Great question! Yeast infections actually aren’t related to birth control pills at all. Yeast is a natural part of the vaginal flora, existing in balance with different types of bacteria. Sometimes yeast can overgrow—this is what we call a yeast infection. Yeast overgrowth can occur for many reasons, including illness, recent antibiotic use, poor vaginal hygiene, and eating too much sugar. Symptoms of a yeast infection can include itching, burning, bleeding after intercourse, and an increase in white, clumpy discharge.
If you are having repeat yeast infections, it’s a good idea to see a medical provider. The nurse can help troubleshoot the reoccurring infection. She can also make sure you don’t actually have a different (but similar) infection, like bacterial vaginitis or an STI. Thanks for being so aware of your body!
…Almost every time he ejaculates inside of me, sometimes twice. Could I get pregnant from this? Does this increase my chances of getting pregnant?
First of all, good work—it’s great that you’ve chosen a birth control method and are sticking with it! Depo is more than 99% effective when you receive your shot on time.
It’s good to realize that no hormonal birth control is 100% effective. Even the most effective methods on the market—like IUDs and Implanon—prevent pregnancy only 99.9% of the time. In very rare cases, someone becomes pregnant even though they are using a method correctly. Teen Clinic recommends using condoms 100% as a backup and to prevent STI transmission.
So the answer is yes—allowing a partner to ejaculate inside you does increase the risk of pregnancy (although the risk will be low if you’ve received your Depo shot on time). But more importantly, allowing a partner to ejaculate inside you increases your risk for STIs! Talk to your partner about their past sexual history and whether or not they’ve gotten tested, and consider going to get tested together. (It’s free at Teen Clinic!) Remember, it’s your health! Even though we all want to trust our partners, using condoms is a great way to keep the risks of sexual activity as low as possible.
If you have more questions, consider talking to your practitioner at your next Depo appointment. Our nurses are non-judmental and here to support you! And thanks for asking this important question!
It’s really smart! Getting tested regularly is a great way to make sure you’re still healthy. Many STIs can be asymptomatic; it’s better to know for sure! When you call Teen Clinic for an appointment, let them know you’d like an exam. While we can test for some STIs through a urine sample (chlamydia and gonorrhea) and some through a blood test (syphilis and HIV), others may require a sample from the vagina or penis, or a visual examination. (For a full break-down of what we can test for and what we can’t, check out this question.)
To make an appointment, give us a call the day before you’d like to come in. We only test for HIV once a month at each location, so you might want to coordinate with these dates. (HIV testing is available on the 3rd Wednesday of the month in Longmont and the first Tuesday of the month in Boulder.)
Thanks for making a healthy choice!
…Yellow or brown discharge comes out and it itches. What do I have? I don’t use a condom.
Thanks for writing in—it’s responsible to be aware of what’s going on in your body!
It sounds like you are experiencing the symptoms of an infection. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to tell exactly what’s going on without seeing a doctor. Make an appointment at Teen Clinic as soon as possible to make sure you’re healthy. We also suggest abstaining from sex until you know for sure, since some infections can be sexually transmitted. Give us a call to schedule your appointment, and consider using condoms 100% in the future to keep yourself safe and healthy!
Great question! Make an appointment to visit your doctor as soon as possible. If you are experiencing symptoms (like sores, bumps, itching, burning, or a change in discharge) be sure to tell the person on the phone. This will help the office set aside enough time to see you.
In the meantime, it’s a good idea to abstain from sex until you know for sure. Get plenty of sleep, drink lots of water, and eat a balanced diet. Help your body stay as healthy as possible! And try not to worry. Seeing a doctor is a great way to find out for sure. You’ll have the chance to ask lots of questions and get any treatment you need.
To make an appointment at Teen Clinic, give us a call the day before you’d like to come in. All services are free to those under 20.
… I’m really scared!!
First of all—good for you! It’s great that you made the healthy decision to use a condom, and it’s important to be aware of your body, too!
Vaginal itching can occur for all sorts of reasons. Some females may experience yeast or bacterial vaginitis infections after intercourse; others may experience a reaction to spermicides or lubricants. Itching can also be a symptom of some sexually transmitted infections.
The most important thing is to see a healthcare provider if the itching continues. Teen Clinic offers free, confidential infection checks if you’re under 20. Just give us a call to schedule for the next possible day.
It’s possible. The skin in the genital area is very sensitive, and may become tender from overuse. However, make an appointment at Teen Clinic if you are still experiencing symptoms in a week. Unprotected sex can allow the transmission of STIs, including skin infections like herpes, HPV, and pubic lice, so it’s important to make sure you’re healthy.
Unprotected sex also carries a risk of pregnancy. No hormonal birth control method is 100% effective; use condoms consistently, correctly, and all the time! You can get unlimited condoms for free at Teen Clinic; just walk in anytime we’re open!
It’s highly unlikely. In order to get an infection, a person has to have sexual contact with someone who is already infected. If you haven’t come into contact with someone who has a sexually transmitted infection, you probably don’t have one!
There are a few exceptions to this rule. Some infections that we consider STIs can be spread non-sexually. Bloodborne diseases like HIV, Hepatitis B & C, and Syphilis are often transmitted through IV drug use. If someone has used needle drugs, it’s possible they have an STI, even if they haven’t been sexually active.
Pubic lice, also known as crabs, can also be transmitted non-sexually. Pubic lice can live for up to twenty-four hours outside the body in warm, dark, moist places like bathtowels, bed sheets, loofahs, or wet bathing suits. If a person shares these items with someone else, lice transmission is possible.
Does that mean it’s a good idea to have sex without a condom? No way. The only 100% effective method of preventing pregnancy is abstinence. Although hormonal methods can be more than 99% effective when used perfectly, it’s still a good idea to use a condom as a backup. Besides—although we always want to trust our partners, occasionally people do not share the truth about their sexual health history. Staying in the habit of using a condom is a great way to keep yourself safe every time.
Pain during intercourse is often a sign of infection. Bacterial vaginosis, overgrowth of yeast, and sexually transmitted infections can all irritate the tissues of the vaginal canal, causing burning or discomfort during sex. In some cases, these tissues may bleed after intercourse. See a healthcare provider soon to make sure you’re healthy. Remember, all services at Teen Clinic are free!
The vaginal canal can also become sore after poorly lubricated sexual activity. Keep plenty of water-based lubricant on hand, especially when you’re using a condom. Some females naturally self-lubricate quite a bit; others may not lubricate enough to avoid discomfort. Remember, reducing the friction during intercourse makes it less likely that vaginal tissues—and condoms!—will tear, lowering your risk for STIs. It’s important to use only water-based lubricants, since oil-based lubes can create holes in a condom. We keep free samples of lube in the waiting room at Teen Clinic; come grab some!
Lastly, make sure your partner knows when you’re experiencing pain during intercourse! Communicating with your partner is key to keeping sex safe and healthy. If you’re in pain—whether from a position, an infection, or poor lubrication—your partner should know that it’s time to stop.
Burning and swelling can be a sign of infection. The best way to find out what’s going on is to make an appointment at Teen Clinic. A healthcare provider can do an exam to identify or rule out infection. She will also give you tips on how to avoid irritation in the vaginal area. Give us a call soon to be sure you’re healthy!
