INTERACTIVE GUIDE

06

Things to KNOW ABOUT YOUR PERIOD

01

SEX

02

METHODS OF CONTRACEPTION

03

PREGNANCY

04

ABORTION

05

GYN VISIT. WHAT TO EXPECT

06

MY BODY. MY TEMPLE

07

LGBTQ+ TERMS

08

SEXUAL ABUSE/HARASSMENT

09

10

11

12

MENSTRUATIONSEX ED AND MORE

Things i would've loved to know when i was 16

HOW TO BE AN ALLY

CHILDBIRTH

MASCULINITY VS TOXIC MASCULINITY

1

A PERIOD IS PROBABLY COMMON FOR YOU NOW, BUT THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT YOU MIGHT STILL DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT

• Ovulation is the step on the menstrual cycle where your ovary releases an egg
• You are highly likely to get pregnant
• Every period is different for every woman, but also the same. You may feel things that others won't
• There are going to be days where you release more than others. The release can be pure blood or a white liquid kind of like jelly. ALL OF THIS IS NORMAL
• Your body produces necessary hormones for your body, like estrogen or progesterone
• You may feel moody or different when on your period, and THAT'S OKAY!
• Tampons are more comfortable when you are doing sports, but if you leave them for too long you can get an infection.

SEX

HOME

THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR PERIOD

2

SEX is normal

You might find it weird that your mom talks to you about sex, but that's the reason I'm doing this guide. Society has told us that we shouldn't talk about sex because it's weird. But the truth is, sex is so normal and is something that everyone does.Sex is about connection. Being with someone you trust and makes you feel good about yourself. But it should also be fun. Sex should be enjoyable for both you and your partner.Some people might say that you should please a man and that sex is all about them, but that's so false. Sex needs two people to work, and both should be able to enjoy it.Women are allowed to feel horny, like men do, but are shamed if people find they are having sex. A guy is praised, a woman is called a whore.You should never feel ashamed of having sex. It is not something out of the ordinary, and i assure you the people who shame you do it as well.My advice, do it with someone you truly love, it gives it a more sentimental meaning. Also take care of yourself while doing it.And most importantly, don't do something you don't want to do.

METHODS

PERIOD

SEX

PREGNANCY

SEX

3

From best to worst... (There are more but these are the most common)

• STERILIZATION - Lasts forever
• IUD - Works really well to prevent pregnancy
• Copper - Up to 12 years
• With hormones - 7 years.
• This one releases hormones similar to the ones your body produces during your period. Some can give you mood swings or gain weight
• THE SHOT - Get it every 3 months
• THE PILL - Have to take it every day for it to work
• CONDOMS - Have to use it EVERY TIME you have sex.
• It can help avoid STIs, but it can also break. Be careful
• WITHDRAWAL METHOD - This one is NOT effective. Even if the guy pulls out before, there are chances that you get something inside. NOT RECOMMENDED

METHODS OF CONTRACEPTION

PREGNANCY

• It's easier to keep track of the pregnancy per week rather than per month. (Trust me)
• First couple of months are going to be the worst. It'll slowly pass overtime
• I didn't get syntoms, hopefully you won't too.
• DO NOT SLEEP FACING UP. You may block baby's airway and it will be harder for them to breath.
• Take your prenatal vitamins!
• It's okay to feel tired some days. It's okay to feel sad some days. Your body is producing hormones that can make you emotional.
• Ask for help if you need it, whether it's for lifting or doing something. It is hard for women to ask for help, but it is not worth it harming your baby.
• If you have cravings for something, eat it.
• Don't be afraid to tell people not to touch your belly!
• LOTION ON YOUR BELLY. You can get stretch marks, and it'll be harder when the baby is born.
• Talk or sing to your baby. They love it, and they know you are the one doing it

ABORTION

METHODS

4

ABORTION

GYN VISIT

PREGNANCY

5

Abortion is the right to terminate a pregnancy. There are many reasons why women would like to terminate them, between them the fact that they don't want kids.Politicians and many religious people will tell you that you are going to kill a baby if you have an abortion, but the truth is, that's not up to them. It's up to you.A hearbeat is not detected until around 6-7 weeks on the pregnancy, and even then, if you want to have an abortion, the fetus won't feel any pain.There are different ways of abortion, one is the by a pill supplied by a physician, or the common aspiration method. Both can be a little painful and cause several bleeding, but it will just feel like a period.Many states in the U.S., and even other countries, are against abortion in any way, and are taking away a right that was given to women to have a safe way to terminate a pregnancy.Women around the world are against these bans that politicians want to make. Some women even have to cross state lines to get a safe abortion in places where it is still legal.

A VERY CONTROVERSIAL TOPIC

6

It's okay to feel weird at first

• Your gynecologist will check if everything is alright with you once a year.
• Usually either after you started your period or after losing your virginity
• They can prescribe birth control for you
• If you want it ask for it
• Be 100% honest with them. I know it sounds scary to talk about sex or private parts to a stranger, but they are there to make sure that you are healthy.
• You are probably going to feel exposed, but that's okay. Remember that they check other women all the time
• If you ask for an IUD, this is what to expect
• They will insert it (no anesthisea, and it hurts). It will hurt for the first few days but then the pain will go away
• You won't feel it afterwards
• You may have days that you won't get a regular period. That's normal!
• They can teach you how to do a self breast exam, just ask for it!

