This is something that mainly happens to boys are they go through puberty.  If at night they have a sexy dream their penis releases some semen whilst they are sleeping. When the boy wakes up he may notice that an area of the bed or his PJ bottoms are a little wet. It's perfectly normal and another part of becoming a young adult for boys. 

Sex is a word that people use in different ways. Some think it only means when a penis goes into a vagina (sexual intercourse), but others use it to describe lots of things, like touching someone else in a way that feels good or even touching yourself. It’s a big topic, and people often have different ideas about it.

You don’t need to know everything right now, this is something you’ll learn more about in school as you get older. What’s most important is understanding respect, consent, and healthy relationships. These are the building blocks for any conversation about sex, and they help keep everyone safe and comfortable.

Hi Meg, it’s great that you and your boyfriend enjoy spending time together. But relationships are about compromise and listening to each other. Let him know you care about him, but being intimate every single day isn’t something you need. There are lots of other ways to feel close, like cuddling or hanging out.

If he isn’t okay with that, then he’s not respecting your feelings, and you deserve to be heard without feeling guilty.

Hi, puberty can continue into your late teens and even for some areas of development into your twenties, so please try not to worry this is all perfectly normal and as your body matures it will learn to manage these dreams much better.

Yes, in some instances you can still get pregnant if you have sexual intercourse when on your period, this is because during your teenage years your cycle can be very erratic and the days when an egg is released can vary. My advice would be to visit your doctor or local sexual health clinic like BPAS and they will not only be able to assist you with a pregnancy test, but also advise you on the best form of contraception for you, including condoms.

I'm really sorry you're going through this. You're not alone, and there are people who care and want to help you. It's very important that you speak to a trusted adult like a parent, teacher, school nurse, or helpline such as Childline as soon as possible. They can support you in getting the help you need, including taking a proper pregnancy test and talking to someone about what happened.

Also, please know that at-home methods like the salt and pee test are not reliable ways to check for pregnancy. They’re just myths and can’t give you accurate results. The only way to know for sure is by using a real pregnancy test from a pharmacy or visiting a doctor or clinic.

You deserve to feel safe and supported. Please don’t try to handle this on your own there are professionals who can help you through this, both emotionally and physically.

You're incredibly brave for speaking up, and you deserve care, respect, and protection, I do hope you will feel brave enough to take this next step.

No matter your sexuality, being intimate with someone should always involve feeling safe and at ease in your surroundings. There are no fixed rules about what you should or shouldn’t do, just be yourselves, take things at your own pace, and you might be surprised by how naturally things come to you

Hi, masturbation is both a natural and instinctive activity, as teenagers find themselves becoming sexually aware of their body and how it responds to touch it is very normal to feel curious about exploring your body in this way.

It’s not harmful to your health, and how often you choose to do it is completely up to you.

But if you’re starting to wonder whether it’s more out of boredom or habit, it might help to make a few small changes, like keeping your bedroom door open more often, or spending a bit more time in shared family spaces. Sometimes just being around others can help shift your focus.

If you've taken a few contraceptive pills late, it's important to know that this doesn't always guarantee full protection against pregnancy, especially if you were also unwell with a stomach upset, which can affect how well the pill is absorbed.

Since you had unprotected sex around that time and are now noticing possible pregnancy symptoms, it would be a good idea to take a pregnancy test. Some newer tests can give you an accurate result even before your period is due, so you don’t have to wait too long to find out.

Yes, this product is designed to be used during intercourse, but please look at the forms of contraception you currently use to ensure they are compatible.

Hi, thank you for trusting me with something so personal.
Let’s take this in two parts, because both your feelings and your health matter.

First, I’m really sorry to hear that the boy you were intimate with has cheated on you. That’s a painful betrayal, especially when you’ve shared something so personal and vulnerable. If this has happened more than once, my instinct as a caring adult is to gently encourage you to walk away from this relationship. You deserve someone who respects you, values you, and treats you with kindness.

Now, about the pregnancy worry, this is really important.
If you didn’t use contraception (like condoms or birth control), then yes, there is a chance you could be pregnant. The best thing to do right now is to take a pregnancy test. You can get one from most pharmacies, supermarkets, or even your local doctor’s surgery or sexual health clinic. They’re usually easy to use and give quick results.

