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The word ""virgin"" means different things to diff

The word ""virgin"" means different things to different people. When we talk about sex, we define it as oral, anal, or vaginal sex. Because there is no medical definition for the term virgin, each person gets to decide what that means to them. Everyone is in charge of their own body and deserves respect whether they choose to have sex or choose not to have sex. Remember that oral sex cannot cause pregnancy, but it can spread STIs. Using condoms or dental dams can help reduce the risk of STIs during oral sex.

This can feel frustrating or hurtful, especially i

This can feel frustrating or hurtful, especially if someone is really excited about a new relationship. A healthy relationship includes respect, trust, honesty, equality, and COMMUNICATION. The only way to know for sure why your girlfriend isn’t telling her family about your relationship is to talk to her. It might not having anything to do with you or your relationship. She could have different boundaries than you or she might be afraid of her family’s reaction. Remember, for people who are in relationships with someone of the same gender, not everyone is out with their family, even if they are out at school. It’s not okay to pressure or guilt someone to come out before they’re ready.

💫 This post was made by a @faces4futurecoalitio

💫 This post was made by a @faces4futurecoalition intern. 💫

Hormonal birth control can cause a lot of different changes in the body. These are called side effects; some side effects may feel positive and others may feel negative. Everyone’s body is different, so each person’s experience of side effects is different. Sometimes weight gain is cause by water retention (bloating) in the first month after starting birth control. Often this goes away with time as the body gets used to the hormones. Some people experience an increased appetite due to the hormones in birth control. Hormones could also effect where the body stores fat and/or how the body builds muscle. This may not be weight gain like on a scale, but could certainly feel like it to a person if their body is looking and feeling different. Our bodies are constantly changing. It’s normal for a person to gain or loose weight throughout their life. If someone is worried about their weight or the side effects of birth control, it can help to talk to a trusted adult or a health care provider.

Great question! There are no age restrictions when

Great question! There are no age restrictions when it comes to buying condoms.

Condoms are a thin sheath of latex, polyurethane, or nitrile material that a person can place over a penis (external condom) or inside the vagina or anus (internal condom).

Condoms can be used to help prevent passing sexually transmitted infections or help prevent pregnancy.

They are available to buy in many places like grocery stores, pharmacies, health centers, public health offices, online, gas stations, and more! Sometimes, condoms are available for free in some places! To find a Planned Parenthood near you to get condoms, visit texticyc.com!

#icyc #incaseyourecurious #condoms #condom #freecondoms

There is not one age that is right for everyone! P

There is not one age that is right for everyone! People choose to become parents at different times in their lives for many different reasons and some people choose not to become parents.

All parents deserve support, it can be a lot of work to raise kids! So when deciding when and if to become a parent, it can be helpful to talk with trusted people in your life for support.

Some things a person may think about when deciding to become a parent are; are they financially able to support themselves and their child, are they emotionally able to support themselves and a child, do they have anyone in their life who can help them if they need support, and much more!

Even though it is a personal decision, talking with a trusted adult is always a good idea when making big decisions like when the right time to parent is!

#incaseyourecurious #icyc #noteenshame #parentsupport

💋 This post was designed by a @faces.albuquerqu

💋 This post was designed by a @faces.albuquerque intern 💋

This is a question that sex educators can struggle with, because of the long history of fear based education around sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The simple answer is yes, oral herpes or cold sores can pass through kissing. We learned all too well in the past year, there are lots of different ways infections can pass or transmit from person to person. When it comes to STIs, they’re typically transmitted through specific body fluid or skin to skin touching of an infected area. The body fluids that STIs can past through are vaginal fluid, semen, pre-cum, anal fluid, blood, and breast milk. Spit is not a fluid STIs transmit through. There are two herpes viruses, HSV-1 (oral herpes) and HSV-2 (genital herpes). Both types are transmitted through skin to skin contact of an infected area. That area could be someone’s mouth or lips or on someone’s genitals. There is a lot of stigma and fear around both types of herpes. The truth is, it’s a very common and treatable virus. Around 90% of people are exposed to oral herpes by the time they’re 50.

❤️ This post was designed by a @faces.albuquer

❤️ This post was designed by a @faces.albuquerque intern ❤️

A person’s hormones naturally fluctuate during their menstrual cycle. The menstrual cycle can include the period, ovulation (releasing an egg), and all the time in between. For some people hormones can cause mood swings or crankiness during their period. Many people experience mood swings before their period as well, or other symptoms from PMS (premenstrual syndrome). Or they might be cranky after their period, everyone’s body is different! All people can experience crankiness or mood swings, especially during puberty, due to hormonal changes. Even though mood swings are natural, it’s not okay to make assumptions about why someone might be cranky or upset. It can be insulting and make a person feel like they’re not being taken seriously.

🌼This post was designed by a @faces.albuquerque

🌼This post was designed by a @faces.albuquerque intern🌼

“Slut” is a slang word often used to put someone down for their sexual activity or perceived sexual activity, how they look or dress, or who they spend time with. There isn’t a specific number times or different people that someone has to have sex with to be called a “slut.” It’s not ok to make fun of someone about the sex they are or aren’t having. It’s no one else’s business! Sometimes people reclaim this word, so it’s not only used as an insult. Only you can decide how you want to label your sexual activity.

If someone is having sex it can help to get tested for STIs regularly, use birth control, condoms and/or dental dams, communicate with partners about boundaries, and talk to a trusted adult.

🧻 This post was designed by a @faces.albuquerqu

🧻 This post was designed by a @faces.albuquerque intern! 🧻

You can’t get an STI from a toilet seat. Sexually transmitted infections are passed through oral, vaginal, and anal sex or through skin-to-skin genital contact of an infected area. Typically only a person’s butt cheeks or thighs touch a toilet seat. Of course, if you see fluids on the rim you can wipe them off, use a toilet seat cover, or move along to the next stall. 💩

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