Center for Young Women's Health
I am developing a lot of stretch marks on my body. Is there anything I can do other than workout/lose weight? Are they permanent?Stretch marks are actually a kind of scar that appears when the skin stretches quickly (with weight gain) or shrinks (with sudden weight loss). It’s common to develop stretch marks … read more
Ask Us questions
Each week we choose one new Ask Us question and post the answer. Feel free to search or browse our past questions and answers to see if yours is already there.
To ask a new question, use our form. Ask your own question!
I have this weird feeling that my vagina doesn’t seem normal. I have two folds of skin that cover the middle of my vagina. Is this normal?
The two folds of skin that you describe are likely your “labia”, which are located on the outside of your vagina and are completely normal. The medical word for these … read more
Can you get bowel cancer at 13 years old?
Colon cancer is very rare in children; however, anyone no matter what age who has chronic unexplained constipation (difficulty having bowel movements), abdominal distention (bloating of the belly) and bleeding from the … read more
I joined the gym 2 months ago to just be active. I thought I would get used to it but I absolutely hate going to the gym. Everyone suggests that I keep going but even thinking about having to go to the gym ruins my day. Is it a bad idea to give up?
Thanks for your question! Two months of trying out the gym seems like a sufficient amount of time to know if you like going or not. If you want to … read more
Is it more hygienic to shave my pubic hair or just leave it alone?
Thanks for your question. It is not more hygienic to shave pubic hair. Some girls decide to remove it (as a personal preference) but there are no health benefits. In fact, there … read more
I barely feel full even after I eat. I don’t know if it’s because I’m burning more calories since I have a job so I’m on my feet all the time. I’m very worried to eat till I’m full because I’m scared, I’m going to gain lots of weight. What can I do?
There are a couple of different things that can affect how full you feel after you eat. Portion sizes: Do you think that you’re getting enough food? A very general … read more
Will an IUD help with cramps? My Ob-Gyn doctor suggested it because I have trouble remembering to take regular medication. I just want to know if it’s a good idea.
The hormonal IUD (intra-uterine device) is one of the best ways to prevent pregnancy, as it is more than 99% effective. You don’t need to worry about forgetting a pill. … read more
All my friends say that they have really bad cramps. I just got my first period, and I’m not feeling any cramps at all. Is that normal?
Thanks for your question! It is completely normal for some girls to have mild to moderate menstrual cramps and for others not to have any cramps at all. The medical … read more
What natural substance can I use to cure pimples on my face?
Thank you for your question! While most teens (girls and guys) will have some kind of acne breakout during their teen years, it can be upsetting to have pimples. Taking … read more
I got my period last month. When am I supposed to “douche”?
Thank you for your question! Douching, which is cleaning the inside of the vagina with soap and water, vinegar or pre-packaged solutions isn’t necessary and actually can be harmful. In fact, … read more