Quick questions

Discharge is normal, and it helps protect the vagina from infection.¹² It's usually nothing to worry about if it's clear or white, if it's thick and sticky or slippery and wet, and if it doesn't have a strong or unpleasant smell.² The exception is thick and white like cottage cheese, which can be thrush, so it's worth getting checked. Healthdirect Australia says thick and white discharge isn't normal.²³ If unsure, a clinic can look. A change in smell, colour or texture might be a sign of an infection, so it's better to see a doctor than to guess.² More on the anatomy page.

Source: NHS, Healthdirect Australia, ACOG, Cleveland Clinic

A certain amount of smell is normal. If the smell is strong and noticeable, an infection or another problem may be the cause.¹ More on the anatomy page and when to see a doctor.

Source: ACOG, Cleveland Clinic

No. Doctors advise against washing inside the vagina, and scented products are best avoided too.⁴ Sprays, deodorants and douches aren't recommended and may make things worse.¹ On the outside, a plain, fragrance-free soap is fine.¹ More on the anatomy page.

Verified with: Mayo Clinic, NHS, ACOG

Yes. There's a wide range of normal, and the two sides can be different sizes. The inner folds are often longer than the outer ones, and it's also normal if they're not. Rarely, large or uneven inner folds get uncomfortable in clothes, during exercise or sex, or when putting in a tampon, and then it's worth talking to a doctor.¹ More on the anatomy page.

Source: ACOG

No. Removing some or all of it is a personal choice, and there's no medical or hygiene reason to do it. Some ways of removing hair raise the risk of infection, and shaving or waxing can cause injuries, so if you decide to remove hair, it's worth doing it carefully.¹ More on the anatomy page.

Source: ACOG

No. Having a hymen or not doesn't show whether someone is a "virgin". It can stretch or tear during sex or from tampons, and from other activities too.¹ More on the anatomy page.

Source: ACOG, Cleveland Clinic

Most people who get periods start somewhere between 11 and 14, but some start earlier or later.⁵⁶ Some people don't start until 16 and that can be normal, but it's worth seeing a doctor if periods haven't started by 15.⁷ The same goes if there are no other signs of puberty by 13.⁸⁹ More on the periods page.

Verified with: ACOG, Healthdirect Australia, NHS, Cleveland Clinic

A period lasting anywhere from 2 to 7 days is normal. The first few periods may last only a few days.⁷ More on the periods page.

Verified with: ACOG, NHS

Heavy periods can be normal, and they can be heavier at certain times, like when periods first start.¹⁰ Needing a new pad or tampon every 1 to 2 hours, or a period that lasts more than 7 days, is a reason to see a doctor. When bleeding is heavy, feeling light-headed or dizzy, or having a racing pulse, means seeing a doctor right away.⁷ Cleveland Clinic says bleeding through two or more pads or tampons each hour for 2 to 3 hours in a row means seeing a doctor or getting emergency care. Mayo Clinic says soaking through at least one an hour for more than 2 hours means getting medical help before the next scheduled appointment.¹¹¹² More on the periods page.

Source: NHS, ACOG, Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic

The average cycle is about 28 days. For the first years after periods start, anything from 21 to 45 days is normal. After that, it's usually about 21 to 35 days. ACOG, the US body for gynaecologists, says it can take 6 years or more for the cycle to get regular.^7131415 It's worth checking with a doctor if periods were regular and then became irregular.⁷¹⁶ More on the periods page.

Verified with: ACOG, NHS, Cleveland Clinic, Current Problems in Pediatric and Adolescent Health Care

Late or missed periods have lots of causes. Most of the time it's nothing to worry about, but it's worth seeing a doctor just in case.¹⁷ Common causes include pregnancy, stress, sudden weight loss, being overweight and doing too much exercise.¹⁷ If there's been sex and a period is missed, it's time for a pregnancy test.⁷ If it's positive, here's what comes next. More on the periods page.

Source: NHS, Cleveland Clinic, ACOG

Things that can help: a heat pad, or a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel, on the tummy; massaging the tummy and back; gentle exercise like yoga, swimming, walking or cycling; and painkillers like paracetamol (acetaminophen), ibuprofen or naproxen. Always follow the directions on the packet for how much to take.¹⁶⁷ Ibuprofen and naproxen are NSAIDs, and ACOG says those aren't for people with bleeding disorders, asthma, an aspirin allergy, liver damage, stomach problems or ulcers.¹⁸ The NHS also lists heart or kidney conditions, chickenpox, and being pregnant or trying to get pregnant as reasons to check first.¹⁹ Aspirin isn't for anyone under 16.²⁰ If the pain doesn't go away with these, or it means missing school or normal activities, it's worth talking to a doctor.⁷ Severe pain low down, pain that's getting worse or hurts when moving or touching the area, or feeling faint or dizzy, can be an emergency: call the local emergency number or go to an emergency department.²¹²² The signs are on the when to see a doctor page. More on the periods page.

