No matter how you slice it, visiting the gyno is awkward. Not only do you have to expose yourself in the most unflattering way to your doctor (and the nurse who is required to be in there), but you gotta do it while he or she makes small talk from between your legs.

“How’s your day?”
“How are classes going?”
“How many sexual partners have you had?”

[Cue the look of disappointment and the lecture on safe sex.]

I don’t know about you, but whenever I walk into my gyno’s office I always feel the need to prepare her for what she’s about to see. “Uh, just so you know, it’s winter so, uhhhh, yeah, I haven’t really done much, uhhhh, maintenance down there in, erm, a few months.” She promises me she’s not looking and that she’s seen it all before and then she comes at me with some metal tools, one of which looks eerily similar to that thing you use to clean the toilet. And then it’s done. You put on your pants, she bids you adieu and you’re on your way….with a little less pep in your step than on your way in.

But sometimes things get even weirder (how could they not when you’re spread eagle with your junk in someone’s face?), like my most recent appointment involving a doctor who left me to grab a phone call mid-exam. (Let’s just say it was windy down there.) It was traumatizing, but upon telling my friends the story (who all thought it was just HILARIOUS), I learned that everyone’s had a particularly uncomfortable trip to the gyno. And I wanted to hear them. So this week I asked the CollegeCandy writers to share their most awkward and traumatizing gyno experiences. Hard to believe, but reading these hurts me more than an actual appointment.

Rachael – University of Miami: The first time I went to the gyno, she asked if I was sexually active. I looked at my mom, who I’d said could stay in the room, and the two of us burst out laughing. Obviously, the answer was no.

Brittany – University of Saint Thomas: I suppose my most awkward experience isn’t too brutal. But when the lady held up her metal instrument and said, “OK, I’m goin in” my soul shrunk a size.

Nina – Michigan State University: It was my first time, and she’s like “Are you sexually active?” And for a second, in the process of freaking out, I forgot what that meant. So I said no. It was the shortest gyno visit ever…

Sarabeth – University of Texas: My worst/most awkward gyno experience was my first one. I went to my mom’s doctor, so she felt the need to tag along and go into the room with me, and then when it came time to ask for a prescription of birth control I got lectured about how an unmarried girl such as myself shouldn’t need birth control… FROM THE DOCTOR.

Lauren – University of Michigan: I had extreme stomach pains one day so I went to the health center. The doctor there told me she had to rule out pregnancy and STDs (for a stomachache!?), so she did a pelvic exam on me and gave me an STD test. As I opened the door (which led into the waiting area), she handed me the lab work and said, “OK Lauren, take this gonorrhea test upstairs to the lab and they’ll get back to you.” I looked over and my T.A. was sitting in the waiting room. He waved. I waved. Then I ran away as fast as I could.

Alex – University of South Carolina:  I went for the first time when I was sixteen and she asked me if I was sexually active.  When I said no, she looked up at me from the exam and said, “Honey, maybe you can fool your mother, but I don’t believe that for a second.”  Sad part was, I was telling the truth.

Jessica – Delaware: When I was getting a pelvic exam at Student Health, the gyno decided I would be a good guinea pig for a brand new intern to practice on.  An intern with a shaky hand who had not had much (read: any) experience with a speculum or a vagina before. Needless to say, I walked funny for a couple of days, and not for a good reason.

Leah – Ryerson University: My boyfriend at the time left some marks on my chest after a weekend away and I got very disapproving looks from my doctor when I went in.

Alex – Lakehead University: I find the fact that my doctor delivered me and also does my gyno exams awkward. He’s seen me naked more than I care to think about!

Emmy-Loyola University Chicago: Male gynos just shouldn’t be allowed. Enough said.

Norah – Drake University: Mid-exam, my gyno tells me she hopes her daughter grows up to be a lot like me. It was sweet, but not exactly the best timing…

Sara C – Fordham: I was once told by a gyno that my “vagina doesn’t look pregnant.” Great to know, because (a) vaginas can’t get pregnant, and (b) I could better evaluate the thoroughness of the exam, which is to say not very.