MY BODY

ABORTION

GYN VISIT. WHAT TO EXPECT

7

YOUR BODY IS BEAUTIFUL THE WAY IT IS

Society will tell you the perfect body is of someone who is thin, with big boobs and big butt. But that's not really it.Like with sexuality, society has made it normal that thin is beautiful and fat is ugly. But what is fat?Fatness is just another social construct to discriminate people that are outside of the beauty standards. This also happens to people with physical disabilities.This can lead to eating disorders, low self-esteem, and insecurity.People are beautiful the way they are, regardless of their size.Everyone is different in their own way, and currently, many clothing stores are starting to offer a bigger sizes in their clothing lines. Big boobs, small boobs, big butt, small butt, it is all the same. NEVER feel bad about your body, and at the same time, NEVER make other people feel bad about theirs.It is none of your business how others look.They are beautiful, and so are you.

LGBTQ+ TERMS

GYN VISIT

MY BODY. MY TEMPLE

8

• HETEROSEXUAL - Attracted to people from the other sex
• GAY/LESBIAN - Attracted to people from the same sex
• QUEER - Term used to people that identify as one of the letters of the LGBTQ+ alphabet
• BISEXUAL - Attracted to both sex
• These people are constantly criticized with the claims that they are "gay/lesbian people in the closet." Just because a bisexual person has a straight relationship doesn't make them less bisexual.

• TRANS - These are people that don't feel comfortable with their sex assigned at birth, and decide to change it.

• PANSEXUAL - Attraction through connection regardless of sex/gender
• Contrary to ASEXUAL (people who don't feel sexually attracted to others)
• NONBINARY - Doesn't identify as men or woman (usually use they/them pronouns)

• INTERSEX - Someone who is born with both female and male reproductive parts.
• HOMOPHOBIA - A phobia is usually refer to fear of something, but this term is commonly used as the disgust towards queer people.

ABUSE

MY BODY

LGBTQ+ TERMS

9

IF YOU OR SOMEONE GOES THROUGH THIS, TALK TO SOMEONE ASAP

• National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673
• Abuse is not the same as harassment.
• Harassment can be verbal, like catcalling or making comments that make you feel uncomfortable.
• Abuse goes beyond that.
• If you don't feel comfortable, say it, loud and clear, No means NO. If the person still doesn't understand, ask for help.
• It's okay to also change your mind after starting to have sex with someone.
• In the case that you, or someone else, goes through this, I want you to know that it is not your fault. The person that did this is the one to blame regardless if you were under alcohol or not.
• The first step is to talk to someone about it and report it, so the abuser is held accountable.
• It's okay if you don't want to report it, as long as you feel okay with it or not.
• You can always talk to me for more information! No questions asked

ALLY

SEXUALITY

SEXUAL ABUSE/HARASSMENT

10

HOW TO BE AN ALLY

LOVE IS LOVE!

• Be aware of your priviledge, and find a way to help others thought it.
• Engage in activism. Show your support for the community.
• Create a safe space for people to open up. Listen to their problems and be open to support them.
• Ask for pronouns, and use them. It's okay if you misgender someone at first, but if that person has previously told you about their pronouns, use them.
• If you don't know the pronoun, use they/them, regardless of their sex. Those are neutral pronouns.
• Respect someone's privacy.
• Don't assume! Always make sure they feel comfortable talking about they gender/sexuality.
• Society will tell you that this is not normal, and you NEVER believe this people. The LGBTQ+ community is based on acceptance and love. Love your LGBTQ+ peers and let them know they're safe with you. If it was the other way around, you would want support too.

MASCULINITY

ABUSE

11

Men are dumb...

Men are proud, and are told ever since they're kids that they need to be strong and suppress all "feminine traits." You are not the problem, it's the way they were taught.Growing up with brothers, I got to see the different treatment between them and me. Men are told to play sports and be the fastest or the strongest. If a men is define as "cute", it will be good seen by the women, but other men will call him names for it.If you encounter a situation where a guy is acting mean to you (or worst, he's good with you but when he's around others he's mean) I want you to know that you are not the issue, they are. There's nothing you can do to change them, and society will expect you to do so, but it is not up to you. It's up to them to want to change.In my opinion, a man can show more strength by showing their emotions rather than supressing them. A man shouldn't treat women like trash, they should be nice and, if a guy likes you, they should openly show affection to you.Society will tell you that "boys will be boys", but that's not fair, not for you and for every woman in this world.The right man will see you as a partner. The right man will be by your side and will show it. Do not make yourself smaller for a man.

CHILDBIRTH

ALLY

MASCULINITY VS TOXIC MASCULINITY

12

CHILDBIRTH

• It can be quick, or it can last more than 12 hours. Be prepare, but most importantly, have someone that's also prepared.
• You don't have to give birth in a hospital if you don't want to, but if you choose not to, you need to find a midwife and be informed on how the procedures at home look like.
• If you do it in a hospital, they will put an IV and supply a lot of different things, including a substance called Pitosin, which should be used only when necessary.
• Like I said, if you feel more comfortable giving birth at home, you can do it.
• You may choose to do a c-section or natural birth, but you have to talk to your OB-GYN about it.
• Natural birth has an easier healing process but it can take longer to be done with
• A c-section is a surgical procedure. It can take a whole month for you to heal properly, even more.
• Childbirth is an ugly process, it is tiring and hard to do. But there's nothing better than the moment when you first have your baby in your arms. It will all be worth it.
• Don't be afraid to ask for an epidural, it is painful. Trust me

LGBTQ+

CHILDBIRTH