STD Q If you have cold sores on your mouth when giving oral sex, can your partner contract genital herpes? —Mary Lou, 17, Houston

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STD Q

If you have cold sores on your mouth when giving oral sex, can your partner contract genital herpes?
—Mary Lou, 17, Houston 

TeensHealth: The simple answer is yes. It is definitely possible to contract genital herpes from oral sex.

Genital herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types of the herpes viruses — HSV-1 and HSV-2. Genital herpes is usually caused by HSV-2, and oral herpes (cold sores) is usually caused by HSV-1. However, genital herpes can occasionally also be caused by HSV-1. Someone with HSV-1 can transmit the virus through oral contact with another person's genitals, anus, or mouth, even if they don't have sores that are visible at the time.

Other than abstinence (not having sex) the best way to prevent herpes is to use a condom during any type of sex (oral, vaginal, or anal). You should have your partner use a dental dam every time you receive oral sex to protect against STDs

Birth Control I want to start using birth control but I don't want to tell my parents I'm having sex. Where/how can I get it without them finding out? —Bethany, 19, Albany

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Birth Control

I want to start using birth control but I don't want to tell my parents I'm having sex. Where/how can I get it without them finding out?
—Bethany, 19, Albany 

TeensHealth: It can be difficult talking to parents about having sex. But surprisingly, many parents are receptive to discussing sex and birth control. Still, if you can't talk to your parents, there is a lot you can do.
If you are interested in finding out your birth control options and getting sexual health care, your first step should be to set up an appointment with your health professional (pediatrician, gynecologist, adolescent medicine doctor, or other health provider). Or make an appointment at your local Planned Parenthood, free clinic, or at your student health center if you're in college. Don't be afraid to discuss birth control with your doctor. Thanks to doctor-patient confidentiality, your doc can't spill about the Pill to your parents without your permission.

The Pill is covered by most health insurance plans, but that may not be an easy option if you are on your parents' plan. The Pill can cost anywhere from $20 to $50 a month, depending on type, and this may be something you can afford without having to go through insurance. Just remember that if you do go on the Pill, it's not a free pass to unprotected sex. You should still make sure your partner always wears a condom.

Baby, Baby, Baby Based on your menstrual cycle, when's the best time to have sex so you have the lowest chance of pregnancy? —Megan, 16, Arizona

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Baby, Baby, Baby

Based on your menstrual cycle, when's the best time to have sex so you have the lowest chance of pregnancy?
—Megan, 16, Arizona 

TeensHealth: For teens, there's really no good time to have unprotected sex and avoid pregnancy. That's because a girl's menstrual cycle takes time to settle down after she starts getting her period — even several years. And until that happens, it can be hard to judge when a girl is fertile.

Once a woman's cycle has settled down, she is most fertile during the few days two weeks before her period known as ovulation. This is when a woman's ovaries release the tiny egg that can then be fertilized by sperm and grow into a fetus. Of course, teen girls ovulate too, but the timing can be very hard to predict. So it's quite possible that a girl may be fertile without knowing it.

There are lots of myths out there about pregnancy and periods — but they're wrong. The truth is, a girl can get pregnant if she's never had her period, a girl can get pregnant the first time she has sex, and a girl can get pregnant if she has sex during her period. Because teen girls can ovulate even during what seems to be a period, a girl's best bet to avoid pregnancy is using a reliable method of birth control, like the Pill or the patch. Couples should also use condoms to help prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Not So Fast...My boyfriend wants to have sex but I'm not ready. What should I do? —Eden, 14, Louisiana

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Not So Fast...

My boyfriend wants to have sex but I'm not ready. What should I do?
—Eden, 14, Louisiana 

TeensHealth: It's common in relationships for one person to want sex when the other isn't ready. So talk to your boyfriend and let him know your feelings. If he cares about you, he'll listen. And if he tries to talk you out of your feelings or convince you that you're wrong, then he may not be the right guy for you.