Charlsie – Hollins University: Last time I had a pap smear, the nurse practitioner at my school told me I had herpes. She grabbed a mirror to show me, while I was all up in the stirrups and on the table, and then failed to point out exactly what she was talking about. Her reply was “Well, it was there a minute ago. Now it’s not — but I know you have it.” This was before she tested me or asked me any questions about my sexual history and background. Of course, I was hysterical even though I was about 99.9% sure there was no possible way I would have it. Sure enough, when the test came back — I didn’t have it. However, she called me to tell me about the results and said “Unfortunately, you don’t have herpes.” What kind of doctor wants a patient to have an STD?

Talking sex with your doctor isn’t always easy. Whether you are afraid she will judge you,  you just don’t feel comfortable sharing the intimate details of your life between the sheets, or you can’t think straight with a speculum between your legs, many people get tight lipped in the doctor’s office. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have questions.

We thought we’d help and every Thursday our friend Dr. Lissa Rankin will be answering your questions. The ones you couldn’t ask your doctor in person. Just leave your questions in the comments, or send em over to us. (We’ll keep it all anonymous for you.) Dr. Lissa will answer anything – really, anything – about sex and other lady things. Don’t be shy; she’s waiting for ya!

Q: I’m a little concerned about the way things smell and taste downtown. It’s not like anyone has told me anything is funky down there, but I’ve had lots of guys perform oral sex on me once and never do it again. What can I do to clean it up (you know, if that is the problem)?

A: Truth be told, it may have nothing to do with you at all.  Some guys are hesitant to give oral sex because they feel clueless.  Maybe they felt they didn’t pleasure you and question their technique? Did you communicate that you liked it? If they give it their all and you don’t appear to like it, this may trigger a guy’s own insecurities. So if you’re not doing this already, give him a few oohs and aahs to let him know you like his style.

If you’re already doing that, it’s possible that they guys don’t like your smell or taste. For some, it’s an acquired taste, but keep in mind: real men love giving a girl pleasure. If he’s not going down on you, it may have nothing to do with you. Some guys are just selfish and would rather focus on their own pleasure during sex. If that’s the case, there are plenty of guys that I’m sure are dying to go down on you. I suggest communicating with your partner. Ask why you’re not getting any. Be honest about how you feel and tell your partner that you like oral sex and want to get more of it.

 In case he admits that he doesn’t like your smell or taste, here are a few tips:

1. See a doctor to make sure you don’t have bacterial vaginosis, a vaginal infection that can make you smell suspiciously like salmon. (And not the delicious smoked variety.)

2. Shower before sex. What’s not to love about a freshly bathed coochie?

3. Use baby wipes after you pee or poo. They do a better job of removing potentially smelly bacteria than toilet paper alone.

4. Watch what you eat, drink and smoke. Although there’s not a lot of science behind it, rumor has it that what you eat affects how you smell and taste. Cigarettes, marijuana, and alcohol may make you taste bitter, while red meat, dairy, garlic, onion, curry, broccoli, asparagus, spinach and multivitamins may make you taste salty or sharp.  Vegetables high in chlorophyll, such as wheat grass, parsley, and celery are reputed to make you taste sweeter, as are spices like cinnamon, peppermint, cardamon, and lemon. Eating fruit may also sweeten your taste. Drinking lots of water helps too. Vegan diets, particularly diets high in raw vegetables and fruit, are reputed to make you taste fresh and sweet. Is this true? All I can say is that my husband swears that my taste improved after switching to a largely raw vegan diet.

5. If all else fails, try flavored lubricants. Chocolate pussy, anyone?

 If you feel insecure about how you might smell or taste, let me remind you that we all have our own smell and taste. Assuming you’re bathing and don’t have an infection, your lover should love your smell and taste, just the way it is. I’ll leave you with the wise words of Eve Ensler, author of The Vagina Monologues.

 “My vagina doesn’t need to be cleaned up. It smells good already. Don’t try to decorate. Don’t believe him when he tells you it smells like rose petals when it’s supposed to smell like pussy. That’s what they’re doing, trying to clean it up, make it smell like bathroom spray or a garden. All those douche sprays- floral, berry, rain. I don’t want my pussy to smell like rain. All cleaned up like washing a fish after you cook it. I want to taste the fish. That’s why I ordered it.”

 I say, “Amen, sister!”

–Dr. Lissa Rankin’s book, What’s Up Down There? Questions You’d Only Ask Your Gynecologist If She Was Your Best Friend, will be published by St. Martin’s Press in Fall 2010. She invites you to join her Pink online community (www.owningpink.com/forum) or read more of her writing at Owning Pink (www.owningpink.com).