Source: NHS, Cleveland Clinic, ACOG, Mayo Clinic

No. A tampon can't get lost inside the body. The vagina holds it firmly in place, and the cervix is what stops it getting lost.¹⁴²³ It can still get stuck or be forgotten, though. A forgotten one can get lodged at the top of the vagina, next to the cervix. If it can't be taken out easily, see a doctor.²⁴ More on the periods page.

Source: NHS, Cleveland Clinic, Healthdirect Australia

Change it every 4 to 8 hours, and never leave one tampon in for more than 8 hours.²⁵ Leaving a tampon in for a long time has been linked to toxic shock syndrome (TSS).⁷ TSS is rare, but it can be life-threatening. It comes on quickly and needs urgent treatment.²⁶ Thinking it might be TSS is reason enough to go to an emergency department or call the local emergency number.²⁷²⁸ The signs are on the when to see a doctor page.

Verified with: FDA, Cleveland Clinic, ACOG, NHS, Mayo Clinic

With typical use, the implant and both coils are over 99% effective. The NHS gives the injection 94%, the pills, the patch and the ring 91%, and condoms 82%, or 98% when used perfectly.²⁹ The CDC's typical-use numbers are a little higher: about 96% for the injection, 93% for the pills, the patch and the ring, and 87% for condoms.³⁰ More on the sexual health page.

Source: NHS, CDC

No. Of all contraception methods, only condoms protect against STIs (sexually transmitted infections), including HIV.³¹ Dental dams also give protection during oral sex.³²³³ More on the sexual health page.

Verified with: NHS, CDC, Cleveland Clinic

Pulling out isn't an especially effective form of birth control. Sperm may enter the vagina if pulling out isn't properly timed, or if the fluid that comes before ejaculation contains sperm. It also doesn't protect against STIs.³⁴ It's estimated that one in five couples who use it for one year will get pregnant.³⁴ Other options are on the sexual health page.

Verified with: Mayo Clinic, ACOG

Yes, it's possible to get pregnant soon after a period finishes, if ovulation happens early or the cycle is short. The NHS calls it not very likely. Cleveland Clinic calls sex without protection right after a period risky, because fertility starts going up around then. So it isn't a safe time to skip contraception.³⁵³⁶ Contraception is on the sexual health page.

Verified with: NHS, Cleveland Clinic

If a condom splits or comes off during sex, emergency contraception or an STI test may be needed.³⁷ Emergency contraception needs to be used within 3 to 5 days. The sooner it's used, the better it usually works.³⁸ After a possible exposure to HIV, PEP, a medicine that can lower the risk, has to be started within 72 hours.³⁹⁴⁰ In the US, the CDC says to talk right away to a doctor, an emergency room doctor or an urgent care provider.⁴⁰ In the UK, it's available from sexual health clinics and A&E.³⁹ Elsewhere, ask at an emergency department or clinic. More on emergency contraception.

Source: NHS, ACOG, Mayo Clinic, CDC

No. Emergency contraception doesn't cause an abortion. It stops a pregnancy from starting, and it doesn't work if there already is one.⁴¹ More on emergency contraception.

Source: ACOG, Mayo Clinic

Yes. Consent can be taken back at any time. Having said yes in the past is not consent, and being in a relationship with someone is not consent either.⁴² More on the sexual health page.

Source: NHS

A sexual act that someone didn't consent to, or was forced into, is sexual assault.⁴² If that has happened to you, it was not your fault.⁴² In an emergency, call the local emergency number.⁴² There are services that can help.⁴²

It's important to get medical help, for any injuries and because there may be a risk of pregnancy or STIs.⁴² Emergency contraception is time-limited: it needs to be used within 3 to 5 days, and the sooner it's used, the better it usually works.³⁸ PEP, a medicine that can lower the risk of HIV, is time-limited too: it has to be started within 72 hours.³⁹⁴⁰ In the US, the CDC says to talk right away to a doctor, an emergency room doctor or an urgent care provider.⁴⁰ In the UK, it's available from sexual health clinics and A&E.³⁹ Elsewhere, ask at an emergency department or clinic.

