s.e. smith

A baby isn’t a bargaining chip. A baby is a very small, but very whole, person. Just like me, just like you. And a child deserves to be considered as a whole, actual person, not as an object to possibly get you what you want for yourself. What I hear you saying is that you are now feeling a very…

What are breasts made of? Is something wrong with me if my breasts aren’t sensitive? Can someone who isn’t pregnant lactate? Do I need a bra? Why aren’t my boobs bigger?

Freaking out because you think something must be wrong with your labia? Think again!

What is self-harm? How does it—and can it—fit into a loving relationship? Will I ever be comfortable with my scars?

We’re hoping these answers get you better filled in so you can feel good about yourselves, your penises and whatever you do (or don’t) do with them.

Breastfeeding can have a variety of impacts on one’s periods. Some people will start having periods again soon after birth (even if they are breastfeeding). Others may not start having periods again for 6 months or more. Some never have a period until they stop breastfeeding entirely. This is really…

It doesn’t make any sense to presume infertility until you have had fertility tests done. At least once a week or two, I sit in the clinic I also work at counseling someone for an abortion procedure who was told or had the idea that they were infertile, and who didn’t get tested to make sure that…

(Emily’s question continued) Anyway, I keep thinking about being pregnant, wanting a baby and hoping and hoping I get pregnant. I hate thinking this way, because we aren’t really ready for that yet, but I can’t stop. Is there really any reason I would have this motherly urge? We always have…

The answer to that question depends entirely on the parents in question. Parents are people and many have sexual desires just as do folks who don’t have children. Just like anybody else, folks who are parents may have more or less sex of any given type throughout their lives. In general, we do know…

Reprinted from S.E.X.: The All-You-Need-to-Know Progressive Sexuality Guide to Get You Through High School and College , © 2007 Heather Corinna/Marlowe & Company. Illustration by Molly Crabapple. Want to print out copies for yourself? Click here to download one in PDF format. Enjoy!