about

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The name is Leah. I live in Cincinnati, OH. I really love to give advice! I have been here since November of 2004. But prior to joining here, I was always been seeked for advice. Still to this day, my primary concern is always helping someone out in need.

I am likely not the best columnist here, but I can quarantee I am very dedicated and concerned when I answer a question. If I answer a question you're not satisfied with, I will ask why, so I can try my best to change my answer. I only give people information that I know; not information that I might know. And if I notice a columnist giving you a wrong answer, you'll know I'll be correcting their response!!

I do allow everyone and anyone to ask a question. I may have listed favorite categories, but I really have no preference. I do love making new friends!! It's no problem to contact me by e-mail or IM. I do have a Myspace, and I will gladly give it out if asked! If you ever need advice, if you feel like ending it all, if you feel like no one cares, I am here!! Talk to me.. I will listen and I will help you!!

♥Leah

advice

Just wondering; is it illegal to show or resend a picture of someone who sent you a "sexting" picture? I know it's illegal to even receive a picture of that sort if the person's under the age of 18, but if they're 18 or older, is it still okay to send the picture around or show it to others? It seems like it shouldn't be, but I'm not sure.

Thanks :)

If you're above age, sending bad pictures to another above-age, they're is no problem there. But, one of the reasons sexting is illegal in the first place is that, it can get into the hands of a minor; therefore, you can get in trouble.

I wouldn't trust the sendees when receiving the pictures. Now that they have the picture, they can do whatever they want with it.

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Okay first of all, I live in Australia.

I don't have regular visits to the dentist and i brush my teeth about once a day(im too busy to do it more) but sometimes i dont brush, and i don't floss either. And i know what your going to say: "Well what did you expect". I just need help.

I woke up this morning and my mouth was full of blood, and i had a small blood clot. I brushed my teeth, then washed my mouth out with salt + warm water then i washed my mouth out with mouth wash, and the bleeding has stopped, for now. Theres still a small red thing where it was bleeding from and if i press on it, it will start bleeding again, so i won't do that.

Can anyone tell me how to get rid of it? I don't know if its gingivitis either because my mouth doesn't hurt and i don't have swelling at the moment but it most likely is gingivitis. Dentists cost ALOT and i dont have any dental insurance or whatever, all i have is a medicare card(i dont know if america has it so i dont know if you know what medicare card is) and I don't think my bulk billing doctor can help because he aint a dentist.

Can anyone helpp? The dentist isn't an option because i have no money, especially ranging from hundreds of $$.

Uninsured like me, I know how you feel about how your options are strictly limited. I am in the US; not Australia. But, I am sure there are clinics out there, or an Urgent care center you can go to to get a diagnosis.

Gingivitis is when instead of your gums being a healthy looking pink, it's a brownish color. It hurts to brush your teeth, because when you floss or brush you bleed.

Medicare, US has too. They may not fully cover a trip to the dentist like regular insurance, but you can try calling a Dentristry to see if they accept those cards.

You're right Doctors aren't dentists, but they are Doctors, they know the human anatomy and the basics of gum health. Call up someone and see what they say. I am pretty sure they'll just direct you to a Dentist, but if you can only seek a Doctor, see what they have to say.

I don't have money either, and I don't have insurance. In fact, I am actually burdened with medical bills because of the things that are going on with me. But when something went wrong with me I didn't hesitate and I went to someone. Because waiting it out will cause the condition to just get potentially worse. But medicare is a huge help, and I am definitely sure it can be in this situation. I would rather deal with it now, than wait it off and just pay even more money when it starts getting worse.

At least call a dentist or your Doctor up. See what they say, at least start in that direction. Or head to clinic and get some say there. Start somewhere, so you know where to go and what to do when money is an issue, and your health may be at risk.

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I am trying to calculate when I ovulate, and I keep being asked for my luteal phase. I have never heard of this before, and when I try to look it up it is defined as starting the day after you ovulate. If I knew when I was ovulating then I wouldn't be trying to calculate it.

I am so confused, and could really use a very simple explanation as to how to calculate my Luteal phase so that I can calculate when I will be ovulating.

Thank you so much!

oh if it helps my menstrual cycle is 27 days, and my last period was january 13th 2010 and it ended January 19th 2010.

I just started my period again today, february 9th 2010.

I appreciate any help you might be able to give.. thanks in advance.

