A lot of Testosterone

I hadn’t had a period since the beginning of November when I went in to my local clinic to get checked out. After evaluating my symptoms and doing a lot of blood work, my nurse practitioner diagnosed me with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is a common condition that is prevalent in many different kinds of people. Although symptoms of PCOS vary from person to person, it is a hormonal imbalance that means that a person has a lot of androgens (“male hormones” including testosterone) in their body. Read more here.

January is Cervical Cancer Screening Month!

In the past few years, the human papillomavirus (HPV) has been a big topic of discussion among health care professionals, peer health educators, and the general public. HPV is the name of a group of viruses that include over 100 different types or strains, many of which are sexually transmitted, including genital warts. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 20,000,000 people are infected with this STI and a whopping 6.2 million Americans get a new HPV infection each year. Read more here.

Using Plastic…and I Don’t Mean Credit Cards
By Julie

Same-sex, safer sex

Many women in relationships with women neglect the fact that they, too, can and should make their sex safer. Not only do women in relationships with women need to worry about passing STIs such as HPV and HIV during intercourse, they also need to think about passing bacteria that can cause yeast infections, urinary tract infections and other forms of bacterial vaginosis.

One key component of practicing safer sex is knowing your body inside and out. You need to be able to recognize the difference between your healthy body and something else. You know to protect your breast health by doing self-exams. Did you know you can also examine your vulva and vagina? You can give yourself a self-gynecological exam in your own home. It’s easier than you think! Read more here.

Burning Questions

Peer HIV Education Strategies for Youth

Most people I’ve met in their late 20s or 30s possess a great deal of knowledge about HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Moreover, even if they don’t know that much about the subject, they were afforded many opportunities to learn, and at a minimum, have developed an understanding of how the virus is and is not spread. Most importantly, many people in that age group probably know at least one person who has died of complications of AIDS, and in some cases, many people. Read more here.

GLBTQ Youth and Mental Health

You often suffer, not because you are GLBTQ, but due to societal homophobia and discrimination; and because as adults we are not fulfilling our responsibilities—ensuring that every youth, of every race, religion, gender, and sexual orientation, grows up in a safe environment, a healthy environment, an environment that nurtures and supports your passions, hopes and dreams. Learn more here.

Balancing Acts: A Holistic View of Staying Healthy

It can be hard growing up gay. No matter who you are, what your age, or where you live, this balance between school, work, friendships, and love can get stressful at times. Holistic practices - such as meditation and yoga - can offer improved physical and mental well-being. Learn more here.

What to Expect When...

Whether it’s your first Pap test or testicular exam, or the first time you get tested for HIV or a sexually transmitted infection (STI), going for sexual health care can be a scary thing to think about; knowing what to expect can help! This in-depth guide can make the whole process a lot less intimidating.

Lighting Up : GLBTQ Youth and Smoking

Smoking is bad for me. I know it. You know it. We all do. But quitting is still one of the most difficult things I have ever done. This isn’t another “smoking is terrible!” lecture. Queer teens are at a much higher risk of smoking than our straight peers. And did you realize that tobacco companies specifically target queer youth in order to increase their profit margins. It's time to find out what's really going on.

Safety First Last: The War on Condoms

Many high school health classes do not talk about condoms, let alone teach students how to use them effectively.

Isn't it time we dealt with reality and start giving teens all the information they need to make safe, healthy choices about their own sexual health? Learn more here!

'Lesbians Don't Need Birth Control'

Health care professionals often assume, incorrectly, that lesbians do not need information about pregnancy prevention or STI testing and treatment. They also assume, also incorrectly, that heterosexual youth never have same-sex partners.

In fact, lesbian teens are twice as likely as their heterosexual peers to experience unwanted pregnancy. Contrary to popular belief, self-identifying as lesbian or gay does not mean that someone will never have sex with a member of the other sex. Young lesbians are in the unusual position of often needing to educate their doctors about their reproductive health needs. Read more here.

Donating Blood

Every two seconds, someone in the United States is in need of donated blood. About 4 million Americans receive blood each year. Donating blood is a simple, relatively painless procedure that requires a small time commitment. If you can donate blood, you'll be able to help people you don't even know. Find out how.

Self Injury

Do you intentionally try to harm yourself? Do you cause this harm to yourself as a way of dealing with unpleasant or overwhelming emotions, obsessive thoughts or disassociation? Do you think about harming yourself even when you are relatively calm and are not doing it at that moment? Do you find yourself doing these things, if so, you are not alone.

Help is available.

Substance Abuse

Beginning in early adolescence, some of us start experimenting with alcohol and drug use. There's a number of reasons for experimenting: because it's the "cool thing" to do; to make us feel less tense, just to see what the big deal is; or in some cases, to help ourselves deal with other issues that seem too overwhelming in our lives. This section deals with the complex issues surrounding substance use and abuse.

Depression

Everyone has felt down or blue sometime in their life. We all go through rough times, but sometimes feeling sad is more than just a temporary mood change. This feature shares poems, and stories of young people going through depression, and discusses how to deal with depression.

Body Image

Everyone goes through periods of time when they are uncomfortable with what they look like. Here's how to have a healthy body image. Also includes information on eating disorders.