbreak could be small and just have one bump, or it could spread and become large and very bumpy. Here is a photo of oral herpes:
http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/hardin/md/cdc/1573.html
Usually the outbreak begins with a very slight tingling. It may increase to itching before a painful bump appears. The sore usually lasts 5 - 7 days and is commonly located on one of the sides of the upper lip (though it can be anywhere really). Though those are the common side-effects, some people do not experience any tingling, itching, or pain.
I wish you luck on figuring out if you have a cold sore.
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does anyone know or can anyone find the percentage of women to men who go on fad diets? Like how many more women go on fad diets then men? (link)
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I am not finding the percentages specifically on fad diets. I have found this though:
"However, many people (about 50 percent of women and 25 percent of men) eat strange combinations of food, drastically reduce caloric intake, and even eliminate entire food groups in the hopes of losing weight."
From:
http://www.dailynexus.com/article.php?a=2397
I'm fairly certain they mean "fad diets" really since the article is about such but it doesn't specifically state that. I'm not sure where they get their percentages either so I'm unsure how reliable it is.
This also has a few good facts about fad dieting that you may be interested in:
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/Publications/PM1980.pdf
I hope that helped you out some.
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whenever i change or go to the bathroom
there is always discharge in my underwear
its like a little white/yellow stain
one, is this normal?
two, is there any way to prevent this?
help please :[
(link)
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All women have discharge, varying in amount by when you are in your cycle. You are completely normal to be experiencing this.
If it bothers you then you can wear a pantyliner daily. Please do not wear a tampon as it can remove the good bacteria in your vagina (by drying it and then ripping it out) and cause an infection.
Different Discharges:
1. Before ovulation- There will be a little amount of mostly clear discharge.
2. Closer to ovulation- Discharge is moist and sticky. It is white/lightly cream colored. There is some mucus but it isn't as stretchy as it will be during ovulation.
3. At ovulation (roughly 14 days from your last period)- There will be a noticeably larger amount of discharge for a couple of days. It resembles egg whites and is stretchy. You are most fertile here (high risk pregnancy) and sperm entering your vagina at this time will be able to survive slightly longer than other times.
4. After ovulation- Discharge is sticky but not stretchy. Mostly clear, dwindling back to the "before ovulation" stage.
* The discharge you get when you have a yeast infection is quite different.
Vaginal yeast infections cause itching and burning, the white discharge may look similar to cottage cheese, pain during sexual intercourse, and swelling of the vulva. The discharge smells somewhat yeasty from what I've read. If you have never had one before and you suspect you do now, then you need to see your doctor for a proper diagnosis.
* Bacterial vaginosis (overgrowth of bacteria in your vagina) also means a change in your normal discharge. Many women experience an increase in discharge and a very unpleasant fishy odor; however, some women do not experience anything odd.
Remember, vaginal infections, medications, and birth control can all alter the appearance of your discharge.
If you feel that something is really not normal then it's best to see your doctor. A doctor will be able to tell you if what you're experiencing is totally normal discharge or if something is going wrong.
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hello there again. i guess by now most of you know that i want to confirm if my girlfrien is virgin or not.
all i want to ask is how exactly can i recognise the hymen layer to make sure of her virgnity. please tell me how exactly it looks like for virgins and for non virgin girls. please tell me about the main identification features. (link)
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As it's been said, there is not a 100% positive way to tell if your girlfriend is indeed a virgin or not.
Supposedly strenuous activity from things like gymnastics, cheerleading, and even horseback riding can tear the hymen. So, if it happens to be missing it could be possible that she was active in her younger days and will say it was torn then. Just as a side-note, if she masturbates or uses tampons she has probably torn her hymen.
There are also procedures to reconstruct the hymen now, called hymenoplasty. Even if for some reason the doctor cannot gather enough of what is left of the woman's hymen to pull back out and "restore" they now have a hymen implant. It is not easy to tell if the hymen has been restored or even if it's real.
Hymens vary vastly in shape and form for every woman, the most common being a half-moon shape. Pretty much it's a thin set of tissues just around the opening, so there still will be a small bit of opening visible.
Here is a link that shows drawings of the hymen, including the various types of hymens women can have:
http://www.healthystrokes.com/hymengallery.html
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does anyone know where i can buy The Sims Online?
(link)
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I haven't seen The Sims Online in stores but you may want to check some gaming shops like GameStop or EB Games. They're also good about letting you know if something is going to be coming in, on what date, and what the price will be of the game.