Talking sex with your doctor isn’t always easy. Whether you are afraid she will judge you,  you just don’t feel comfortable sharing the intimate details of your life between the sheets, or you can’t think straight with a speculum between your legs, many people get tight lipped in the doctor’s office. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have questions.

We thought we’d help and every Thursday our friend Dr. Lissa Rankin will be answering your questions. The ones you couldn’t ask your doctor in person. Just leave your questions in the comments, or send em over to us. (We’ll keep it all anonymous for you.) Dr. Lissa will answer anything – really, anything – about sex and other lady things. Don’t be shy; she’s waiting for ya!

Q: This may sound really dumb, but when my doctor asks me if I’m sexually active, I never know how to answer. Have I had sex before? Yes. Am I having it now? No. (But I wish I were…) When I have it, is it with the same person? No. How do I answer this and, even more, is she judging me when I answer truthfully?

A: I know how confusing that question can be.  I once asked a woman if she was sexually active and she said no. I then discovered she was pregnant and confronted her. She said, “Well, I only have sex five times/week. I don’t think that’s very active.” So yes, the word “active” can be misleading.

When we docs ask if a woman is sexually active, here’s what we’re trying to figure out.

1. Does this woman need birth control?
2. If this woman is younger than 21, does she need a pap smear?
3. Is this woman at risk of a sexually transmitted infection?
4. Could this woman possibly be pregnant?
5. Is this woman still a virgin?
6. Does this woman engage in risky behaviors, such as having sex simultaneously with multiple partners?

So if your doctor asks you if you are sexually active, the easy answer, in your case, is, “I’ve had sex before with multiple partners, but I’m not currently in a relationship. The last time I had sex was six months ago (or whenever).”  That way, your doctor knows that you need a pap smear, you’re not a virgin, chances are good that you’re not pregnant, you do need to be tested for sexually transmitted infection, and you don’t need birth control right this minute, but you might very soon.

We thought we’d help and every Thursday our friend Dr. Lissa Rankin will be answering your questions. The ones you couldn’t ask your doctor in person and didn’t really trust the Yahoo community to answer for you. Just leave your questions in the comments, or send em over to us. (We’ll keep it all anonymous for you.) Dr. Lissa will answer anything – really, anything – about sex and other lady things. Don’t be shy; she’s waiting for ya!

Q: My period is irregular every month. Sometimes it comes 6 weeks apart and other times it can be up to 9.  I am not on birth control (can’t handle the side effects) and practice safe sex with my boyfriend. The problem is that I get freaked out every month that I’m pregnant. How soon can I take the test? Are there any signs I can look for that will either tell me I’m absolutely not pregnant or that maybe I am?

A: Sounds like your periods are annoying, unpredictable and scary. Bummer about that.  Chances are, if your periods are that irregular, that you’re not ovulating regularly, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have to worry about pregnancy. Your ovaries can still spit out an egg from time to time. When you’re not ovulating regularly, your uterus doesn’t know when to bleed, and your hormones can be all over the place.  Why might you be skipping periods or not ovulating?

Common Reasons for Irregular, Infrequent Periods:

- You exercise vigorously (think marathon runners and competitive gymnasts)
- You have an eating disorder.
- You’re overweight.
- You’re young and your body just hasn’t matured yet.
- You’re under a lot of stress.
- Your thyroid hormones are out of whack.
- You have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

What can you do about irregular, infrequent periods?

See your gynecologist. A thorough physical exam and laboratory evaluation are in order. If you can’t take birth control pills, progesterone therapy may help balance out your hormones, assuming there isn’t some other underlying cause.

In the mean time, what can you do about the pregnancy scares? That’s tricky. There’s no reliable sign to signal to you whether you’re definitely pregnant. Some people experience nausea, breast-tenderness, and fatigue in early pregnancy, but many women do not. Technically, a pregnancy test should be positive within two weeks of ovulation, but since you have no clue when or if you’re ovulating, that makes it tough to time taking pregnancy tests. You can try taking a pregnancy test four weeks after the first day of your last period, when you would expect your period to come if it was regular. If that’s negative, repeat it every two weeks after that until your next period comes.

But that’s just a band-aid. You’re better off getting to the root of the problem and seeing a doctor.  Good luck, honey. I hope you get it sorted out.

