Is emergency contraception the same as abortion?
No. Emergency Contraception Pills (ECP) are a concentrated dose of birth control pills that are approximately 94% effective in preventing pregnancy from occurring when taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex. ECP will not work if a woman is already pregnant and won't harm the pregnancy. Abortion is the termination of an already established pregnancy. See fact sheet for more information. See the EC fact sheet for more information.

Can I become pregnant while having sex during my menstrual period?
It is possible. A woman can become pregnant when she is ovulating (releasing an egg from the ovary). A woman ovulates 14 days before the first day of her next menstrual period. If a woman's menstrual cycle is very short (meaning 21 days or less between menstrual periods), she could be ovulating during her period or shortly after. Therefore, having unprotected sex during her period could put a woman at risk for pregnancy. See the menstrual cycle fact sheet or the birth control fact sheet for more information.

Will Depo Provera or the birth control pill make me gain weight?
With any hormonal birth control method, there are possible side effects. Weight gain is a reported side effect with Depo. On average, a woman may gain about 5 - 6 pounds within the first year. Weight gain or weight loss could also be a possible side effect with the pill. Not every woman on Depo or the pill will gain weight and if she does, it usually can be managed by diet and exercise. See the birth control fact sheet for more information.

Is burning or a discharge from the penis or vagina a symptom of a STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection)?
It could be a possible symptom of an STI or it could be something else that is not sexually transmitted. Many STI's, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea, can cause burning or discharge. However, other things like a urinary tract infection or a yeast infection, which are not sexually transmitted, can cause similar symptoms. The only way to know for sure if you have an STI is to be tested. See the STI fact sheet for more information.

What is HIV? What is AIDS? How are they related?
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus and AIDS stands for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV weakens the body's immune system, which protects the body from diseases, and makes it easier for people who are HIV positive to contract other diseases and infections. The last stage of HIV disease is called AIDS.

Where can I get a free HIV test?
Free, anonymous (no name used) or confidential HIV testing is available at many places. Call the Pennsylvania State AIDS Factline (800-662-6080) for information on testing sites in your area. If you live outside Pennsylvania, you can call the National AIDS Hotline (800-342-AIDS).

When is the best time to take an HIV test?
You can be tested for HIV at any time. The test identifies antibodies which may take anywhere from a few weeks to six months to develop in your body. This is called the "window period". Most people can be tested 25 days after being exposed to HIV, although your test will be the most accurate after six months have passed. Also, someone who is HIV positive can transmit the virus during this window period, even though he/she may not test positive on the antibody test.

Can you get HIV from oral sex?
It is possible though unlikely. HIV is transmitted through four bodily fluids: blood, semen (including pre-ejaculatory fluid or pre-cum), vaginal fluids, and breast milk. If any of these fluids enters a person's mouth or throat through a cut or tear, transmission is possible. However, oral sex is considered a low risk behavior for HIV transmission. In order to reduce the risk of HIV through oral sex, many people use condoms or dental dams.

Can you get HIV from saliva?
No. HIV is transmitted through blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. It is not transmitted through saliva, sweat, tears, or urine.

Can you get HIV from kissing?
It would be extremely unlikely to get HIV from kissing, even open-mouth deep kissing. HIV is transmitted through blood, semen, vaginal fluids, and breast milk, and these fluids are not usually present during kissing.

Is it normal to have discharge?
Yes, women normally have some discharge from their vaginas and it may change throughout their menstrual cycle. Normal discharge is clear or white in color and does not have a strong odor. If your discharge changes color, has a strong odor, or you begin to have more discharge than normal, it could be a sign that you have an infection. If this happens, it is important to see a doctor, who can diagnose and treat the infection.

However, discharge is not normal for men. If a man has discharge, it could be a symptom of an infection and he should see a doctor.

Will using tampons make me lose my virginity?
No. Whether someone is a virgin or not depends on whether they have had sex, not whether they use tampons. Many girls use tampons who have not had sex. See the menstrual cycle fact sheet for more information.

Can my partner tell if I am a virgin when we have sex?
No. The only way to tell for sure if someone is a virgin is if he or she tells you. Whether this is your first time or you have had sex before, it is important to talk to your partner openly and honestly before deciding to have sex. It may be important to tell your partner whether you have had other sexual partners or not, to discuss what having sex means to each of you, and to talk about how you will prevent unplanned consequences like pregnancy or STIs.

Will pulling out prevent pregnancy?
No, it won't. When a guy becomes aroused, his penis produces a small amount of pre-ejaculatory fluid (pre-cum). Pre-ejaculatory fluid contains sperm as well as any STI that the guy may have. Even if he withdraws, or pulls out, from his partner before he ejaculates, there could be enough sperm released to cause his partner to become pregnant or he could transmit an STI. For more information about preventing pregnancy, see the birth control fact sheet.

If I miss my period, does that mean that I am pregnant?
Not necessarily. Sometimes girls miss their periods. If you have had sex and missed a period, then it is possible you have become pregnant. However, many other things like stress, weight loss, infections, and medications (including birth control) can cause missed periods, too. The only way to know for sure if you are pregnant is to take a pregnancy test. If you continue to miss periods or if your period is very irregular, you should talk to your doctor. See the menstrual cycle fact sheet for more information.

I forgot to take my pill yesterday. What should I do?
If you are taking birth control pills, it is important to take them at the same time every day. If you miss one pill in a cycle (you miss one pill out of a full pack of pills) then you should take it as soon as you remember. If you miss more than one pill, or if you miss your pill more than one time in a cycle, you may be at risk for pregnancy. You should call your health care provider to find out what is recommended, and use a back up method like condoms or avoid having sex to prevent pregnancy.

If I am using Depo Provera as birth control and I don't get my period, is it building up inside me?
When taking Depo Provera, sometimes your period becomes irregular. You may miss periods, experience spotting, or not get a period at all. If this is the case, your period is not building up because the Depo prevents ovulation. If ovulation does not occur, then the body does not build up the vaginal lining or shed it, so you do not get a period.

What are my options if I am pregnant and a minor?
You could carry to term and become a parent, you could carry to term and place the baby for adoption or you could have an abortion. You may want or need to talk about your decision with the people in your life and this can be very helpful. However, in the end, this is a decision that only you can make for yourself. For more information about each of these options, you can talk to a counselor by calling CHOICE at 1-800-84-TEENS.

Is it normal to feel attracted to someone of the same sex?
Yes, it is. Discovering who you are attracted to is a part of your sexuality. Being attracted to someone of the same sex is perfectly natural for some people, just as being attracted to someone of the opposite sex is natural for others. And being attracted to people of both sexes is normal too. Attraction and sexual feelings can be complex and may take a while to sort out. Gradually you will figure out who you find attractive and what that means for you.