If you're able to purchase it online then Amazon has it:
http://www.amazon.com/Electronic-Arts-The-Sims-Online/dp/B0000DYLDC
And you can always check out the EA Store:
http://eastore.ea.com/
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Okay, I've never really engaged in sex until my senior year started in August. Since then, I've just been sleeping around. I would say that I've slept with at least 15-16 guys since August. Why all of the sudden am I so promiscuous? (link)
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There could be a number of reasons why you are doing this to yourself. I suspect you realize it's wrong since you don't speak so positive about what you've been doing.
It could be a lack of knowledge about sexually transmitted disease and infections. If you aren't sure what you could catch from being sexually intimate with another person then you may feel there is no need to be "picky" about your partners, especially if you're using a form of birth control and haven't been taught they sometimes fail (yes, there is ALWAYS a chance of them failing).
Here are some VERY scary facts about STDs:
http://www.ashastd.org/learn/learn_statistics.cfm
On Wikipedia there is some more information on STDs and they even have a list later down the page, you should really check them out:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sexually_transmitted_disease
It could be guilty feelings of not waiting for the right partner. A childhood dream of getting married and having the perfect life has just crashed and your first was not your only. For many people, losing their virginity and later being dumped for another man/woman sparks something in them that causes a self-hatred.
Deep down inside they realize they messed up their chance at a fairytale life. They begin to throw themselves into a self-destructive pattern and it's often difficult for them to realize they have a problem and need to seek out professional help.
A lack of care and attention at home could be the problem. This could date back to your childhood and you not even realize it. A way of receiving some sort of love (as sex is perceived as loving) and attention is to go out and offer what you know will snag such a feeling--your body. Many people have this problem and must go into therapy to work it out. There are many support groups even that you could join if you feel this may be the root cause.
It could be a form of rebellion. Many young people know their parents and God disapproves of sexual relations before marriage. They are now being told by the media to view it as a way to be their own person. Teenagers today are being brainwashed to rebel against their parents and to turn their backs on religion for happiness.
There's also a major possibility that it's all about this day and age. Sex is being played up to be popular and that we should all engage in sex with as many people as possible because it feels good. Now that we have condoms and birth control pills, patches, rings, and shots sex is being made-out to be completely safe. We aren't pressed that all of these methods have been known to fail and none of them fully protect against STDs/STIs (which can lead to sterilization or birth defects in infants if pregnancy is possible).
What's more horrifying is now we are taught that if the method we are using does fail, we can throw the result of it away without negative feelings. Having an undeveloped human removed from your womb so that you can have a feel-good life means destroying a life for selfishness. Leaving an infant at a hospital for later adoption because you're "not ready" to be a parent is also very selfish.
It was never a surprise that sex resulted in pregnancy. It was never a surprise that having sex meant you could catch an STD/STI and if a person became pregnant while having these it could mean a disabled child. We are being taught to ignore these factors.
Daily we are pushed to have sex though. We no longer think about consequences. We now strive for some sick form of popularity that could leave us scared for the rest of our lives. We are taught that if you want someone to like you then you have to be sexual. We are taught that if we have a contraceptive then everything will be alright. We are being taught lies and nobody has enough sense to push for the truth and not fall into the trap.
The media tells us that "sex" is vaginal intercourse. In reality sex can be vaginal, anal, and even oral. You can contract STDs from all of them but we're now being told that vaginal intercourse is the only one we should be worrying about. There are always major risks when engaging in sexual activity and any type of sex is sex to God.
It almost seems like a government conspiracy. The more STDs and STIs we get, the more chance we have given up our ability to later reproduce. With this comes more and more fertility clinics with higher and higher prices. The more it's pushed by the government that all birth control methods are safe, the more we believe this to be the truth. The more HIV/AIDs victims we get, the more people need to be dependent on the government for medication and income.
Scary, isn't it? And just think, it can take 10 years before a person shows up as HIV positive and they never even knew it!
It could also be a mental inability to choose right from wrong. If you know you're putting you and every person you have sexual relations with at risk for STDs and STIs then it's important to seek out a good therapist.
You know you risk pregnancy and have no negative feelings toward giving the child a hard life from being unprepared (or killing the life so you can pretend there are no consequences). If urges cannot be properly controlled for whatever reason then the person truly needs to seek out help.