Talking sex with your doctor isn’t always easy. Whether you are afraid she or he will judge you,  you just don’t feel comfortable sharing the intimate details of your life between the sheets, or you can’t think straight with a speculum between your legs, many people get tight lipped in the doctor’s office. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have questions.

We thought we’d help and every Thursday our friend Dr. Lissa Rankin will be answering your questions. The ones you couldn’t ask your doctor in person and didn’t really trust the Yahoo community to answer for you. Just leave your questions in the comments, or send em over to us. (We’ll keep it all anonymous for you.) Dr. Lissa will answer anything – really, anything – about sex and other lady things. Don’t be shy; she’s waiting for ya!

Q: I’ve been on the pill (normal combination pill) for 3 years. I am very happy with it. I never miss a pill, but I take it at very different times during the morning. Does this decrease the effectiveness?

A: It’s always better if you can take your pill as close to the same time as possible, but if you normally take it at 8am and the next day, it’s not until 11am, that shouldn’t make much difference. The one exception is very low dose pills like Yaz and Mircette (pills with 20 micrograms of estrogen). In this case, it’s more important to try to remember to take your pill at the same time.

Q: I was also wondering, is it possible to use the pill with the Mirena IUD? Would you recommend it?

I hear you, sister. I’m assuming you DO NOT want to get pregnant! While I appreciate the sentiment, I would not recommend using a Mirena IUD with a birth control pill. Both contain hormones that act differently. And since both the Mirena IUD and oral contraceptives are highly effective, I don’t see the reason to assume the risks of both. If you’re particularly worried about pregnancy and want to use double protection, consider condoms plus the Pill or condoms plus an IUD. But adding two hormonal methods together can really mess up your system.  

Q: And finally, when I’m having sex with my boyfriend we sometimes start without condoms and then later he’ll pull out and put a condom on and continue. How effective is this in preventing pregnancy when used in combination with the pill? We’re in a monogamous relationship & have been tested, so I’m not worrying about STDs.

A: If you’re religious about taking the pill, and you’re using the withdrawal method and you’re sort of using condoms, chances are good that you will be protected from pregnancy. But mostly, that’s because of the Pill, which in and of itself is highly effective. In general, withdrawing before ejaculation is not an effective method of birth control because sperm are present in the pre-ejaculate released before orgasm.  So if you want to do everything possible to protect yourself, put the condom on before you start fooling around and leave it on until you’re done and can safely remove it.

It’s all about assessing your own personal risk tolerance. No birth control is 100%, which means that sex can always result in pregnancy. That said, it sounds like you’re being very conscientious to try to avoid an unwanted pregnancy, and I commend you for that.

Is your partner opposed to wearing a condom during sex? My gut tells me that maybe you would be feel a bit more comfortable if he did. If so, maybe it’s worth having a chat with him about this. Remember, it’s your body, and if anybody gets pregnant, it will be you. Listen to your heart, and honor your body.

Get to know more about Dr. Lissa on her website, www.owningpink.com

As you very well know by now, HPV is much more than just a few genital warts; it can lead to cervical cancer if left un-treated!

OB/GYN Dr. Lissa Rankin is passionate about educating women about and protecting women against HPV. She shared the following information with us:

Do you guys all know about HPV? It’s the Human PapillomaVirus, the virus that causes genital warts, abnormal pap smears, and cervical cancer. If it helps you remember it (or maybe just if it makes you laugh) call it Hot Pox of the Va Jay Jay. Whatever you call it, it’s important to fully comprehend the scope of this sexually transmitted disease, since, unless you vaccinate yourself, 75% of you will get it before the age of 50, if you haven’t already. Do ya hear me? 75%!!

Because HPV is a virus, there’s no real cure the way there is for most bacteria. Chlamydia, for example, requires only one dose of an antibiotic to cure it. But antibiotics don’t work for viruses. It’s basically up to your immune system to try to fight it. Sometimes the immune system wins and the virus goes away. Other times, the HPV is too strong, and BOOM. There it is. Cauliflower crotch. But warts are small potatoes as far as HPV goes; HPV can also cause abnormal pap smears, which, left untreated, can become cervical cancer.

