Ask Us Anything

Thanks for writing in! It can totally be frustrating to feel like your body doesn’t fit in. But, luckily for all of us, there is no “normal” – everybody is different! When it comes to bodies, there are lots of different shapes and sizes. And that’s all totally healthy and ok. As you grow, your body may change. Healthy weight actually can fluctuate over time.

What can be tough and complicated about self-image and self-confidence, is that you’re the only one that can do it. It takes a lot of time and practice at loving the skin you’re in – and it’s okay to struggle with that. Go to somewhere you feel comfortable, like a park or a coffee shop, and notice the people around you – everyone is different. Consider journaling about how you feel, and if it makes you feel better talk to a trusted adult or health care provider who can discuss this with you. Try following somebody positive folks on Instagram, you will absolutely find a vibrant community of support and folks who also feel this way – you are not alone!

All men get around 3-5 erections while they sleep. Science thinks that these erections actually contribute to penis health. There are a few theories behind why ‘morning wood’ happens such as a partner brushing against you in your sleep or shifting testosterone levels as you go through the sleep cycle.

The ideas that waking up with an erection are a sign that you’ve had a sexy dream or need to pee however, have pretty much been ruled out by science.

A good rule of thumb is if you’re ever in a place without a distinct set of walls and doors where you can be confident of your privacy, and other people are around that could notice, do not engage in any sexual behavior. It’s a sign of respect to yourself, your partner, and those around you to be mindful of your surroundings when engaging in sexual activity.

Thanks for writing in! It can totally be frustrating to feel like your  body doesn’t fit in. But, luckily for all of us, there is no “normal” – everybody is different! When it comes to labia, there are lots of different shapes and sizes. And that’s all totally healthy and ok. Keep in mind the media, as they do with most other parts of the body, portrays a single image that doesn’t look like most real people. Consider following some body positive Instagram accounts, like The Vulva Gallery, surrounding yourself with people that promote self-love and inclusion can help combat these feelings. One of the hardest parts of about finding a way to having more self-confidence is that you’re the only one that can get yourself there – don’t put pressure on yourself to achieve this goal, recognize that it’s okay to fall on the spectrum of self-love, but don’t engage with people or content that makes you feel badly about yourself. You’ve got this. Loving the skin you’re in isn’t easy and we can promise you no one is 100% confident- all you can do is try. <3

This sounds like a tough sitution, but you know what – you didn’t do anything wrong! Self-pleasure is okay and normal, not to mention a lot of fun! It looks like you were respecting that there is a time and a place to masturbate, you absolutely can’t help it that you didn’t know they could hear you. Be kind to yourself, and try to show yourself some forgiveness – you didn’t know and it’s not your fault. Consider speaking with your family, perhaps one on one or together – whichever you prefer, and do not apologize for what you did, but you can apologize for causing discomfort. Going forward, maybe play some music, turn on a tv show, lock the door, or wait unitl you’re home alone.

We get the discomfort your family’s feelings caused you, and it probably seems signficant, but we are here to tell you it gets better and once you’re older this will seem like nothing. If it gets to the point where it feels like more than you can bear for this or any issue, you can talk to someone at any time for FREE at the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255.

This sounds like a sticky spot to be in – we’ve all been there, we all mess up and have to own up to our mistakes. You’re not alone. One of the major keys in any confrontation is communication. It sounds like you did the right thing by apologizing to both your dad and your friend’s mom. Unfortunately, you can’t undo your actions or take back the consequences, but remaining calm and level headed while talking to these adults, explaining your actions (without making excuses,) and showing that you’ve learned from the experience will go a long way in rebuilding trust in these relationships. Don’t forget to be kind to yourself throughout this process!

Loving the skin you’re in isn’t easy. We all fall somewhere on the spectrum of self-love everyday and that is okay. Reach out to support structures, like your family and friends, if you are feeling insecure about your body. Consider talking to a trusted adult or a health care provider who can give you an unbiased opinion and tell you if your weight is healthy. Try following some body positive folks on Instagram, you will absolutely find a vibrant community of support and folks who also feel this way – you are not alone!

Loving the skin you’re in isn’t easy. We all fall somewhere on the spectrum of self-love everyday and that is okay. Reach out to support structures, like your family and friends, if you are feeling insecure about your body. Consider talking to a trusted adult or a health care provider who can give you an unbiased opinion and tell you if your weight is healthy. Try following some body positive folks on Instagram, you will absolutely find a vibrant community of support and folks who also feel this way – you are not alone!

Thanks for your question, but since we cannot offer specific medical advice on the internet, we recommend that you talk to your health care provider. If you need help finding a health care provider or someone to talk to, you can check out our clinic finder! 

What can be tough and complicated about self-image and self-confidence, is that you’re the only one that can do it. It takes a lot of time and practice at loving the skin you’re in – and it’s okay to struggle with that. Go to somewhere you feel comfortable, like a park or a coffee shop, and notice the people around you – everyone is different. Consider journaling about how you feel, and if it makes you feel better talk to a trusted adult or health care provider who can discuss this with you. Try following some body positive folks on Instagram, you will absolutely find a vibrant community of support and folks who also feel this way – you are not alone!

There are a few important things here. First, let’s address the issue of personal privacy. It is never okay to go through someone’s phone, or any other personal property, even if you feel like there is a good reason to do so. If you are concerned for a friend or partner’s personal safety – seek the advice or help of a trusted adult.

It’s sometimes easy to jump to conclusions, thinking things through and removing personal feelings can be tricky and it takes a lot of work to do this at times. Next, try not to jump to conclusions that are supported by stereotypes. There could be any number of reasons that your boyfriend was taking these photos. We hear your concerns, but see a opportunity for you two to discuss trust here. Consider asking yourself the tough questions that only you can answer- what initially prompted you to look through your boyfriend’s phone? When you’re looking for trouble in a relationship, you’re almost always going to find it.

Think about it this way, if your boyfriend, a friend, or even your parents went through your phone, what would they find? They might come across something you deleted or thought was innocent that they may find problematic. Or, if you hand five different people the same photo, they might all see something different depending on what they are looking for. We hope that makes sense.