Real Talk: Fall 2018

Sex refers to the biological factors that determine whether you physically develop as a male or female. Gender identity is your own interpretation of whether you are male or female or something in between. Gender expression is your way of displaying your gender identity to the world. For example, you could be born with two X chromosomes leading to sexual development as a female. You may strongly identify as a girl, expressing this through typically female clothing and grooming choices. You may also be more of a “tomboy,” yet you still know in your heart that you are a girl. You may feel that, although you were born with a female body, you are actually a boy, and you can change the way you look on the outside to better match how you feel inside. While some of these gender identities are more common than others, they are all normal and healthy.
Lauren Knapp, M.D.

Each person should decide on their own when the time is right for them to first have sex. Sex can feel good and be a part of a healthy relationship. Sex comes with a lot of responsibilities: being vulnerable with another person, preventing sexually transmitted diseases, and preventing pregnancy if it’s not the time for you. Be honest with yourself and your partner about how you feel about sex and any concerns you have. Remember, there are many ways of being physically close that don’t involve sex. You should only do things that you are comfortable with. If you feel uncomfortable, unsafe, threatened, or forced into doing something, tell the other person to stop and let them know how you feel. It’s not about being a certain age to first have sex, it’s about being emotionally and physically ready, with the right person, at the right time in your life.
Anna Kuan-Celarier, M.D.

A urinary tract infection (UTI) happens when bacteria from the anus or vagina spread up into the urethra (where you pee from). Unfortunately, UTIs are very common in women because our anatomy is close together. On the bright side, most UTIs can be easily treated with antibiotics from your doctor. If you experience burning, notice a bad smell, or see blood in the toilet when you pee, your doctor can test your urine to look for a UTI. Do your best to prevent UTIs by drinking lots of water, always wiping from the front to the back, and wearing cotton underwear. Also, never hold it; go to the bathroom right when you need to. Sometimes you can get a UTI even if you do all the right things. That’s okay. Just be sure to get checked out and take all the antibiotics the doctor gives you as prescribed, even if you feel better.
Morgan Whalon, M.D

No, this is not true because sperm starts traveling through the female reproductive system once semen enters the vagina. The only absolute way to prevent pregnancy is to abstain from intercourse. There are forms of contraception that reduce the likelihood of getting pregnant, some of which can be very effective, but showering or taking a bath is not going to reduce your likelihood of getting pregnant. Contraceptive methods work by providing a barrier that blocks the sperm from entering the vagina or uterus (like condoms or diaphragms, respectively) or by preventing the release of an egg from the ovary (like birth control pills or the patch).
Jamaan Kenner, M.D

Short answer, no! Women can get pregnant between puberty and menopause. Puberty starts around age 10 – 14, when a girl forms breasts and pubic hair, starts to ovulate (ovaries release an egg), and her uterus (womb) makes a fluffy lining to support pregnancy. When a sperm doesn’t fertilize that egg (during sex), a pregnancy doesn’t occur and the fluffy lining is shed. That’s what we see as a monthly period. Menopause is when a woman stops ovulating and having her period, around age 50. Menopause means that a woman can’t have kids anymore, but if she has kids already, she can help take care of grandkids! Fun fact: women are born with all of their eggs waiting to be released monthly starting in puberty. Men, however, begin to produce sperm when they start puberty. After that, men make sperm for the rest of their lives and can keep having kids.
Ralitza Peneva, M.D