Sabine Walter

An anonymous writer put it this way: "Friends in your life are like pillars on your porch. Sometimes they hold you up and sometimes they lean on you. Sometimes it's just enough to know they're standing by." ©Seventyfour / Adobe StockWriter Elisabeth Foley points out that friendship doubles your joy and divides your grief, and that the most beautiful discovery that true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart.

Masturbation is, in fact, a basic part of good sexual functioning. The myths about going blind are most definitely untrue, and masturbation is a healthy part of growing up. If, however, you are just exploring sexuality, you may be wondering exactly how to masturbate (or how the “other half” masturbates). Keep in mind that, while you can read about the most common ways, there are many ways to enjoy sexual pleasure on your own and no “wrong way” to masturbate.

Female orgasms tend to come in more varieties than male orgasms. Because of that, women’s orgasms have been an issue of contention ever since the days of Sigmund Freud in the early 1900s. Women have reported experiencing the following types of orgasms: Clitoral orgasms: These orgasms are triggered by stimulation of the clitoris, either before, during, or after intercourse.

Heterosexual intercourse occurs whenever a man puts his penis into a woman’s vagina. That’s the minimal definition. But sex is about more than that simple act. As such, you may be curious, or you may want to know how to describe sex to a teenager. The information below explains what — exactly — happens during intercourse.

Child abuse certainly does exist and, as a parent or guardian, you have a duty to protect your child. A report issued by the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS) gives certain guidelines that every parent and caregiver should know. Watch for the following behaviors and you will know how to spot signs of sexual abuse for a child under your care: A child’s sexual interest should be in balance with his or her curiosity about, and explanation of, other aspects of his or her life.

What's the right age to start having sex? When to start having intercourse (or any other type of sex) is a very difficult and serious decision to make. Some people believe you must wait until you're married before having sex. Other people may not have a problem with premarital sex. You're the only one who can decide for yourself — although there are important factors to consider in that decision.

Understanding women's sexual (or reproductive) organs such as the vagina, uterus, and vulva is as integral to sex as understanding the penis. Demystifying female anatomy is key to good sexual functioning, whether you're a mature, experienced adult or looking to learn about women's sexual organs for the first time.

What is sex, exactly? In other words, what "counts" as having sex? And when do you stop being a virgin? Sexual relations cover activities beyond intercourse: They also include outercourse, oral sex, and anal sex. So what are the differences and how do they impact virginity? One thing that all forms of sex (outercourse, oral sex, anal sex, and intercourse) have in common is that they involve two people giving each other the pleasure that comes from having an orgasm.

Going through adolescence is rough. It can feel even rougher if you’re the first boy to develop a light mustache, or the last girl to develop breasts. Although the best advice is to enjoy your youth and not worry about such things, doing so is sometimes impossible. These particular changes are too sensational to ignore, particularly when they also affect how you think and feel.