A woman's primary concern when engaging in any sexual activities is her safety. Taking precautions will help alleviate your fears toward being emotionally or physically harmed. Whether you have a fear of getting pregnant, of losing your virginity, or your parents finding out, securing your safety will help manage all of them.  You have control over your body. Avoid those things that cause you to lose control like alcohol or drugs. Make sure you feel comfortable and are ready for sexual activity. Always make sure someone knows where you are when there is a potential to engage in sexual activity with someone. Guard against pregnancy by using a form of birth control. The fear of getting pregnant can motivate you to make good choices. ” Sexual assault, dating or domestic violence, and stalking are very serious matters. As a woman, or anyone, you must be clear about your intentions when faced with a possible sexual encounter. You have the ability to stop an interaction at any time. When you say, “No!” and “Stop” it means “Stop!” Look out for yourself as if you were looking out for your best friend. If you sense danger  in any situation, always follow your intuition. Be comfortable with changing  your plans, your mind, and those you date. Trust your instincts. The important thing to remember is you must trust the person you are with so you can make clear, well-informed decisions.

Summary: Make sure you are safe. Assert your right to say, “no.


A life estate usually refers to a transaction related to property, such as a home, where the homeowner sells or gives the property to their children (or someone else) but maintains the right to live in the house until they die.  The person who sells their home but maintains a life interest is referred to as the “life tenant.” The person(s) who will receive the house upon the death of the life tenant is called the "remainderman." There are several reasons why a person may create a life estate. These include:  The homeowner wants to avoid probate for their children. By creating a life estate, the property avoids probate and the remainderman immediately becomes the owner of the property upon the life tenant’s death. The property receives a step-up in basis. This means that when the government calculates capital gains taxes, value is calculated from the date of death, not from the date the original party acquired the property. Typically, there will be a greater increase in value from the date the property was acquired and therefore the tax owed on a property when sold would be much higher. By establishing a life estate, a parent could significantly reduce the amount of capital gains that a child has to pay.  A life estate may also be useful to qualify for medical assistance such as Medicaid, which limits the amount of assets you can own if you want support to pay a nursing home. The legal rules involving Medicaid are very complicated and you should contact a trust and estates attorney or an elder law attorney to assist you in making this determination. Before entering into a life estate, it is important for you to understand and weigh the drawbacks of a life estate against any potential benefits. These drawbacks may include:  Selling property subject to a life estate is very difficult. While you maintain the right to live in the home, when you enter a life estate, you give up your right to sell or mortgage your home without the consent of all remaindermen. If the remaindermen refuse to agree to a sale, you are unable to sell the property.  A remainderman’s legal problems could impact the property. Since the remainderman has a legal interest in the property, if they run into financial trouble, a lien could be placed on the property while the life tenant is still alive. While the claims may impact the property, a life tenant cannot be forced to leave the property.  A life estate may impact your ability to receive medical assistance to pay for nursing home care or in-home care. If you grant a life estate, you may be restricted or ineligible from receiving government assistance through Medicaid for up to five years.

Summary: Understand the purpose of a life estate. Examine the benefits of a life estate. Consider the drawbacks of a life estate.


This type of x-ray is called a hysterosalpingography, and most doctors recommend you have one before you are artificially inseminated. The purpose of the test is to make sure you have at least one functioning fallopian tube.  Before the test, a technician will use a speculum in your vagina and then will clean out your cervix. He or she will next inject a dye into your cervix with a catheter. An x-ray is then taken with the dye in your uterus and fallopian tubes. If your tubes are open, then dye can be seen spilling out of them on the x-ray. Basically, the procedure will feel much like a pap smear. If you have abnormal results, you may need to get treatment before proceeding with insemination. It's possible you may not be able to go through with insemination at all, but your doctor will discuss your options with you.  Some possible complications this test might show include obstructed fallopian tubes, scarring, polyps or tumors, intrauterine adhesion, or a development disorder in your uterus or fallopian tubes. On a positive note, the results might be normal, as well. While not all locations require this step, you may need to have tests done for sexually transmitted diseases before being inseminated. In addition, if your partner is providing sperm, he will need to be tested too.  Tests can take up to a week to come back, so you'll need to do this well in advance of your insemination appointment. As you will need to be tested for a wide range of diseases, you will likely need to provide a urine sample, as well as have a swab test done of your genital area. In addition, you'll likely need a blood test. Some people choose to try insemination the first time without the addition of fertility drugs, especially if they're having normal periods. Others choose to go ahead and try fertility drugs. One of the main fertility drugs, clomiphene citrate (Clomid), works to help you release eggs when you ovulate.  This drug is mainly for women who are having trouble releasing eggs at all. For example, women with PCOS often have this problem. This drug is usually taken starting at day 3 or 5 of your period, for 5 days in a row. Day 1 of your period is when first bleed. If you don't have regular periods, you may be given a drug to start your period. One consideration is that fertility drugs increase your chances of having more than one baby at once, which makes your pregnancy more dangerous. The risk of multiples with Clomid is 7%, while it is only 1% when trying to conceive without medication. Talk to your doctor about whether this drug is an appropriate choice for you.
Summary: Expect an x-ray of your uterus and fallopian tubes. Discuss the results. Be ready for a test for sexually transmitted diseases. Decide whether you will use fertility drugs.