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It’s possible you’re experiencing a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis (BV). These infections are not usually sexually transmitted, although they occur more often in sexually active people.  The great news? They’re both easily treated with a five-night vaginal gel.

Yeast infections occur when there is an overgrowth of the fungus Candida (yeast) in the vagina. Vaginas always contain some yeast; however, if the acidity of the vagina changes, too much yeast may grow.  A woman may experience itching, burning with urination, and a chunky white discharge that resembles cottage cheese.  Yeast infections are usually caused by changes in diet, hormonal imbalance, and antibiotics that disturb the bacterial balance of the vagina. In rare cases, males and females can give each other yeast infections. In males, this infection can be invisible, or it may look like a rash on the penis.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) occurs when the normal balance of bacteria in the vagina is upset, allowing too much of a certain bacteria to grow.  Symptoms include milky white, thin discharge, a “fishy” odor, and vaginal itching or irritation.  Some women experience BV after having a new sex partner or multiple sex partners. Others experience BV when they are emotionally upset or poorly rested.  Sometimes BV leads to cervicitis, an inflammation of the cervix that can cause vaginal bleeding.

The most important thing is to see a medical professional right away.  It’s healthy to figure out for sure if you are suffering from yeast, BV, or something else.  Call your regular doctor or make an appointment at Teen Clinic this week—there are still appointments open!

Sex: it’s a lot of things.

Sex can be meaningful. Sex can be hurtful. Sex can be rambunctious or solemn, sweet or rough.  It can even be funny.  A person’s experience of sex will change depending on who’s involved, what mood they’re in, and which sexual activities are occurring.

So yeah, sex can be embarrassing. But it doesn’t have to be.

Sometimes embarrassment occurs when one or both partners aren’t comfortable with his/her body, or when one partner initiates sexual activities the other isn’t interested in.  Sex can be embarrassing if a partner is unclear on how to be sexually active in particular ways, or if details of the relationship become public.  And worrying about pregnancy and STIs only increases this feeling of self-consciousness.

There are a lot of ways to avoid embarrassment during sex, however.  First, make sure you’re ready. Embarrassment can be a sign that you’re not ready to be sexually active, or that you’re not comfortable with a particular partner. Take a step back if you’re feeling any hesitation. A good partner will give you the time you need to be sure.

Second, love your body. Everyone’s body looks different, so try not to judge yours too harshly.  (Or your partner’s, for that matter!)

Third, keep communicating. It’s okay if certain activities or atmospheres don’t appeal to you—just make sure you let your partner know, respectfully. Ask your partner what he or she prefers.  Talking about your sexual histories may feel awkward, but it will alleviate any worries and build trust in the relationship. And consider talking to a trusted adult about your experiences. You might be surprised by the helpful perspectives they have to share.

Finally, a good dose of humor goes a long way. If something is making you feel awkward, your partner probably feels awkward too! Assess the situation to be sensitive, but don’t be afraid to laugh at your mistakes.  Your partner will probably appreciate your good nature.

We can’t control everything about our sexual experiences, but we can make healthy choices to cut down on embarrassment!  Choosing a birth control method ahead of time, knowing your STI status, choosing a trusted adult to talk to, and cultivating respectful relationships are keys to confident, healthy, and fun sexual experiences.  Need someone to talk to? Come in to Teen Clinic to meet with a nurse or counselor. To talk to someone your own age, you can friend Shape Ers on Facebook and send our peer educators a message. And don’t forget about our 24-hour text line when you need to double-check a fact or get a quick opinion! Just text “2tc,” then your question, to 36263. All your information will be kept confidential.

In Boulder, Teen Clinic is open Mondays (5-7), Tuesdays (4-7), and Saturdays (1-6).  Monday is for walk-in visits only.  Tuesday and Saturday we offer walk-in services as well as appointments.  (Not sure if you need an appointment?  Find out here.)

In Longmont, Teen Clinic is open Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, all from 2-6.  Tuesday is for walk-in visits only. Mondays and Wednesdays we offer walk-in services as well as appointments.

In the future, you can access this information by opening our homepage (www.teenclinic.org) and clicking make an appointment or contact us up at the very top of the page.  See you soon!

Absolutely! Teen Clinic patients can pick up their birth control during walk-in hours at no cost.

It’s good to know that we only prescribe birth control we keep in stock.  There are many different brands of “the pill,” and sometimes a new patient will find we don’t carry the oral contraceptive she’s taken in the past.   If she prefers to stay on her old pill, she may continue picking it up at a pharmacy.   If she wants to pick up her birth control for free at Teen Clinic, we will write her a new prescription for a similar pill that we carry!

