Real Talk: Summer 2018

Many women will have a small amount of discharge that can be normal. If you notice that you have a lot of discharge, that it smells bad, or that it is a different color, there may be a medical reason. Have you ever been to a gynecologist? This might be something you want to discuss with a doctor. Women can have different infections that need to be treated. The most common is a yeast infection. If you are sexually active you should be screened for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). You can try wearing a panty liner instead of using toilet paper; it might be more comfortable. Also, try changing your personal hygiene routine: take showers not baths; do not clean the inside of your vagina; and do not use any soaps or scents when cleaning the vagina.
Megan Savage, M.D.

So the answer is YES! Yay!! If you take a look at the picture showing the vagina, you will see that there’s more than just a vagina down below! Women actually have 3 holes. Starting from front to back: Urethra – where you pee! Vagina – where the tampon goes when you have your period (aka menstruation or cycle) Anus – where you poop! You also have the clitoris, which is directly above the urethra. The clitoris has lots of nerve-endings (nearly 8000!) and can be super sensitive (in a good way). Finally, there are the labia majora and labia minora, which are usually referred to as the outer and inner “lips” of the vagina. They are all shapes and sizes depending upon the individual and cover the opening of the vagina.
Cynthia Grady, M.D.

During puberty it is common to have questions like these regarding your sexual identity, desires, curiosities, and orientation. Thirteen is certainly old enough to know whether you identify as gay or bisexual. Some people know they are gay as children, others discover it when they are more mature adults. The wonderful news is that you have your whole life to figure these questions out, so don’t rush it. It is possible that this is a “phase” and that you are genuinely curious about other girls and find them attractive. You may find that you also have crushes on boys. All of this is normal and a part of growing into an adult with sexual preferences. My best advice would be to have patience with yourself and realize that your preferences and attractions may change over time. Feeling confused is a normal and very human reaction to these thoughts and feelings.
Andrew Suire, M.D.

There are plenty of movie plots that revolve around this very question. Yes, sexting has the potential to get you in trouble. If something is published on any form of social media, it is permanent. You can’t take back a text. And the wrong text can easily fall into the wrong hands if you are not careful. Sexting can be an exciting part of a nurturing mature relationship; just remember, if you do sext, do it with someone you trust, and know that if things ever hit the fan one day, they will still have those messages. Here are some of my favorite tips for practicing safe sexts. 1) Don’t sext and drive!!! 2) Don’t sext the ex… these dicey relationships have a huge potential for retaliation (for example, sharing texts with his friends or even posting on social media). 3) Don’t sext carelessly… can you imagine sexting a boy named Dan but accidentally sending to Dad!? Girl, bye.
Valerie Valero, M.D.

Neither boys nor girls need to shave or remove pubic hair; in fact, shaving may be a bad idea. Shaving can cause tiny cuts in the skin, which may allow bacteria to get inside and cause infections. These infections can cause skin problems like inflamed hair follicles and boils. Tiny cuts can also make it easier for sexually transmitted diseases like herpes or HIV to enter your body. If you absolutely must shave your pubic hair, make sure you use a clean, new razor every time and shave downwards in the direction of hair growth. Why do we have pubic hair? One theory is that it helps release pheromones, which are chemicals our bodies produce that get released into the air to attract potential mates. Another theory is that the hair is protective against small things like dirt or friction, which can injure the sensitive genital area.
Anna Kuan-Celarier, M.D.