Confidential, Safe and informative

Bodyzone provides confidential, reliable information and support on everything to do with physical, emotional, mental and sexual health.

Everything?

If this list is anything to go by, yes. Answers have been provided by Bodyzone workers. Questions were given anonymously.

Body Bits

How long is an average penis?
There's enormous variation in the size of non-erect penises, but the average size for an erect penis is 6".

Does your penis continue to grow as you do?
Yes, up to a point. During puberty your penis continues to grow larger and longer.

Is the penis a bone?
No, although it's sometimes called a "boner". Penises get hard because they fill up with blood.

Is it possible for a man to urinate inside a woman?
No, if you have an erection, you physically can't pee.

Does alcohol make men impotent?
Alcohol can cause temporary impotence, commonly called "brewer's droop".

After your first time having sex do you bleed right away?
Girls usually bleed a little during, or a little while after the first time they have sex, but it varies for different people.

What is smegma? Do girls get smegma?
Smegma is a creamy lubricant released under the foreskin so that it moves smothly over the head of the penis (glans). You should wash under your foreskin every day to keep everything clean, and avoid infections. Girls also produce smegma, around the clitoris, and should also wash daily. There's no need to wash inside the vagina, though - it's self-cleaning. Use mild soap and water.

What about when my period is on, should I wash?
Yes, wash daily, to keep clean and avoid infection, and change your pads or tampons regularly. If you leave a tampon in for a long time, you run the risk of a serious infection, which can cause a rare but very dangerous condition called Toxic Shock Syndrome. It's recommended that you change tanpons every 3-4 hours.

Contraception

When is a girl fertile?
If you count your monthly cycle from the first day of your period, a girl is most likely to be fertile between days 7-17. This doesn't mean that other days in the cycle are safe, though. It's very hard to predict when you will be fertile, and it can vary from month to month, even if you have a very regular cycle. You may still be fertile even during your period.

What is the most effective form of contraception?
The most effective contraception is saying no! But, if you are having sex, the contraceptive injection and the coil are effective, reliable forms of contraception. The contraceptive pill is also good, if taken properly, and using condoms is effective as long as you are careful and always take EHC if a condom breaks.

Where can you get condoms?
You can buy condoms from lots of places, including pharmacists like Boots or Superdrug, Tescos and other supermarkets, corner shops, garages and other places. You can get condoms from free from your local C&SH clinic, Bodyzones, corner shops, the Safety Card scheme and other services including Connexions and Youth Centres, alongside advice about sexual health and contraception.

How expensive are condoms?
Condoms can cost as much as £1 each, although it's usually more like 50-70p. But you can also get them free from your local C&SH clinic, Bodyzones, corner shops, the Safety Card scheme and other services including Connexions and Youth Centres, alongside advice about sexual health and contraception.

How effective are condoms?
Condoms are 85%-98% effective depending on how well you use them. You need to follow the instructions (condom instruction video) which come with the condom properly. Safety Card training can also help. If a condom breaks or comes off, you need to take emergency contraception as soon as possible

Is the pill 100% effective contraception?
If taken correctly according to instructions, it is nearly 100%. However, if you suffer a stomach upset or vomiting, are taking antibiotics, or forget to take one or more pills, it may not work. Remember, if in any doubt, you can always use a condom as well (also good for protecting yourself from STIs).

Do you need a prescription to get the pill or other contraceptives?
Your G.P. may or may not give you a prescription, but if you go to a Family Planning Clinic you will not usually need a prescription.

Does the pill give you any side effects? It varies from person to person, but some women report side effects for both the pill and other forms of hormonal contraception like implants, IUS and injection. Common side effects include spotting (bleeding between your periods), breast tenderness, feeling sick, queasy, bloated or lethargic. For things like feeling sick, altering the time of day you take your pill can help; many women find taking the pill last thing at night works well. Side effects should settle in a few months.

Can girls under 16 use the pill?
Yes

What is a permanent contraceptive?
There are no permenant, 100% effective, contraceptive methods. But there are several very effective long-term removable contraception choices, including injections, implants and IUDs and IUSs (coils). Find out more about contraception.

Sex and relationships

After your first time having sex do you bleed right away? It is normal to bleed lightly the first time you have sex, but some people don't bleed at all. If you often bleed after sex, you should get yourself checked by your GP or local C&SH clinic (find out more) as this can be a symptom of STIs or other problems.

Can boys make sex less painful for girls the first time?
If sex is rushed, or there's pressure to be sexual, it can be hard to feel relaxed. It's important to take time, be gentle and listen to what your partner wants. The vagina needs to relax and moisten, to allow the gentle entry of the penis. If the situation is comfortable, secure and happy, sex will be better.

Does sex hurt physically?
Sex can be painful, especially if you hurry or if one of you isn't ready to have sex. Some people find some positions painful. There are also some medical conditions which can mcause this, so if sex is always painful you should talk your GP or a Doctor at your local C&SH clinic.

Can you tell if your boyfriend is a virgin when you have sex?
No. You also can't tell if a woman is a virgin when you have sex. Some women don't bleed the first time, sometimes women bleed during sex when it's not their first time. It is a very good idea to talk about previous partners before you have sex, as if they've slept with other people, they might have caught an STI (protect yourself and your partner by using a condom).

Is it normal for my boyfriend to have sex with me when I'm asleep?
No, it's not. For sex to be good for both of you, you both need to be involved, awake and capable of making decisions.

Is sex less painful when you are drunk?
Sex between two consenting partners shouldn't be painful, unless something going wrong. If sex is rushed, forced or there's pressure to be sexual, it can be hard to feel relaxed. If you've done everything you can to make the situation work, both partners want sex, and you're still in pain, talk to your GP. Some conditions (e.g. STIs) can cause pain when you have sex.

Periods

Is it possible to make your periods lighter?
Yes. Many women use types of contaception which also make their periods lighter and more regular. If this doesn't work there are other treatments. But results are different for different people, and some women find their periods get heavier before they get lighter. Talk to your GP or the Doctor at the C&SH Clinic about how contraception will affect your periods.

Friends

We think one of friends is anorexic. How can we help?
Body shapes vary a lot when you're growing up, and some people are naturally very thin. But if you're worried about a friend, the best thing you can do is be supportive, friendly and kind. Encourage her to talk to a professional (e.g. a nurse at a Bodyzone), but be gentle. Don't have a go at her for not eating, or try to solve the problem yourself. Normally there are deeper issues that need to be sorted out, and this can take a long time.

Getting advice

What can you talk about at a Family Planning Clinic? How can they help you?
C&SH clinics (the new name for Family Planning Clinics, it stands for Contraception & Sexual Health) can advise you about sex, sexual health, contraception, STIs and Pregnancy. They can also provide information about other issues, e.g. Domestic Violence.

Can you go with your boyfriend to a C&SH clinic? Is it a good idea?
Yes, you can take a friend, family member or boyfriend/partner. Some people prefer to take someone, other people prefer to go on their own. Both are fine. If you go to the clinic with someone you can still see a Doctor on your own, if you want to. It's entirely up to you.

How do I find my local C&SH clinic?
Visit www.wellsafe.org/youngpeople for locations, opening times, and all your questions answered about Oxfordshire's C&SH clinics.

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