I know how you feel. Especially when you're trying to conceive you see everywhere that you need to know your Luteal phase to know when you are ovulating, and you can't even figure out when exactly you are ovulating in the first place.

The previous columnist is right, but I saw your question so I wanted to add to their answer.

There are free online tests to calculate your ovulation. Just know the date of the first day or your last period. It will give you an estimate of when you will ovulate. The whole 14 day thing is the average for a woman with a 28-day cycle. Realistically, not all women have a 28 day cycle. I don't even have that cycle. Some have 30 days cycles, so how can you go about figuring your luteal phase?

There are kits at your local pharmacy to help you. There are kits to help you with finding your LH surge, a hormone during ovulation. Track your basal temperature, and track your periods for about 6 months. From the time you ovulate to the time of your period is usually your luteal phase.

You can also see your Ob/gyn to get a more precise number. You said your cycle is about 27 days anyway, so your phase would probably be 13, not 14.

If you are trying to conceive, all these things on your luteal phase can be confusing. Your Ob/Gyn is always there if you need assistance about ovulation and conceiving. If you just need to know for other reasons, keeping track can also help.

If you are uninsured like me, and you're having problems with reproduction or hormones, seek a clinic like I did, and they'll provide information on how to gain better knowledge about your body.

I hope I helped.

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I'm an 18 year old successful student at a top college...and I've found myself with the crazy urge to have a baby. This started in October. My boyfriend of 8 months and I ran out of condoms and had unprotected sex. It was the first time we had ever done it without one and I was terrified. A week later we broke up due to stress from living in different states. A couple weeks later I found out I was pregnant and I was scared to death, then a couple days later I had a miscarriage. Two months later we got back together and he now lives half an hour from my school. He knows I miscarried but we don't talk about it.
Since we've gotten back together we've had sex without a condom..a lot. Every so often it makes me nervous that I'll get pregnant again, even though he always pulls out, he pulled out the first time and I got pregnant on precum. But sometimes I'm completely unconcerned that I'll get pregnant and have a "if it happens, it happens" type of attitude about it.
I know he doesn't want kids now. His best friend is a new dad and he always talks about how stupid he was to get his girl knocked up but we're pretty much putting ourselves in the same situation.
I've always wanted children and I wanted my first by the time I was 24 so I've always wanted to be a younger mom but I never thought this young. Part of what makes me feel this way is seeing my boyfriend when he's around children. We're good friends with a 26 year old couple with two toddler girls and whenever my guy is around the kids he's so amazing with them.
I know his family would be supportive and knowing that isn't helping me get myself out of that. I know its hard to have kids, I've babysit triplet boys from the time they were born until they were 6.
I have the urge to have a baby, and I need to get out of it.

There's nothing wrong with how you feel. A lot of girls get that way around your age. The only thing you want to be concerned about is how ready you and your boyfriend is. It's important to have some money in and some decent jobs, as well as a decent environment to be born and raised in.

I don't want to encourage or discourage you, but do what would make you feel happier, and make sure your boyfriend would approve.

But if you really want to wait, I would keep babysitting and spending time with kids. Finish college and get a nice job, and start considering the baby thing.

But make sure you're not wanting a child for the wrong reasons. To just have the "urge" would be a bad reason. But if you want one to raise a family and exchange unconditional love amongst you two, then that's a nice reason.

Whatever your decision is, I hope you make the right one for yourself and your boyfriend =].

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i've been with my boyfriend for a year now. we are deeply inlove, but we have a problem. he has a way stronger sex drive then i do which causes fights and tension. he has agreed to calm down with his as long as i improve mine. i have no idea how to do this. i heard certain scents might work and to just relax before hand. i'm sexually attracted to him and when i do get in the mood i think about him. we both have rough work schedules so we don't see eachother as much as we would like but when we do see eachother, i want to make it as special as possible. so any tips on how to get into the mood more often would be great lol thanks!

Men have a higher libido than women do, it's a proven fact. If your man can't accept that your libido may be a bit lower than his, then it's not much worth it. Testosterone would be the one at fault. Since men have more of it than women, a higher sex drive will be in affect.

But yes, some scents may help, and herbal supplements like Ginseng may help too. Try to put on some soothing music to help you get in the mood.

But he really should be patient with you when you two are having a romantic moment together. I would also suggest try finding ways to reduce your stress level so you can relax a bit more to prepare yourself for a sexual moment.

