Put a ring on it….huh? A little something about the vaginal ring!

Hey Shawna,

I was wondering what is a vaginal ring?  Is it like the birth control shot or birth control pill?

-Anonymous

Hi!

Ohhh,  I love birth control questions!

The vaginal ring is a type of birth control.  Although it prevents pregnancy like the birth control shot and birth control pill,  it is used differently.

The vaginal ring (brand name: NuvaRing) is a ring that is inserted into the vagina (using your fingers) and sits right around the cervix (the opening to the uterus).  It is worn for 3 weeks and taken out (again, using your fingers) for 1 week (the week it is out is the week you would have your period – which may not last the entire 7 days).  After the week it is left out,  a new one is put in.

You shouldn’t be able to feel the vaginal ring once it is inserted.  If it can be felt it means it probably has not been inserted far enough.  Some women keep the vaginal ring in during sex (which is totally okay) and some women prefer to take it out (also totally okay).  However, it must be put back in within 3 hours!  If it is left out longer than 3 hours,  a backup method (like condoms) should be used for a week.
Many people ask how does a little plastic ring prevent pregnancy.  Well, the vaginal ring releases a small amount of hormones that tells the ovaries not to release an egg (it is called ovulation when the ovary releases an egg).  No egg = nothing to be fertilized = no pregnancy!

It is important to keep in mind that the vaginal ring does not protect against STD’s or HIV.  Other than not having any kind of sex at all,  condoms are the best way to protect yourself against STD’s and HIV.

You can also check out Bedsider for more information!

In happiness & health,

-Shawna

Reviewed by Grace Shih, MD

Thanks to NuvaRing for this awesome photo!

Discharge….what is it?

Hi Shawna,

I was in class and I thought I had started my first period but I when I went to the bathroom and all I saw was white stuff.  What is it and how do I deal with it?

-Anonymous

Well Hello There!

Ohhh I love good questions!  This is a very common one so thanks for asking!

It’s hard to tell exactly what is causing the discharge (fluid that comes from the vagina) without an exam by a health care provider. But, here are some things that could be going on. Sometimes discharge is perfectly normal and sometimes it’s not.

Normal:  Women & girls produce a daily discharge that can change daily depending on her hormone levels. Clearish/white discharge is usually normal.  If it bothers you, you can wear a panty liner which is a very thin pad.

Not Normal:  Discharge that looks like cottage cheese,  causes itching,  is yellow or green,  has any kind of bad smell,  or anything else that isn’t normal for you.  These kinds of discharge are usually a sign of some sort of infection,  even if you aren’t having sex. Get it checked out.

Check out an awesome website called Scartleteen.  The attached article can help explain discharge a bit more and has lots of other useful information about teen health stuff.  Check it out and let me know if it helps answer your question!

In happiness & health,

-Shawna

Reviewed by Grace Shih, MD

Am I Ready for Sex???

Dear Shawna,

Me and my boyfriend are both 13 and we have been together for a long time – since 6th grade!  We are ready and want to be sexually active.  We plan to have safe and very protected sex but I wanted to ask you if this is a good decision.  I don’t know what to do.  We love each other a lot and we both want to be sexually active.  Any advice?

-Anonymous

Hi!

Thanks for the question!  I love questions!

Deciding to become sexually active can be very difficult!  It is a very personal decision – meaning only YOU know if you are really ready.  Sex can be a wonderful thing between two people who love and respect each other.  But if you aren’t ready,  it can also be a not so good experience.

First,  I encourage you to talk to a trusted adult if possible – like a parent or older sibling.  It sounds like you have already been talking to your boyfriend about sex and that’s awesome.  Starting the conversation is usually the hardest part for most people!  I  encourage you to continuing talking to your boyfriend. Talk about what you think it means to be ready (which is different for everyone),  talk about how things may change afterward, talk about how you want to protect yourself (condoms, hormonal birth control or both),  and talk about what you would do if things didn’t happen they way you planned.

I know that conversation can be tough but it sounds like  you are headed in the right direction!

In happiness & health,

-Shawna

Reviewed by Grace Shih, MD

Birthday Present

Hi Shawna,

You were recently at my school so this is how I got your email.  I have a situation:  It is almost my boyfriend’s birthday and I wanted to give him a present:  a BJ.   If he doesn’t wear a condom when I do it,  will I get an STD or anything?  I’m pretty sure he has never been “sexually active” with anybody else;  but I’m just a little worried.  Thank you and please reply soon!

-Anonymous

Hi,

Thanks for the question – it’s a good one!

I have to give you props for checking in about health stuff BEFORE actually doing anything.  So first let me clarify a few terms.  A ‘BJ’,  otherwise known as a blowjob,  is a term for giving a male bodied person oral sex (mouth to penis).  Oral sex is simply a term for mouth to genitals (penis or vagina).

Okay,  it is possible to get an STD (sexually transmitted disease or infection) from oral sex – both giving and getting.  To get an STD from giving oral sex – the person who is getting oral has to already have an STD in their genitals (penis or vagina).  To get an STD from getting oral sex – the person who is giving has to already have an STD in their mouth.  It’s also important to note that a very common disease that’s passed orally is not necessary always an STD but can become one:  herpes.  I know this can be a little confusing but I will try to explain.

Herpes is an infection that can affect both the mouth and genitals.  It can be spread mouth to mouth,  genital to genital,  or mouth to genital by skin to skin contact (unlike chlamydia or gonorrhea which are transmitted in fluids).  Herpes are blister like sores that may come and go throughout ones lifetime.  Many people who have oral herpes have had it since before they were sexually active,  usually getting it as a kid from someone in their family through a kiss for example.  Once someone has it on their mouth,  they can pass it to someones genitals through oral sex.  It is most contagious (easy to spread) when the sores are present.  So don’t engage in any kind of skin to skin contact if you or your partner have any kind of bumps or sores present (meaning, no kissing or genital contact, other stuff like holding hands and stuff won’t transmit the infection – only contact with the affected area).  I am hoping this is all making sense (feel free to email me back if you are still confused or have more questions).

Because herpes is transmitted skin to skin (so is HPV), condoms aren’t always 100% effective in preventing the spread of these infections because they don’t cover the entire genital area.  However, condoms do  greatly lower the chance of spreading these infections and PREVENT a lot of other types of infections.

If neither one of you has been sexually active (that means oral, vaginal, or anal/butt) with anybody else – then it’s not likely either of you have an STD  (but remember, oral herpes is not necessarily an STD but can become one.  It’s a good idea to talk to your partner about this).  But if neither of you have an STD or oral herpes,  then you can’t get or give it to one another.

You said you are ‘pretty sure’ he hasn’t been sexually active with anybody else – how do you know that?  Have you talked to him about sex and stuff?  Do you feel comfortable talking to him about stuff like that?  I ask because if you aren’t feeling comfortable talking about sex then maybe you want to reconsider your gift idea.  I also encourage y’all to come into the clinic together – you can talk to one of our counselors (which sometimes helps couples talk about sex).  The counselors can talk you about all this stuff and then some.  I say all this because when it comes to sex – it’s important to enjoy it as much as your partner.  I wouldn’t want you to do anything just for him – you know what I mean?  Anyway,  I hope this answered your question.  Please feel free to write back.

In happiness & health,

-Shawna

Please see the disclaimer in the ‘About’ section : )

Reviewed by Grace Shih, MD