Young Men's Health
I got my first boyfriend recently. We’ve had oral sex, but not anal sex. We were watching tv and saw an ad for PrEP medicines. Since we are gay, should we just get on PrEP now to prevent HIV or are these medicines only for older guys? If not now, when?Thanks for your question and for thinking about your sexual health. PrEP stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis, which means to help prevent something from happening, such as a disease. PrEP is … read more
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I noticed when I exercise my heart will beat really fast and strong (like it’s coming through my chest), but I can never feel my pulse. I did some research and I am curious, could I have an arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm) or heart disease? Should I see a doctor or can I diagnosis it myself?
Thank you for your question. Heart disease is fortunately rare in teenagers. Some children are born with a birth defect of abnormal heart valves, a hole between 2 parts of … read more
My question is about testicular size. My right testis is very small compared to my left one. There is a very large difference in them. I am feeling some small lumps in blood vessels around my right testis. Is there anything wrong?
Thanks for your question. A lot of people have questions about their testicles. It is normal for one testicle to be slightly larger than the other, but for the most … read more
I live in rural Illinois and I’m worried about the coronavirus. What is being done to help get rid of it and could I die from it?
Thanks for sending the question. Lots of other teens have asked the same questions. Our world is going through challenging and uncertain times right now. It’s been over 100 years … read more
I’ve been staying up past midnight and not getting out of bed until the afternoon recently. How can I start going to sleep and waking up earlier?
Thanks for your question. Getting good sleep is an important thing everyone can do to stay healthy. There are lots of things that can affect sleep, including our daily activities, whether or … read more
I’m 16 years old and when I go to the doctor, my mom insists on staying in the room. I have an upcoming doctor’s appointment and I want to ask some more personal questions. Do I have the right to talk to the doctor without my mom in the room?
This is a great question! Kudos for wanting to begin understanding what it’s like to take charge of your own health, that’s great! It’s important for you to learn how … read more
I’m a 14 year old boy worried about my penis. I have about a 36 degree curve to the left and up. Is that normal? If not, how can I fix it?
Thanks for your question. Lots of people have concerns about their penis, such as its size, length, or shape. When a penis has a curve that can be due to: … read more
Is it possible to still have Anorexia even though I am not underweight? I have some symptoms, but I am overweight. Should I talk to my doctor?
This is a great and important question! Eating disorders, such as Anorexia Nervosa, can affect anybody and do not have any specific “look”. They affect individuals of all body shapes … read more
I’ve recently begun watching porn, and I’ve repeatedly heard women say it was okay to have unprotected sex due to it being a ‘safe day.’ What does this mean, and does it relate to a woman’s period?
Thank you for your question. It might be helpful to review some facts about menstrual cycles: They can vary in length between 21-35 days on average. Changes in hormones during … read more
How do I deal with burnout in school?
Thanks for your question. Many teens share this concern. Here are some things to consider. First, it’s important to understand the source of your burnout. Is it because you’re struggling … read more