Ask the Doc: Answers to Questions Teens Ask

Your weight will continue to change as you grow. No need to eat one particular food group, it is best to eat from all the food groups on a regular basis. Do not skip meals. You will likely put on more weight after puberty, or possibly during college.

There is no medication/supplement to slow your metabolism. The best, and healthiest, thing you can do, is eat frequently and include all the food groups. If you exercise, take in a few more calories on those days.

Please see previous answer to underweight question. Your weight will continue to change as you grow. Eating a healthy diet containing all the food groups is the most important thing you can do to maintain a healthy weight. Do not skip meals and try to eat less junk food.
If the problem continues, or you begin to lose weight, you may need to see a nutritionist or your doctor.

Not to worry, this is much more common than you think. Seminal leakage (leaking small amounts of semen) whether you have an erection or not, happens quite often. There was some thought that the frequency of masturbation (how often you masturbate) could lead to leakage. (ie more masturbation leads to more leakage). It is not clear if this is true for everyone.

More importantly, if you are sexually active, this may be a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI). Sometimes the only symptom is leakage. You will need to be tested (a simple urine test by your doctor, Public Health or Planned Parenthood). If you have an STI, you will need antibiotics.

Seminal leakage generally lessens with time, but if it does not, or gets worse, please see you doctor.

There are many different types of headaches, and many causes of headaches. The most common types are migraine, tension, and cluster. The causes can range from the benign (lack of sleep/too much sleep, diet, stress, hormones, alcohol, smoking, caffeine) to the more serious (metabolic disorders, anemia, head/neck trauma, brain tumors). It’s difficult to know what exactly is causing your headaches without a full history and physical exam.

That being said, if this is brand new, getting worse and/or effecting your daily activities or studies, you need to see a doctor. Often times it can be a change in diet, sleep patterns or stress level. If it does not improve soon, you definitely need to be seen by a medical professional. Some types of headaches (eg. migraines) run in families, and this can predispose you to getting them as well.

It does sound as though you may have developed a sleep disorder. These are fairly common and can be very disruptive. The only way to know is to be tested. The causes are many and can range from teeth grinding (bruxism), anxiety, emotional stress, depression, medications, or other medical problems.

Sleep disorders can be very disruptive to your overall mental and physical health. As you have noted, your grades and ability to participate in sports can be affected, as well as your mood, weight, and overall ability to function.

I would address this again with your parents as you should be seen by a doctor. You can also try speaking with the school counselor. In the meantime, other things you can try are not eating right before bed, decreasing your caffeine intake (soda, coffee, tea, NO energy drinks) to one drink a day or less, reading at bedtime, and practicing relaxation techniques.

This is the most common hereditary bleeding disorder. You lack the von Willebrand factor, and although type 2 is not always life-threatening (there are type 2 sub-groups), you cannot donate blood. It is a contraindication to blood donation as well as a risk for you.

With unprotected sex, there is always a chance you could be pregnant, regardless of the time of the month.  Even if you are currently on your period, YOU CAN STILL GET PREGNANT.

It is NOT true, however, that when your ovaries hurt, you get pregnant. Your ovaries can hurt for many reasons. Ovulation (when your ovary releases an egg), ovarian cysts, ectopic pregnancy (tubal pregnancy), sexually transmitted diseases, or twisting of the ovary (torsion) can all cause pain.

You may need an ultrasound to determine the cause of your ovarian pain if it is severe. If,  however, you have had unprotected sex, you definitely need to start with a pregnancy test.

Highly unlikely. Should things progress, however, you are going to want to think about birth control/protection.

As an important reminder, birth control pills do not protect you from HIV or other STD’s. Having said that, when switching from one type of pill to another, it’s best to completely finish the pack of your original pill before starting the new one.

Additionally, you should use another form of protection for 7 days while starting the new pill.

Yes. The average teen girl will have irregular periods (missed period, heavy period, light period, more than one period/month) fairly often. Irregular periods are due to hormonal changes which can be caused by stress, diet, weight gain, weight loss or medications.

 However, if you are sexually active, you need a pregnancy test. Using protection during sex is also important as it protects not only against unwanted pregnancy, but sexually transmitted diseases as well.