Usually, it all starts with an abnormal pap smear, caused most commonly by HPV types 16 and 18. This is the type guys can give you which doesn’t cause a flippin’ thing for them. That’s why it’s SO important to get pap smears regularly. As long as you get your pap smear once a year, you shouldn’t ever get cancer, since we can treat it before it goes that far.

HPV is extremely infectious, with a transmission rate of 26% after a single unprotected sexual encounter. (If you use a condom, it’s safer, but it still doesn’t completely protect you). And with so many people carrying it, all it takes is one episode of intercourse. Now, that is a lot of information, so to help sort through the muddle, I’d like to debunk some myths about HPV.

Myth #1: Good girls don’t get HPV.
While most cases of HPV are sexually transmitted, even virgins can get HPV. How can that be? Because infected people shed the HPV virus from their genital region, so if your genitals are touching your partner’s genitals, you can catch the infection, even if you’re not having intercourse. So unless you’re both virgins who have never even fooled around with someone else, you can get HPV.

Myth #2: Condoms protect you from HPV.
While using condoms significantly decreases the risk of catching HPV, it doesn’t completely protect you. Since condoms only cover the skin of the penis, your girly parts can still come into contact with your partner’s testicles and surrounding skin, which can shed the HPV virus and cause transmission.

Myth #3: Men know if they have HPV.
While men who carry the strains that cause genital warts may know they carry HPV, many male HPV carriers have never had genital warts or any other symptoms. Also, because the strains of HPV that cause abnormal pap smears and cervical cancer do not cause problems for men, most men do not know they carry it. Which means they’re passing it around from woman to woman, like a nasty-ass beach ball. You gotta wonder when the guys says, “Oh, that’s so weird. ALL my girlfriends have had abnormal pap smears.” Duh, dude. It’s you! In the future, pending further study, the HPV vaccine may be available for boys too.

Myth #4: If your partner tested negative for sexually transmitted diseases, your partner doesn’t have HPV.
Most standard testing for STDs tests for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis B & C, and sometimes herpes. HPV is not routinely tested, even in women, unless a pap smear is abnormal.

Myth #5: If I get HPV, it will go away on its own.
While HPV can resolve spontaneously, it’s up to your immune system. If your immune systems fights it, it may go away. If not, HPV can take over, leading to warts, abnormal pap smears, and, if left untreated, cervical cancer.

Myth #6: I can’t get HPV if I’m only having oral sex.
If you aren’t rubbing your genitals together at all and only having oral sex, your risk is low. But some evidence suggests that HPV can infect the mouth and increase your risk of getting oral cancers later in life. Using condoms (for going down on a guy) and dental dams (for going down on a girl) may help reduce this risk.

Myth #7: Lesbians can’t get HPV.
Oh yes they can! While lesbian sex is less risky than guy-on-girl sex, it’s still possible to get genital warts or abnormal pap smears from genital-to-genital contact when one partner is shedding the HPV virus.

Things were busy over here, too. We discovered the guys not worth holding onto, and the perfect vibrator that is. We began to understand why crazy sex positions are totally worth it, and why sex on the beach is a must-do for 2009.

We found a totally hot new band that will change the way you think about music, learned the 14 truths about men, and laughed with the funniest ladies out there.

We found out that guys get Brazilians (?), argued the merit of leggings, and filled our entire closet with new clothes….for free!

We took our first trip to the gyno, learned a ton of new euphemisms for sex, and sought out some not-so-obvious places to meet a man. We looked back at our favorite things from middle school.

We hated/loved Facebook.

And we dipped our toes in the Cougar pool.

2008 was a good year. Here’s hoping 2009 can be as much fun (both in the bedroom and out of it).

I work out 5 days a week. I do the elliptical, I Spin, I take random classes and I even lift weights. It is important for me to stay healthy and fit. Of course, there are the shallow reasons, as well. I really love my black skinny pants. And I want to be at my sexiest when I hit the town in search of a man.

I have learned the importance of varying my workouts – it truly is the best way to hit all muscle groups and get a total body workout. And I thought I was getting every last muscle (at least that’s how it feels the day after a grueling Pilates class when I can barely laugh, let alone move), but according to Dr. Lauri Romanzi, a gynecologist in NYC, I am missing one very important muscle.

In my vagina?

(My gym doesn’t offer those kinds of classes, damn it!)

