Pap Test 101

What is a Pap test? 
A Papanicolaou test  also called pap smear, is a sample of the cells taken from a woman's cervix. A sample of cervical cells is taken from the cervix to check for cervical cancer or tumors that can lead to cervical cancer. This is the best way to detect cancerous cells and if detected early, cervical cancer can be cured with medical treatment. A woman should be tested beginning at age 21 (even if she has already had sex OR not) and it is recommended to get tested every 2 years. A pap test is not painful but can be uncomfortable.

How is a Pap test taken? 

A doctor uses a device to widen the vagina opening and with a small brush collects cells from the cervix. The cells are taken to a lab to be examined and it takes a few weeks to get the results. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask us :)

What Makes a Healthy Relationship?

In a healthy relationship you and your partner feel safe, comfortable, good, happy and all those warm fuzzy feelings.  Even healthy relationships are going to encounter some difficult challenges, disagreements, disappointment, and even conflicting points of view.  Guess what, it's OK!  We are human.  It's how the each person deals with these challenges and the manner in which they compromise to resolve the differences.  The most important part in any relationship is to COMPROMISE (meaning, you talk things out and reach an agreement that you are both comfortable with).  It's the best way of getting the best of both worlds.  

Here are some good qualities of a healthy relationship: 

• Trust
• Respect each others decisions
• Supporting and encouraging each other
• Communication
• verbal
• writing
• body language
• listening
• Sharing is caring
• Acting in the best interest of the relationship not yourself
• Allowing each other to express themselves
• Holding each other accountable
• Fairness, equality and compromise
• and of course great sex!  (If it's safe, legal and mutual consent--meaning if you BOTH agree to it)

If you constantly have a warm fuzzy feeling in your gut about the person your in relationship with, you're probably in a healthy relationship.

=)

Female Condoms: DO's and DO NOT's

Gals and Guys... Damas y Caballeros

Presenting

The DO's and DO NOT's of Female Condoms! 

The DO's

DO wear a new condom every time you have sex

DO check the expiration date (its on the side)

DO form one of the rings into a figure "8" (the smaller ring, which is the one in the closed end of the condom) and insert into vagina

DO get into a comfortable position to insert into vagina

DO use water based lubrication

DO enjoy =)

The DO NOT's

DO NOT wear a male condom and a female condom at the same time (they will both break)

DO NOT use oil based lubrication (it will ruin the rubber)

DO NOT recycle condoms (always use a new condom)

DO NOT have sex unless you are wearing a condom

DO NOT use an open or expired condom.

DO NOT store in hot areas or leave in the sun. 

DO NOT use scissors, teeth or any sharp object to open.

DO NOT flush it down the toilet or it will come back up and haunt you (wrap it up in toilet paper and trash it!)

Signs of an Unhealthy Relationship

As we grow and begin to engage in relationships, it is important to distinguish between a healthy and unhealthy relationship. Some examples of unhealthy relationships are found in popular TV shows like Jersey Shore, Teen Moms and The Real World. It is okay to watch and laugh at the silly things they do but it is also important to remember that these shows are shown for entertainment and NOT intended for examples to follow. With that said.... LET'S BEGIN!


Signs of an Unhealthy Relationship


Negative Attitude:

• constantly drawing negative conclusions
• expressing negativity through language and action
• constantly identifies the faults, bad, wrong or failures first
• constantly pessimistic or has a negative outlook

Controlling or manipulative:

• Fails to compromise
• excessively keeps track of where, when, why and who you're with
• gives you rules to follow
• tells you what to do instead of asking
• tells you who you can and can't talk to
• directly or indirectly says or does things to make you do what THEY want you to do
• leads you to do things you're not comfortable with 

*** If you say no, it means NO! (your decisions should ALWAYS be respected)  

Negative Criticism:

• Constantly provides negative criticism instead of positive compliments
• Negative criticism can be considered verbal abuse
• if the comments bring you down or hurt your feelings then it might be verbal abuse

Anger/upset/rage:

• Gets upset over minor things
• Has difficulty managing anger
• Anger leads into physical outburst (hitting someone/thing, breaking objects, grabbing, pushing, etc.)
• Raises voice in an angry manner which can lead to screaming, yelling or abusive language
• Has difficulty letting go of issues that cause anger

Physical violence:

• Any form of unwanted physical contact
• punches, hits, slaps, kicks or breaks objects out of anger

Keep these signs in mind, they may be an indication of an unhealthy relationship. If you are in an abusive relationship, the best thing is to get out of the relationship ASAP.   It might be difficult at first but it can be MUCH worse later. Have SELF-RESPECT and MORE LOVE for YOURSELF... Do NOT settle for a few moments of happiness. 

If you are having difficulty getting out of an unhealthy relationship, seek help!  


Check out these videos:

Any questions? Feel free to ask us :)
You can also visit a great website on ending dating abuse. They have a lot of helpful information and resources. Visit LoveIsRespect. 