Let your boyfriend know what you are comfortable with and what you're not ready for. Mutual respect is the foundation of a good relationship. If your boyfriend is the understanding, caring guy you hope he is, he won't try to pressure you.

Could I Get Pregnant?

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Could I Get Pregnant?

My boyfriend and I have recently started to have oral sex. We have not yet had vaginal sex. Is it possible for me to get pregnant?
—Anonymous, 16, Mansfield, OH 

TeensHealth: No. You can't get pregnant from oral or anal sex alone. For a girl to get pregnant, the guy's sperm has to get into her vagina — and eventually up through the cervix into the uterus — and this can't happen physically with oral or anal sex. However, if a couple has anal sex and some of the guy's sperm ends up near the opening to the girl's vagina, there is a chance she could get pregnant.

Although you can't get pregnant from oral and anal sex, you can still get STDs like herpes and HIV (the virus that causes AIDS). So if you're having oral or anal sex, always use a condom

Let's Talk About Sex Q & A

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Let's Talk About Sex

Everyone says to plan ahead about sex, but I don't know how to bring it up with my boyfriend. How should I do it? What should I say?
—Helen, 17, Georgia 

TeensHealth: It's great that you're thinking about this ahead of time. When it comes to sex, there are lots of issues to think about, such as how sex could affect your relationship, what happens if you get pregnant, and how you can prevent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Sometimes people avoid talking about these important issues because they're embarrassed, they don't know how, or they think it will make the mood less romantic. But you need to talk about these things ahead of time.

If you're going to have sex, you have to protect yourself against pregnancy and STDs. At the very least, that means using a condom. Your boyfriend needs to understand that's important to you. Exactly what words you use to tell him depends on your personality and his. But you might want to practice saying the words to yourself or with a friend so you'll feel more comfortable having the conversation when the time comes.

Ready, Set... sex Q & A

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Ready, Set...

How do you know when you're really ready for sex?
—Kathy, 16, Florida 

TeensHealth: Sex is very intimate. It's not just physical, it's emotional too. It's normal for teens to have strong sexual feelings, but it doesn't always mean you have to act on them.

You can feel physically ready for sex but not be in the right relationship for any number of reasons. Because having sex is so emotionally powerful, it's easy to get hurt. Sex is only part of a relationship. Other important things — like trust, mutual respect, and caring — need to be in place too.

Finally, for all its magic, sex can have a downside, such as an unplanned pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases (STD

Virgin Territory sex questions and answer

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Virgin Territory

How painful is sex the first time?
—Lena, 15, Maryland 

TeensHealth: It varies. For some girls, there's no pain whatsoever; for others, sex can be uncomfortable.

Some girls feel discomfort when the hymen stretches or tears, which can cause a little bleeding. Sometimes a girl may not be aroused (or she's feeling nervous or worried) so her vagina isn't lubricated enough for the guy's penis to enter comfortably. Lubricated condoms can help. And of course, couples should always use a condom every time they have sex to protect against unplanned pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

In general, though, pain during sex does indicate that things aren't going as they should and it's a good topic to talk to your doctor about.\

Is It Wrong? sex questions and answer

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Is It Wrong?

Is masturbation wrong? I feel so guilty doing it.
—Lily, 16, California 

TeensHealth: Lots of people have heard all sorts of myths and misinformation about masturbation. Some worry that masturbation may cause health or emotional problems — but that's not true.

It's normal for teens to masturbate. If someone is masturbating so much that it interferes with his or her daily life, that could be a problem, though.

Masturbation is often considered a private topic and some people may feel embarrassed to think or ask about it. And when you're too embarrassed to talk about something, you might hear and believe things that aren't accurate. If you have concerns or questions about masturbation, have a conversation with your doctor, nurse, or other health counselor — they'll have heard questions like this before

What's an Orgasm? sex questions ans..

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What's an Orgasm?