Any way it is, you have a serious problem that you know needs to be fixed. Stop this cycle and seek out help if you need it to be able to stop. Think of what you're wagering by being sexually active. Think of the consequences and how you would handle each of them.
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When you get a BIG discharge does that mean your period's coming soon?
Thanks (link)
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I'm assuming "big" discharge means a lot of it, like the type of discharge a women has when she is ovulating. Ovulation usually occurs about 14 days after the last period.
"Ovulation occurs when a mature egg is released from the ovary, pushed down the fallopian tube, and is available to be fertilized [in the uterus]."
...which was from: http://www.americanpregnancy.org/gettingpregnant/understandingovulation.html
The discharge probably resembles egg whites sort-of and is quite stretchy. Just so you know, you're high risk getting pregnant at this stage in your cycle if this is the case.
Discharge is to help cleanse your vagina from bad bacteria (which is being secreted) and to help provide lubrication for sperm to successfully make it to your egg to fertilize it. Every woman has discharge and it's totally normal for the amounts to increase or decrease.
Different Discharges:
Before ovulation- There will be a small amount of clear discharge.
Closer to ovulation- Discharge is moist/sticky and is white or lightly cream colored. There is some mucus but it isn't as stretchy as it will be during ovulation.
At ovulation- There will be a lot of discharge at this point for a couple of days. It will be like egg whites and is stretchy. You are most fertile here (high risk pregnancy) and sperm entering your body at this time will be able to survive slightly longer than normal.
After ovulation- Discharge is sticky but not stretchy. Mostly clear and will dwindle back to the "before ovulation" state.
The discharge you get when you have a yeast infection is quite different though. Vaginal yeast infection cause itching and burning, a white vaginal discharge that may look similar to cottage cheese, pain during sexual intercourse, and swelling of the vulva. The discharge smells somewhat yeasty from what I've been told. If you have never had one before and you suspect you do now, then you need to see your doctor for a proper diagnosis.
Bacterial vaginosis (overgrowth of bacteria in your vagina) also means a change of your normal discharge. Many women experience an increase in discharge and a very unpleasant fishy odor from their vaginas; however, some women do not experience anything out of the ordinary.
Remember, vaginal infections, medications, and birth control can all change the normal cycle appearance of your discharge.
If you feel that something is not normal then it's best to see your doctor about it. A doctor will be able to tell you if what you're experiencing is totally normal discharge or not.
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I know someone who said that they don't really "cut" but they use anything they find that's kind of sharp and scratch their skin until it's just kind of raw... but they don't make themselves bleed, they get to the point right before they would bleed. They said they feel depressed but don't tell people that because they want to make everyone happy... and they just like having the marks on them and keeping it a secret. (link)
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Actually that is referred to as self-injury or self-harm. Cutting is one form of this so you were on the right track.
Other forms of self-injury you may not recognize are: Punching, hitting and scratching of the self, choking of self, self-biting (hands, limbs, tongue, lips, or arms), picking at or re-opening wounds (dermatillomania), ulceration, or sutures, hair-pulling (referred to as trichotillomania), burning self (cigarette burns, eraser burns, salt and ice burns, etc.), stabbing self (could be with wire, pins, needles, nails, staples, pens, or even hair accessories), and the list goes on.
For some self-injurers the relief is psychological while for others this feeling of relief comes from the beta endorphins released in the brain from the act. These endorphines reduce tension and emotional distress and may lead to a feeling of calmness. With this being said, self-injury can become very addictive and may result in increasingly severe acts (possibly leading to accidental suicide).
Your friend really should seek out a good therapist to work with. According to Wikipedia:
"Psychiatric and personality disorders are common in individuals who self-harm and as a result self-injury may be an indicator of depression and/or other psychological problems. Many people who self-harm suffer from moderate or severe clinical depression..."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Self-harm
Meaning your friend may be in more mental distress than you two even realize. I understand the self-harming is a "secret" but he/she really needs to get therapy so they can get better and be able to function normally.
You really need to talk with your friend about seeking out a counselor. A school counselor could be a decent place to start. Your secret could potentially turn dangerous if he/she begins to up the pain and start to cut. Many people who self-injure do not do it for suicide purposes but it is not uncommon for them to accidentally commit suicide.
Here is a good link with tips on how to help your friend:
http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/your_mind/problems/friend_cuts.html
I wish you luck on gaining enough knowledge on this subject to help your friend find the proper help.