Reporting depends on the country. In Australia, when a child has been assaulted, doctors and nurses have to report it, and they deal with medical needs confidentially.⁴³ In Ireland, when someone under 18 has been assaulted, it has to be reported to a service called Tusla, to keep the person safe and get them support, and a parent or trusted adult usually comes along.⁴⁴ In the US, the laws vary from state to state, and the exception to privacy is when a teen says they're being hurt.⁴⁵ In the UK, the NHS says there's no need to report to the police if you do not want to, but a professional might tell someone else if they believe there's a serious risk to the person's safety, such as abuse, and they would usually talk about it first.⁴²⁴⁶ It's fine to ask what they'd have to pass on, before answering any questions.⁴⁷

More on where to get it, on what to do and on the help page.

Source: NHS, CDC, ACOG, Healthdirect Australia, HSE Ireland, AAP

Yes. Many STIs have no symptoms, so someone can have one without knowing it and pass it on. The only way to know for sure is to get tested.⁴⁸⁴⁹ More on the sexual health page.

Verified with: NHS, HSE Ireland, CDC

Some STIs take up to 7 weeks after sex without a condom to show up on a test. Without symptoms, the NHS says it's best to wait 7 weeks before testing.⁴⁸ That wait is only about the test. With symptoms, or if you are worried after sex without a condom or dental dam, go to a clinic now.⁴⁸

Emergency contraception (within 3 to 5 days) and PEP, a medicine that can lower the risk of HIV (within 72 hours), can't wait.³⁸³⁹⁴⁰ For PEP, in the US, the CDC says to talk right away to a doctor, an emergency room doctor or an urgent care provider.⁴⁰ In the UK, PEP is available from sexual health clinics and A&E.³⁹ Elsewhere, ask at an emergency department or clinic.

HIV tests have their own timing. The CDC says antibody tests, which include most rapid tests and self-tests, can usually detect HIV 23 to 90 days after exposure. If a test after a possible exposure is negative, test again once that test's window has passed.⁵⁰ More on the sexual health page.

Source: NHS, CDC

Many STIs can be cured with antibiotics. Some, like HIV, have no cure, but there are treatments.⁵¹ STIs can be treated, so there's no need to be scared of having a test.⁵²⁵³ More on the sexual health page.

Source: NHS, WHO, CDC

Yes. Lesbian and bisexual people, nonbinary people and trans people aren't immune to STIs.⁵⁴ Chlamydia and gonorrhoea, for example, can be passed on through shared sex toys, hands and rubbing genitals together.⁵⁴ More on the queer safer sex page.

Source: NHS, CDC

Yes, HPV (human papillomavirus) can be caught the first time someone has sex.⁵⁵ It's very common. Most people get some type of it in their life, usually without symptoms, and most infections cause no problems and usually clear within 2 years.⁵⁵ More on the queer safer sex page.

Source: NHS, CDC

What's offered, and at what age, depends on the country. ACOG, the US body for gynaecologists, recommends a first visit to an ob-gyn (a doctor for reproductive health) between ages 13 and 15.⁴⁷ In the UK, free, confidential advice and treatment are available from a GP or a sexual health clinic, also for people under 16.⁵² More on the sexual health page.

Source: ACOG, NHS

The first visit may be just a talk, though there may also be some exams and vaccinations.⁴⁷ An internal (pelvic) exam usually isn't needed at the first visit, unless there are problems like unusual bleeding or pain.⁴⁷ If an internal exam hurts, speak up right away. The doctor can stop and talk about any worries.⁵⁶ More on what happens at an appointment.

Source: ACOG, Mayo Clinic

It depends on the country. In the UK, sexual health services are confidential, and the doctor, nurse or pharmacist won't tell parents or anyone else, as long as they believe the person fully understands the information and decisions involved.⁴⁶ Even if they feel someone isn't mature enough to make the decision alone, the consultation stays confidential.⁴⁶ For someone under 13, they might feel it's best to involve other people, such as a social worker.⁴⁶ Otherwise, the only time they might tell someone else is if they believe there's a serious risk to safety or welfare, such as abuse, and they would usually talk about it first.⁴⁶ In the US, it's fine to talk about confidentiality with the doctor before answering any questions, and much of what's shared can be kept confidential.⁴⁷ The laws vary from state to state, and the exception is when a teen says they're being hurt, or want to hurt themselves or others.⁴⁵ More on when to see a doctor.