(Amazed that we can offer birth control for free?  Consider donating to help keep us around.)

…Without her, what stuff do I need in order to get some at the Teen Clinic?

Nothing!  At Teen Clinic, you won’t need any special documents, records, or parental approval to start on a birth control method.  It’s actually your legal right to receive confidential reproductive healthcare, even as a teen!  Just walk in at our Longmont or Boulder locations, or call us to make an appointment the day before you’d like to come in.  And remember, all services at Teen Clinic are free.

What will happen once I’m there? When you get here, we’ll have you fill out some paperwork to get started. Then we’ll take you back to see a nurse, who will ask you about your family history and lifestyle to determine which method is best for you.  When you leave, you’ll have a three-month prescription for birth control and a better understanding of your body.  Our nurses can also help you brainstorm ways to talk about your birth control with your mom.

Taking care of your health can take courage and initiative–way to step up!

Nope!  Stimulation of the prostate for sexual pleasure has not been linked to disease.  Be sure to clean the stimulator after each use, and steer clear of sharing it with anyone else—some STIs can be transmitted through sex toy use.  See a urologist if you have more questions about your prostate.

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), the inside of the foreskin contains less keratin—a waxy coating that helps prevent infection—than other parts of the penis.  Because of this, it tears more easily during intercourse, providing an entry into the bloodstream for infections like HIV.  The foreskin also contains more of the cells HIV tends to target (Langerhans cells) and has been more easily infected by HIV than other parts of  the penis in laboratory studies.  Finally, there is evidence that the environment between the unretracted foreskin and the head of the penis allows viruses to survive longer, increasing the likelihood of transmission.

There is still debate among medical professionals as to the extent that circumcision should be used as a prevention method.  After all, plenty of circumcised men still get HIV!  Keep in mind that wearing a condom, talking to your partners, and getting tested will help protect you from HIV transmission whether you’re circumcised or not.

To learn more about the studies being done on circumcision and HIV, check out this fact sheet from the CDC.

The decision to wax your genitals—regardless of style—can be a safe and healthy personal choice. However, waxing does increase your risk for infection.   Removing the hair from your genitals exposes delicate tissue in the pubic area. With little or no hair to protect it, your pubic area is more susceptible to infections spread through skin-to-skin contact, including Herpes and HPV.

Little is known about the risks of waxing in a salon. Some sources suggest that transmission of STIs is possible if the wax applicator is re-used or improperly sterilized between patients. Women can also get non-sexual infections like folliculitis, an inflammation of the hair follicules, after waxing.  If you decide to wax your genitals, be sure to use as sterile an environment as possible.  Wash your genitals regularly, and do not pick at any bumps or boils that may form.  If you experience discomfort or are concerned about infection, come see a nurse at Teen Clinic.

…In other words, is there any way I can get it even though I won’t be able to come home for a couple months?

In order to receive your next year-long prescription for birth control, you’ll need to have an Annual Exam. During this visit, our nurse practitioners make sure your birth control method still fits with your health and lifestyle.  It’s also a great time to address any questions or issues you may have.

If you plan to come home at all this fall, give us a call. Sometimes nurses will give patients a 1-2 month extension on their birth control until they can come in. If you’re going to be out of town for three or four months, though, your best bet may be to visit a new clinic near your college.  Your new physician will be able to write you a prescription. If you prefer to get your care with us in the long term, you can always bring us the records from your visit.

It’s good to know that at Teen Clinic other people can always pick up your birth control for you, as long as you tell us first.

Whatever you do, make sure you don’t let your birth control run out! It’s important to use your method consistently, correctly, and all the time–especially at college, when your lifestyle can change rapidly.  Keep up the good work!

…Do I have to get a pap smear during the examination?

Nope!  As of this spring, pap tests are recommended only for women over the age of 21, and breast and pelvic exams are recommended for women over the age of 19.

So what’s the point of the Annual Exam, you ask?

At the Annual Exam, one of our nurse practitioners will assess your overall health.  She may talk to you about your diet, your birth control use, your menstruation patterns, your family history, your sexual history, or anything else you’re dealing with.  Some patients will have blood work or additional STI tests done at this time.  Others may choose to have a pelvic exam in preparation for an IUD insertion or because they are experiencing genital discomfort.  Overall, the nurse will make sure you have the information and resources you need to live a healthy, safe life.

After your annual exam, your birth control prescription will be good for a year. You won’t have to make an appointment at Teen Clinic for twelve months, unless you experience a problem.