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my best friend is an adult baby i like her as a friend but confused about her life style 18/m (link)
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I understand this is her lifestyle but from my understanding most of the kink is hidden when going out in public.
If you are uncomfortable by her being an adult baby around you then communicate with her and let her know you'd really appreciate it if she didn't express her kink in front of you. If you choose to do that, then try your very best not to come off as rude so you don't lose a good friendship.
I understand your confusion about this but it really is not anything to be concerned about. It seems to me that the adult-baby group is very against illegal activities for one. From what I'm seeing online they are all consenting adults and it really has nothing to do with children:
"Most AB/DL (Adult Baby/Diaper Lovers) organizations will expel child molesters."
Here is a pretty decent link that has a lot of information about this lifestyle:
http://www.answers.com/topic/paraphilic-infantilism?cat=health
That site is not graphic in any way and there are no photos. It seems to me that it was written to simply be informative.
It also says that it's a way that these people de-stress. Today's world is hectic enough and many of these people have a lot of responsibility from their jobs. So, for them it's a way to get away from their stress and relax. It also says, it's common for this to not even lead to sexual activities.
So, I wouldn't be concerned about your friend's lifestyle. If you have any more questions then you should definately ask her since she knows. I'm sure she's answered questions before about it.
I wish you luck on gathering enough information to overcome your confusion on this topic so you can keep a good friend.
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Alright, I'm turning 16 in June.
I first got my period when I was 13, I think it only lasted 2 days.
I didn't get it again until I was 14, and I think it ran a normal course (somewhere between 5-7 days)
Then I got it about 3 times last year, one was really heavy, the other 2 were normal. The second one was around 28 days after the first one, so I thought it had finally become regular, but the last one was a few months later.
I also got it once at the start of this year, and it was really heavy.
Anyway, my question is, it's been nearly 3 years and my period is STILL irregular. I understand when you first get it it's irregular, but after such a long time is it normal or should I go get medical advice about it? (link)
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It's normal to have a screwy period when you first start but your body has had well enough time to adjust and get on a schedule.
You should really see your doctor now as there could be underlying problems. Stress, weight fluctuation, hormone imbalances, or even cysts on the ovaries ( possibly polycystic ovary syndrome) could be the reason(s) why your period is so irregular.
A professional will be able to tell you why your periods are still odd.
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what do you think autisim really is please be polite (link)
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There are many people that are autistic and you must go case by case. Some are very, very high functioning autistics and some aren't. To help you out some, here is the DSM-IV, or Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, criteria (this is what psychologists use to diagnose autism):
http://ani.autistics.org/dsm4-autism.html
It clearly states there that they must meet so many criteria from each section. So, just because someone meets, say, 3 criteria in the entire list it does not mean they're autistic. Anyway, that may help if you're wanting to know how doctors and such classify a person as autistic.
In addition, the Autism Society of America estimates that nearly 600,000 adults are living with autism in just the United States. It seems like more and more people are being diagnosed with autism as years go by so it's predicted that the number will continue increasing.
It's been suggested that autistic people are more intelligent than the average person. They find more interest in their own minds rather than the interaction of other people. They simply do not need others to interact with like other people do. This is why many of them never bother learning to speak--it isn't that their brain isn't capable, it is that they find no need for such things.
Many autistic people have one or two things they really get into for some reason. Computers seem to be common and so is running water. I've seen autistics stand completely still, seemingly memorized by a faucet running cool water. I've also heard about autistics that were highly intelligent when it came to computers and could even communicate clearly by typing the English language.
I have a cousin that is autistic. He knows the English language, and this is proven by him being able to do his homework. He is able to read and write though he really doesn't like to unless it's about certain subjects (Ray Stevens or Will Smith actually). He enjoys silly music but will repeatedly listen to the songs over and over. He really enjoys playing on the computer and will spend hours going through folders and searching for things (again, what he's interested in). He has never learned to speak but it's been proven that he can. He has said, "Mom, Mommy, Dad, No, Please, I love you," to a few family members here and there.
He is much different than another autistic woman I saw on CNN. The woman was able to attend college courses and communicate by typing out her words. She also got lost in watching water and was completely aware she did. She did not verbally express thoughts like we do though. The woman's name is Amanda Baggs, I believe, so you may be able to find some more information on the internet about her.
I hope you find out more about autism and what you're really looking for about it.
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