Dr. Romanzi is behind a new kind of “health” spa called, Phit (pelvic health integrated techniques). She believes that women need to keep their va-jays fit (or, phit, I suppose) in order to improve bladder control and, of course, orgasms. “If you can vote and you have a vagina, you should do these,” she told the New York Times. “It’s the dental floss of feminine fitness.”

Hm. I am not sure I would like to equate dental floss to exercises for my pelvic region. I also can’t wrap my mind around the idea that getting a pelvic exam (for a mere $150!) really goes along with the idea of a relaxing spa. I get those things once a year and, frankly, that is more than enough for me.

What is wrong with our society that places like this even exist? We sit here fighting the fashion industry for setting ridiculous standards for bodies. We watch as millions of women get their boobs done, their faces lifted and their fat sucked out of their thighs. And now, this? A freaking vagina spa?

Maybe we should devote ourselves to issues that really matter. Like the AIDs epidemic, or fertility issues. Maybe Dr. Romanzi could use her knowledge and talents to help women who can’t afford prenatal care, instead of catering to the rich with ridiculous ploys to make more money and, more importantly, make women find yet another thing about themselves that needs to be “fixed.”

[Photo courtesy of Hyatt.com]

So, when I go out and meet a strapping young lad…and find myself sleeping soundly next to him the following morning, I never question it, or myself. And my friends don’t question it either. I am having fun. I am enjoying my freedom. I am making some fantastic memories.

I am a mature, responsible young lady; I may break the rules my mother lived by, but at least I am doing it carefully.

Sharing my sexual exploitations with my friends is so natural – as are their reactions of excitement, glee and interest in the details. We are in our 20’s, having a good time; this is not who we are, it is simply something fun that we may do. I am not saying that we collect sexual partners like I collect shoes; we are just having a grand ole’ time.

A few weeks ago I visited my doctor for my yearly pelvic exam. (Ew.) Before the doctor got down to…business…she performed the mandatory gyno interrogation.

“Are you sexually active?” She asked.

I quickly thought back to the previous Saturday night. The 6’4 basketball player. The cab-ride to his place. The cab-ride home the next day.

“Sporadically?” I laughed.

My friends would have found that answer hilarious. The doctor did not.

Though she tried to hide her personal feelings, the look on her face was one full of shock and concern. The silence was deafening. I quickly retreated.

“No. No, right now I am not sexually active.” Which was partially true. At that moment I was definitely not having sex.

My doc quickly began lecturing me on the HPV vaccine and birth control. Then she asked me if I wanted a pregnancy test. For the love of God – is casual sex really that serious? It dawned on me then that perhaps not everyone feels the way about sex and the sowing of wild oats as I do. I get so used to hanging out with people just like me that I seemed to have forgotten what my lifestyle looks like from the outside.

I don’t care, necessarily; it’s my life and I am enjoying it to the fullest. But it did make me stop and think for a moment. About the possibility of being pregnant, mostly (oy), but also abut the way I present myself to others. I know I am not a slut, but is it possible to enjoy myself without others labeling me that way?

I mean, on the scale of slutty-ness, I’d have to say my ranking is very low…but for some reason, after being quizzed on my sexual past I’m always left feeling like a $2 hooker that hangs out on 42nd street.

The HPV vaccine seems too good to be true and yes, it only protects you from four strains of HPV (and there’s about 100) but I say that four is still better than zero, no? Anyway, they make you “talk” to the gynecologist before you get the first shot to make sure you’re a good candidate for the vaccine (must be 26 or younger, etc.).

The gyno asked me “when was the last time you were tested for AIDS and STD’s?”

Me: “About eight months ago”

Gyno: “No new partners since then?”

Me: “Err….ummm…no. I guess not…”

It hit me then. My vagina is closed for business. So closed for business, in fact, that it actually kind of hurt when she inserted the speculum (ew, gross…I know). I don’t really have a reason for why I’ve gotten so little action in the last year. I can only chalk it up to the fact that I’ve never been one for casual sex and I don’t meet many guys that I actually find all that interesting.

My friends joke that I have the highest standards of anyone they know and that I’ll never find anyone to meet these said standards. Well I say fuck that. If I can’t find a guy that I can actually have a conversation with AND be attracted to then I’ll just continue on with the next two HPV shots in hopes that sometime in the next 10 years, I WILL find someone to be prepared for. Keeping the dream alive, kids…