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Ok, so about 3 weeks ago, i got fingered and my cherry popped. (embarrassing i know) but anyways ever since then i've had a period like on and off. and now its really heavy and won't stop.
is my period being weird because of that?

Possibly but not likely. If you're young, periods can act weird on you regardless. If your period persists like that for a couple weeks I would definitely see your Doctor or head to a Clinic.

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I know this sounds really, really stupid but how do I clean the insides of my ears properly? I read on a Q-Tip box that you aren't suppose to insert the Q-Tip into the ear canal. How do you clean ears then if you cannot put the Q-Tip in your ear? I can't figure out another way to do it and I feel stupid! Can someone just explain this to me?

You aren't recommended to use Q-tips because they can push the wax back into your ear, and your hearing can be effected. It also can take out too much wax because your ears need wax for hearing.

They recommend buying an ear syringe. You can get one at any drug/grocery store. Mix water and hydrogen peroxide, let the syringe soak some up, put it into an ear, wait 20 minutes, and irrogate your ear with warm water. Repeat on the other side of the ear. When you rinse, you can see some wax come out.

To remove chlorinated water inside your ears you can use Swimmer's Ear or mix rubbing alcohol and water together, and put that in your as well. Wait a minute, and irrogate.

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my car keeps dying when i am stopped at a light or about to stop i think it might be the filter but i really have no idea the car is a Dodge Interpid 2002 3.7L

My car did that too.

Problem was the fuel injector. You might need it fixed. It was clogged, limiting the amount of fuel to be used.

It could be anything.. so most places do a free dignostic test.

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I went to the doctor and apparently I have been diagnosed with a form of cancer. I haven't gone back in or anything yet since they called me but I have an appointment next week. What is cancer exactly? Can someone explain it to me before I go in to see the doctor? I think if I know about it more then I'll relax about this...

Cancer would mean you have mutated cells that would be harmful to your body.

Like prostate cancer would mean your prostate cells are mutated. These mutated cells can spread throughout your body, and damage surrounding organs. The cells are dying off quicker than they are regenerating. Which isn't good.

So the earlier you get this treated, the better. Idk how early it was caught or where it's at. But that's generally what cancer is.

I am sorry to hear, and I hope things go well for you. Take care.

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i just have a couple of questions about the sims 3 game. first off, my sims have raised their kids to adults but i can figure out how to get them married. they all have girlfrinds and boyfriends but i cant do anything else. i thought maybe it was because i have a full household but i figured i could make them move out. i cant do that though without making the new home the active home. if i make the new one active, can i still go back and play the house i have now? thanks so much in advance.

Make sure their green bar is full, so they have a romantic interest in each other.

Then choose "go steady."

Try to keep up the green bars, and then propose. It'll be an option.

You can also switch active homes. You'd first need to find a computer to move a sim out. They will move out.. they'll ask you to choose a new house or build your own. Then it'll ask you which house you want active. But if you want switch over on occasion, just find the house and make it active again. Or it may show up on the main menu.

Sims 3 is a bit confusing, but you'll catch on quickly.

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Hello i recently got off birth control because im ready to start a family. (YAZ) if that helps. I've only been off of it for about a week. When is the soonest i could get pregnant? We have sex about 4 out of 7 days of the week.

Thanks!

You can start ASAP, but your chances will increase after a few months, when your hormones regulate more.

You can always google Ovulation prediction sites, and will give you a week when you're most fertile. I know many products can help measure your LH surge, and hormones to see how fertile you are as well as to measure your basal temperature.

Eat well, exercise well, ease your stress, and research fertility and ovulation. It will help you conceive.

Good luck on conceiving =]

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Why is it that I do better, socially, with people older than me? I'm 20 and almost all of my friends that I talk to are 30 and up. Some are even much older...like in their 60's and 70's. I'm not sure why but I feel like I relate better with them and have better conversations. My time spent with older people is more enjoyable than with those my own age. Is this normal?

Nothing wrong with it. You may just find more people of your age immature. I am 19, and I don't have many friends of my age. Older people seem to have better things to talk about.

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Me and my boyfriend have been having sex for a couple weeks. I love it and it feels absolutely amazing but I can never orgasm or even get close to orgasm. It is generally pretty difficult for me to have an orgasm, especially with another person, so I'm not surprised in that - but sex feels better than anything I've ever done, and I still can't get close!

Are there any tips anyone can give me for having an orgasm? I feel like it's my insecurity issues, maybe, or something like that, but I want to be able to let go and make it easier for myself to have an orgasm. Thanks for any help.