Source: NHS, ACOG

It depends on the country. In the UK, anyone can go to a sexual health clinic, whatever their gender or age, and with or without symptoms. For people under 16 the service is still confidential.⁵¹ There's no need to give a real name there.⁵¹ The help page lists clinics and helplines.

Verified with: NHS (UK only)

Not in the teen years: in England the first invite comes at 25, and in the US screening isn't recommended before 21.⁵⁷⁴⁷ More on the queer safer sex page and the trans and nonbinary page.

Source: NHS, ACOG, CDC

Use a binder made for binding, and never bind with duct tape, elastic bandages or plastic wrap. They can restrict blood flow, damage skin and make it hard to breathe.⁵⁸ Common advice is to keep it under eight hours a day, take regular breaks, and not sleep or do hard exercise in a binder.⁵⁹ If there's pain or trouble breathing, take the binder off straight away. If that doesn't make it go away, get to a doctor or hospital as soon as possible.⁶⁰ Trouble breathing that doesn't settle is a reason to call the local emergency number.⁶¹ More on the trans and nonbinary page.

Not confirmed by a medical institution. Community source: Minus18

Periods stopping is a common and wanted effect. In one study, though, some people still had periods more than 6 months after starting.⁶² If bleeding hasn't stopped after several months, a doctor might suggest medicine to stop it.⁶³ Periods stopping doesn't mean pregnancy can't happen, so anyone who doesn't want to get pregnant should still use birth control.⁶³⁵⁸ More on the trans and nonbinary page.

Source: International Journal of Transgender Health, Mayo Clinic

Yes, it can happen. Testosterone might lower fertility, but pregnancy can still happen for someone who has a uterus and ovaries and has sex with a person who makes sperm. Anyone who doesn't want to get pregnant should always use birth control.⁶³ WPATH says testosterone should not be counted on as contraception.⁵⁸ Testosterone can also carry risks for a baby if pregnancy happens while taking it.⁶⁴ If that might be the case, it is worth telling a doctor straight away. More on the trans and nonbinary page.

Source: Mayo Clinic, CDC, NHS

It depends a lot on where someone lives, and experts disagree. For teens, WPATH (the World Professional Association for Transgender Health) recommends a full, supportive assessment first, and medical treatment only when a set of conditions is met.⁵⁸ In England, NHS policy after a 2024 review allows hormones only in restricted cases, for 16- and 17-year-olds with persistent signs of gender dysphoria.⁶⁵ In a consultation that ran from 9 March to 7 June 2026, NHS England proposed that these hormones shouldn't be a routine treatment for under-18s.⁶⁶ It proposed that 16- and 17-year-olds who already have NHS prescriptions may continue, under case-by-case review.⁶⁶ NHS England says it will consider all responses and publish a final policy.⁶⁶ The Pharmaceutical Journal reported a pause on new referrals during the consultation.⁶⁵ As of 30 October 2026, Kindbody couldn't confirm the details of that pause, whether it still applies, or the outcome, so a GP or gender service can say what applies now. The NHS strongly recommends not using or buying treatment that hasn't been prescribed for the person taking it. Anyone already taking hormones that weren't prescribed can speak to a GP.⁶⁷ More on the trans and nonbinary page.

Source: NHS

No. Not everyone who is trans or nonbinary feels gender dysphoria.⁵⁸ Gender dysphoria is distress or discomfort that lasts a long time because someone's gender identity is different from the sex they were registered with at birth.⁶⁷ More on the trans and nonbinary page.

Source: Healthdirect Australia, NHS

Yes. WPATH says health workers should ask trans and nonbinary people what name and pronouns to use, and which words to use for their body parts.⁵⁸ If nobody asks, it's okay to say it first. More tips are on the trans and nonbinary page.

Source: CDC

Intersex describes people born with sex or reproductive traits that don't fit binary (two-category) definitions of sex.⁵⁸ Being intersex can show up in many ways, and no two bodies are exactly alike.⁶⁸ Many variations don't need any medical care beyond understanding how the body is developing and knowing what to expect.⁶⁹ More on the intersex page.

Source: Cleveland Clinic, NHS

The most common times to find out are around birth and in the teen years.⁶⁹ Some traits are noticeable at birth, and others not until puberty. Some people never notice anything, or only learn about it when they're tested for something unrelated.⁶⁸ More on the intersex page.

Source: NHS, Cleveland Clinic