Once you know the result, you’ll be in a better position to decide what to do next. And please remember you don’t have to go through this alone. There are people who care and want to support you, whether that’s a trusted adult, a nurse, or a counsellor.

Hi, since you believe you were in your ovulation phase and there’s a chance the condom may not have worked perfectly, it could be a good idea to consider taking the morning after pill.

It’s designed to help prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or contraceptive issues, and taking it can give you peace of mind for this cycle. If you’re unsure or feeling anxious, it’s always best to speak with a pharmacist, doctor, or trusted adult who can guide you through your options.

Babies are made when a sperm cell from a male and an egg cell from a female join together. This usually happens during a process called fertilisation, which takes place inside the female’s body. The sperm travels to meet the egg, and if one sperm successfully joins with the egg, it creates a fertilised egg.

This tiny cell then starts dividing and growing. It travels to the uterus (a special part of the female body where babies grow) and attaches itself to the wall. Over time, it develops into an embryo, then a foetus, and eventually becomes a baby.

Hi, if there is talk of your friend may being sent to a conversion camp in Ireland, this is a very serious situation. While conversion therapy is not yet banned in Ireland, it is widely condemned by medical and mental health professionals. Forcing someone into this kind of environment, especially at such a young age, could be seen as emotional abuse or coercion. It’s incredibly brave of you to speak up, and there are organisations that can help both of you.

The best first step is to contact a trusted LGBT support service. These groups offer confidential help and can guide you on what to do next, including whether to involve child protection services or the Gardaí. If your friend feels safe enough, she can reach out directly, or you can help her do it.

 Support Services in Ireland

• BeLonG To Youth Services
  📍 www.belongto.org
  📞 01 670 6223
  📧 info@belongto.org

• LGBT Ireland
  📍 www.lgbt.ie
  📞 National LGBT Helpline: 1800 929 539
  📞 Trans Family Support Line: 01 907 3707
  💬 Online chat available

• Childline (for anyone under 18)
  📍 www.childline.ie
  📞 1800 66 66 66 (free, 24/7)
  💬 Online chat and text support

It’s surprising that your school doesn’t include gay relationships in sex education. In many places, lessons still focus mainly on puberty and heterosexual relationships often because of national guidelines or teachers not feeling confident. That might be why it hasn’t come up. If you feel comfortable, you could ask your teacher or school why LGBTQ+ topics aren’t included. Sex education should represent all genders and sexualities so that everyone feels seen, respected, and informed.

Hi, here’s the thing about being intimate with someone, in my view: just because you're legally old enough to have sex doesn’t mean you have to.

It’s really important that both people feel ready, not just physically, but emotionally too. If you do decide to take that step, your first conversation should be about contraception and staying safe. Visiting a sexual health clinic together can be a great way to get advice, free products, and support. They’ll also help you understand that there’s no rush and no pressure, you’re allowed to take your time.

Hi, masturbation is the term used to describe when someone touches their genitals and explores the way their body feels when touched. It's quite common in teens, as they make the journey into adulthood, many people do not feel the need to do this too and that's fine too!

Hi, masturbating will have absolutely no impact on your periods, they are not linked at all.

Hi, first of all, thank you for being so open, what you’re feeling is really normal, and lots of people go through something similar during puberty.

Sometimes, having a crush on a friend comes from admiring them deeply how kind they are, how they make you feel, or how much you enjoy being around them. And during puberty, your brain and body are learning how to deal with all kinds of new feelings, so it can be confusing at times.

Here’s a gentle way to think about it:

• Crushes on friends happen a lot, and they don’t always mean you want a relationship, sometimes it’s just about how much you care.
• You’re doing the right thing by respecting your friendship and not wanting to make things awkward.
• My advice? Keep being a great friend and give it some time, maybe 6 to 12 months. You might find that your feelings change or fade, or you might understand them better.
• If your feelings stay strong, chances are your friend may have already picked up on it, and you’ll find a way to talk about it when the time feels right.

You don’t need to rush or figure everything out right now. Just be kind to yourself and keep enjoying your friendship that’s what matters most 

It’s completely normal to be curious about your body as you grow up, especially during your pre-teen and teen years. Learning how your body feels is part of understanding yourself, but it’s something private that should always be done safely, respectfully, and never because someone else tells you to. Your body belongs to you, and you deserve to feel safe and confident in it.