It's harder for a female to orgasm because the clitoris isn't being fully stimulated.. that's why.

I would try to make closer skin to skin contact and spread your legs more to get more stimulation. Or have you or your boyfriend use his/your fingers to stimulate it as you're doing it.

That could help.

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Is it possible to lose weight and keep skin tight? Do you guys know of any lotions, creams, or exercises to keep the skin from sagging after weightloss?

If you're talking about major weight loss, your skin might sag.

It varies, but I would just call up your Doctor about a diet that'd be good for you. So you can try avoiding that.

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Okay, well. Earlier last month (September) My boyfriend and I were taking a shower and after just went to the bed to carry it on. We were both naked and all, but he never stuck it in or anything. We're both still virgins. But afterwards, I wanted to take a bubble bath and so we did. We didnt do anything in there, I just played with the bubbles and stuff. I'm just wondering, could something have happened when we were in his bed? I was on top of him and everything, and my vagina was down there along with his penis, but like I said, we didnt do anything. But his penis was against me. Also, can sperm like, swim through the water in the bathtub and get into me? I'm just a wee bit paranoid right now.

Thank you :D!

Only way to get pregnant is if the penis entered the vagina. If you mean dry sex, then you are very unlikely to get pregnant. If you do, it'd be a miracle.

And no, the sperm would likely die off in the water. So no worry about that.

To conclude, I wouldn't be any concerned until you're late.

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okay so my lower back has 5 itchy, big bumps on it, underneath my arm there's 5 more, there's 1 on my shoulder, 1 on my leg, and 2 more on the same arm where there's 5 except on the top not underneath. so all together i have 14 swollen itchy bumps and i think they might be spider bites but i don't know for sure and i don't know where they came from they just appeared in like the last 2 or 3 nights, i haven't spent time outside recently at all, and even when i was outside for a little i'm fully clothed in those areas cause it's getting cold out. is it possible there's a spider that keeps coming from out of nowhere and biting me when i'm sleeping? is there anything else it could be? could they not be bites at all but be something dangerous? i just want to make sure because if i schedule a meeting with my doctor i don't want her to say they're just spider bites and there's probably one living in my room or something because i would just feel stupid. thanks

It more sounds like bed bugs or some other household bug.

I'd check your mattress for any signs of bugs, and wash you blankets, clothes, and clean your room. I'd google bed bug bites as well, they're known to be red and very itchy.

Also, I would contact your Doctor to see what you can do to treat the bites.

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Ok so my tzones is currently not working and hasnt been for awhile. I called them and they said that tzones is down and not working. I really want a new ringtone but i cant find one anywhere. I need to know if there are good heavy metal hifi ringtones on tmobile.com I cant think of anything that actully comes up and all i really want is a good heavy metal ringtone. Any suggestions on what they have or what to look up?

Tmobile doesn't have specific categories, all you can do is look up Rock or try bands that you like.

I know when I downloaded some, they had Pantera and Godsmack. It's hard to find them, but start out with Rock and see what you get.

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I have a puffy face as a side effect from taking antidepressants. I hate it. My face is so puffy, my eyes look like they're being swallowed and they look all tiny. My cheeks are huge too. Anything that will help with this?
Thanks.

To a response from the previous answer, do not completely stop taking them. Call your Doctor prompto for an alternative antidepressant.

Right now, put ice on your face, and take some Aleve (NSAID) to help the swelling.

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I take 30mg of Vyvanse in the mornings before school on weekdays. It's supposed to last till 6-7 at night but it hardly lasts past 3. I know no one here's a doctor, but I'm sure there's someone who's had experience with this. If it's wearing off so fast does that mean I should go up on dosage? I wouldn't do anything without talking to the doctor first but I just want some advice before making a decision.

Some medications can do that to people. I would call up your Doctor to see about adjusting your medication or going on time-released medicine.

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I'm on seasonique birth control. My last two packets I've started to spot a week before I switch to the sugar pills. My doctor told me to just start taking the sugar pills and have my period. Well I started to spot today so I was going to start the sugar pills, it just so happens I have an appointment on thursday to see my gynecologist. Should I reschedule or is it okay to go to your gynecologist on your period?

If you're doing a Papsmear, I would suggest you call your Gynecologist to reschedule. But if it's just a checkup on the birth control or something, then no you're fine.

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