
Although being independent is great, if you happen to have a stubborn streak, your determination may hinder you from reaching out for help when you need it. For whatever reason, asking for help has become synonymous with not being tough enough, but I’ll be the first to say, that’s just not true. So if you’re one of those girls who has to do everything herself, read my tips for how to reach out for help when you really do need it when you .

After working with your gynecologist to find a birth control method that’s better at preventing your terrible PMS and cramps, you’ve finally decided on one that sounds promising. And after taking it for only a few months, you notice some big changes, both good and bad. Would it be worse if .

It seems like many of you have the same
insecurity about your bodies that I do — my stomach, grr! Since we are so quick to self-deprecate, I'm back to turn the tables and talk about the things we do like about our bodies. It can be somewhat uncomfortable to toot your own horn, but go ahead, give yourself a confidence boost and tell me, what part of your body do you like the best?

No matter how beautiful or perfect you may think someone is, I can almost guarantee that they have their own set of insecurities just like you and me. While the female body is a beautiful form no matter what shape or size, it's really all about the way you feel inside in regard to how you look on the outside. And even though it's commonly just in our heads, most women I know have at least one part of their body that they wish could be smaller, tighter, leaner, prettier, or just plain different from what it currently is.

Dear Sugar,
My boyfriend and I have been together almost two years and our relationship took off quickly. I am not a materialistic person, but he goes out of his way to pamper me and buy me things — I think he thinks it's what makes me happy. I've told him that all I need is his love, but he still continues to shower me with gifts.

Dear Sugar,
I am in a relationship with a wonderful guy and the only problem we have is me — I cannot control my jealousy. I take
every look or stare he gives another woman as a demerit to myself, leaving me wondering why I'm not good enough. I know a look is just a look, but I can't help but take it personally.

Dear Sugar,
I recently met this guy who seems too good to be true. He's extremely attractive, exactly my type, intelligent, funny and single! We have been on a few dates but have only kissed.

Dear Sugar,
My boyfriend and I have been together for over a year now. When it came time to resign our leases last spring, we both did as we knew it was much too soon to live together. He is 27 and pretty much has his life together while I'm 22, have a ton of debt, and am contemplating going back to school.

Dear Sugar,
My boyfriend and I have been going out for almost five months now and a few weeks back I said those
three little words . . .

Dear Sugar,
I've known my
"best friend" for about eight years. We used to get along great, but lately she's been increasingly rude to me and I don't know how to react. She gradually began making undermining comments about me in front of other people, regarding both my intelligence and my body type, but when we hang out, just the two of us, she's the same old fun person that I befriended all those years ago.