Stay safe,
Choices CAMP

Male Condoms: The DO's and DO NOT's

Guys and Gals, Damas y Caballeros...

Presenting

The DO's and DO NOT's of  Male Condoms!

The DO's

DO get and have condoms ready... always have them handy!

DO check them for air bubble & expiration date

DO open with hands

DO test with finger to make sure it rolls down the right way

DO apply lobster pinch on top of condom

DO roll condom all the way down

DO pull out and away every time

DO check for holes, leaks, tears or rips

DO properly dispose of condom (wrap it up in toilet paper and trash it)

DO hold the base of the penis and the condom together  to take out of the vagina

DO enjoy  =)

The DO NOT's

DO NOT use an open or expired condom.

DO NOT store in hot areas or leave in the sun.  Heat destroys the rubber.

DO NOT store in your wallet.  It may pop the package.

DO NOT use scissors to open. Scissors may cut the condom.

DO NOT put condom on too tight.

DO NOT recycle condoms. One condom for each sex act.

DO NOT use two or more condoms at the same time.  They will break.

DO NOT flush it down the toilet... it will come back up!

DO NOT disrespect your partner.

DO NOT use a condom that was put on backwards

DO NOT have sex with out a condom

Extra tips:

Consider Emergency Contraception if condom breaks or comes off.

Always respect your partner.

Now... the visuals:

Myths About Birth Control

Hello everyone!

As you may already know, there are very effective ways to prevent pregnancy. However, there are also some MISCONCEPTIONS and MYTHS about avoiding pregnancy or decreasing the chances of pregnancy.

Birth Control Myths

MYTH: A girl can't get pregnant if she is standing up or on top.
FACT: ANY POSITION CAN GET A GIRL PREGNANT! A girl can get pregnant standing up, on top, on the bottom, sideways, in the pool or hanging from the ceiling.  After ejaculation the sperm by nature will automatically swim up the cervix.

MYTH: A girl can't get pregnant when she is on her period.

FACT: A woman can get pregnant at ANYTIME during her menstrual cycle. Sperm can live in the women's cervix for up to 5 days. If ovulation occurs during those 5 days, she can get pregnant. (Ovulation is when an egg is being released from the ovary which makes a woman is more fertile or more likely to become pregnant).

MYTH: A girl won't get pregnant if her partner pulls out before he ejaculates. 

FACT: A girl CAN get pregnant! Some men have premature ejaculations and the sperm can be released before a man climaxes. Some men may not have the will-power to "pull-out" in time. 

MYTH: A girl won't get pregnant if it's her first time having sex.

FACT: A girl CAN get pregnant even the first time having sex.  A woman can get pregnant anytime she is ovulating.

MYTH: A girl will not get pregnant if she urinates right after sex.

FACT: This myth is false! Girls have 3 openings in the genitelia area, an anus (for poop), vagina (for sex, periods and birth) and the urethra opening (for urinating). The sperm enters the vagina not the urethra. 

MYTH: The daily birht control pill will take effect right after taking it. (Not the morning after pill, Plan B or Emergency Contraception)

FACT: This myth is false. It can take up to a month for the hormones in the pill to take effect on the body.  These pills need to be taken daily at the same time each day to be effective.  Please consult a doctor for additional information.

MYTH: A girl can't get pregnant with anal sex.

FACT: This myth is false. A girl CAN get pregnant through anal sex. If a man ejaculates into the anus, eventually it will come out and possibly make its way into the vagina. (Anal sex runs a high risk for getting an STI).

Check out this video that goes over some of the myths we talked about:

If you have any questions on a method you might have heard of to be effective on preventing pregnancy, feel free to ask us. Also, if anything on this post is not clear let us know and we will be happy to clear things up for you :)

Have an amazing day!

Choices CAMP

Bullet-point Summary: "Lets Talk About Sex" TV Special

Hola!

Did you get to watch the premiere of "Let's Talk About Sex" on TLC? If you did, what did you think? Good? Bad?

If you missed it, here's a summary:

• Americans view sex differently than Europeans.
• In the US, sex is generally viewed as taboo. As a consequence teens in the US do not get the appropriate information they need to make well informed decisions. 
• In Europe, sex is typically more openly talked about and accepted.  It is viewed as a normal human act that is meaningful.  They also focus heavily on safe sex by using protection.
• Statistics show that STI and teen pregnancy rates are higher in the US compared to European countries.
• Sex is a part of human nature and there is nothing we can do to change or stop people from having it. Therefore, it would be a smarter to inform teens about abstinence and teach them how to prevent contracting an STI and/or a pregnancy.
• Sex is a health topic and should be approached as such. Teen and adults should be educated on this subject and be given the tools needed to protect themselves to live long healthy lives. 

As a teen growing up in the United States, what is your view on this subject? What do you think about the European approach?

Tell us your opinion in a comment (or on our ChatBox on the right), Facebook, Myspace and/ or Twitter :)

Here is a short promo sneak peak video from TLC: Video

Hasta luego!

Choices CAMP