What's an orgasm, exactly, and how do I know if I've had one?
—Christie, 15, Texas 

TeensHealth: An orgasm is an intense, pleasurable physical feeling that can occur during sex or masturbation. Like many feelings, orgasms are difficult to describe. Orgasms vary from person to person, and can be different for the same person at different times. Some are more subtle, while others are very powerful. A person's heart beats faster, breathing gets quicker, and muscles in the pelvis contract and then suddenly relax with a wave of feeling that can be pleasurable and, for many people, emotional.

Your Most Common Sex Questions — Answered!

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Under Pressure

I'm feeling a lot of pressure to have sex. How do I know if my boyfriend is just using me?
—Oakley, 16, Ontario, Canada 

Teenshealth: Sometimes in relationships one person is ready to have sex but the other isn't. This can be stressful — you don't want to compromise what you're not ready for or what you believe.

You need to do what is right for you. Anyone who tries to pressure you into having sex isn't really thinking about what matters most to you. People who pressure others into having sex are only looking to satisfy their own feelings and urges about sex.

If you feel pressure to have sex because you're afraid of losing your boyfriend, it may be a sign that you're not in the right relationship.

Sex isn't something you should feel you must do. Relationships are meant to be fun for bothpeople. They should make you feel appreciated, respected, and supported, not pressured or uncomfortable. If your boyfriend truly cares about you, he won't pressure you to do something you don't believe in or aren't ready for. So talk with your boyfriend about how you feel. If he's the right guy for you, he'll understand.

How to Be a Healthy Teen Girl

Common tips for health will last a lifetime and help boost confidence. Here are some tips for teenagers who want to start and stay healthy.

Steps

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   Start off right with drinking more water. Keeping your body hydrated with several glasses of water a day will help regulate metabolism and purify your body. A good rule of thumb is to take your weight and divide in half to find out how much water you should be drinking daily. i.e. If you weigh 100 pounds, you need to drink half that weight in ounces (50 ounces) of water every day. This will also help you to urinate, which helps you lose weight and flush your digestive system of any foreign substances. Plus,it can boost your immune system.
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   Maintain a regular sleep pattern. The average teen needs at least 8 hours of sleep a night. Getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep is a major factor contributing to how healthy you are. Getting enough sleep raises your alertness during the day, and minimizes anxiety.
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   Eat breakfast every day. Breakfast is the most important meal, because it provides your body with its first fuel of the day. Good breakfast foods include fruit, eggs, milk, cream of wheat, oatmeal, or toast. Starting with a good breakfast will also keep you concentrated during the day, and you will have fewer cravings.
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   Avoid junk food. This isn't limited to just the foods served at fast food restaurants, all foods with limited to no nutritional value qualifies as junk food. Think of it as littering your body; your body can't do anything productive with junk food. Stick to healthy foods that are high in protein, vitamins and minerals such as unsalted nuts, dried fruit and small salads. your body will be able to use these things much better than junk food.
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   Replace unhealthy foods with healthy foods. You can replace white bread with wheat bread (also known as brown bread or wholegrain). Think about swapping crisps/potato chips to nuts or crackers, and sweets for berries/dried fruits/bananas.
6. 
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   Eat meals slowly, and stop eating when you are full. This is the most basic principle of good eating habits, yet many people feel they must finish what is on their plate. Hunger is your body's way of letting you know that it needs fuel. Fullness, or satiety, is your body's way of letting you know it doesn't need any more food. If you stop eating when you are full, you will get hungry every couple of hours, which is a good thing, this means your body is using what you give it.
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   Snack healthfully. Eat a piece of fruit, a handful of nuts, some celery, or a piece of cheese. Anything healthy as a snack will help maintain your energy level throughout the day. Choosing anything low-fat, low-sugar, or low-sodium isn't always better than anything full-fat, full-sugar, or full-sodium. Nuts and seeds have a lot of healthy fats, the unsaturated fats. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are extremely healthy for teenage girls, and also help to prevent blood sugar spikes.
8. 
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   Exercise at least three to five times per week. Each time you should be exercising enough to work up a sweat for at least twenty to thirty minutes (preferably up to an hour). But don't limit your physical activity to your work outs at the gym: by walking/biking more places you'll get more sunlight, which boosts your mood, and you'll also get some less strenuous physical activity. Go for a run, a bike ride, or a challenging hike. If you don't like to exercise on your own, join a fitness club, find a buddy to work out with,(dogs are great ones!) or join a sports team. Keeping active will make you stronger physically and mentally. If you don't wish to work that hard, its recommended to walk at least 5 times a week and fast enough that if you sing you become a little breathless.
9. 
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   Stick to a hygiene regimen. Wash your face in the morning and at night before you go to bed to keep your skin healthy and clean. Brush your teeth two to three times a day (after you wake, after meals, before bed) for a clean and fresh mouth. Taking care of your appearance will also make you feel better about yourself, which really is the most important thing. You should always wash your face after some times so that your face looks Fresh.
10. 
    10
    Keep good posture. Don't slump during class or at work! Hold yourself straight. There are many exercises that can help. If you have a laptop, work at a desk or with your back propped up.
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    11
    Make sure that you believe in yourself. This will help self esteem and stick with whatever you put your mind to. another great idea is to have someone to motivate you or you can do it with a friend! Always Be Confident you may fail many times and you can be encouraged by your owns but never discourage yourself or you will regret.

Boys’ health costs higher than girls – until age 14

Girls may be easier to raise than boys, but starting at age 14, their health-care costs are higher, a new study finds .

In an analysis of over 5.4 billion health insurance claims from 2009 to 2012, the Health Care Cost Institute, a nonprofit research group, found that before age 14, health-care spending was higher for boys than for girls. For boys of all ages, prescription-drug spending was higher than for girls. And out-of-pocket spending was also higher for boys ages 0 to 18: $440 per boy in 2012 and $414 per girl — a 6% gap.

Boys also had more days on brand-name prescription drugs in 2012 (64 for boys ages 4 to 8 and 83 for boys ages 9 to 13) than girls (46 for a young girl, and 56 for a preteen), the study found. The most commonly used prescription drugs for younger boys and preteens were those associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, while drugs prescribed to younger girls were mostly those used to treat infections.

But while boys cost more in health care overall during the first 18 years, girls cost more from age 14 to 18, the study concluded. Health-care costs in 2012 were 4% higher for teen girls ($2,668) than for teen boys ($2,568), partly due to the use of hormones and synthetic substitutes, which also includes birth control pills, the authors found.

But there may be another reason: Teen girls are twice as likely to experience depression and anxiety as boys, according to a new study published by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in Australia and published in the scientific journal “ The Lancet .” Some 54% of teen girls suffered an episode of depression or anxiety during their teens, versus 29% of boys, it found.

“At puberty, we start seeing increasing numbers of children with symptoms of depression and anxiety,” says William Gardner, professor of pediatrics at Ohio State University. “There are more girls among these patients.” One theory, according to 2013 research at Newcastle University in the U.K. and published in the medical journal Cerebral Cortex: Girls mature faster than boys.

Indeed, the use of mental-health and substance-use services among girls rose from 9 admits per 1,000 teen girls in 2010 to 11 in 2012; for boys, it rose from 7 to 9 per 1,000, the HCCI study found. “Some of this can be attributed to anxiety and depression and, regrettably, use of heroin and other opiates among young people,” says Wendell Potter, a former vice president of corporate communications at health insurer Cigna.

What’s clear: The recession did little to slow down health-care spending on children. Spending covered by employer-sponsored insurance increased by about 5.5% a year between 2009 and 2012, the HCCI study found. Per capita spending on children of all ages hit $2,437 in 2012, up 17% from 2009. “The rising use of prescriptions among children is particularly notable,” says HCCI executive director David Newman.