Recovering from a Sexting Incident

Sexting has become such a widespread problem in our world today that has hurt so many people. Many who have fallen victim to this often feel vulnerable to everyone around them, like they have no one to turn to and no way out of the situation. If you happen to be one who has walked through this or know someone who has, we want you to know that you’re not alone in this and there is hope for you.

Sexting usually refers to sending nude or partially nude photos by text message. Of course, it can also happen over social media platforms and with laptop webcams. Research shows that approximately 1 in 7 teenagers reports sending sex-texts (sexts) and about 1 in 4 teens report receiving sexts.

So what happens after a sext is sent or received?

As we explained in another blog post on this topic, sometimes sexts are used for cyberbullying or revenge porn, sometimes sext photos are obtained by sexual predators, and sometimes law enforcement becomes involved because sexual or nude images of people under the age of 18 are illegal.

Maybe you sent a sext and now regret it because of the fallout. Or maybe you received a sext that ended up causing a lot of problems for you. What do you do now?

If you sent a sext and quickly lost control of the situation —

First, we want you to know that nobody deserves to be bullied, manipulated, blackmailed, or preyed upon. Even if you willingly made the choice to send a photo to someone you trusted, you don’t deserve to be mistreated. Yes, sending sexts is risky, but that doesn’t mean you deserve to be harmed. The person who posted or shared your pictures without your permission has intentionally hurt you, and that is wrong.

If your embarrassing or compromising photo ended up in the hands of people you never meant to see you, it’s normal for you to be upset or feel humiliated. Your pain and embarrassment can be made worse by people who victim-blame and shame. If that has happened to you, we’re so sorry. No one deserves to be treated this way.

So what can you do? Well, if someone has publicly shared an image you intended to be private, you may be able to take legal action. Some states have enacted revenge porn laws and most states have laws against sextortion — if you’re a minor and someone coerced you to send a nude picture of yourself. Before you talk to police, research your state laws because some states prosecute teens who send nude photos of themselves, charging them with child pornography distribution. And obviously – you don’t want to open yourself up to that. If this has happened to you, talk to your parents, a teacher, or a counselor. Your local legal aid office may also be able to answer some questions over the phone and give you some advice.

More important than legal action, though, is your need to take care of yourself emotionally and mentally. If you haven’t already, talk to an adult you can trust — a parent, a counselor, a pastor, a teacher. This can be a very traumatic experience and trying to hide or fix things on your own without help may lead to further harm to you. Find someone who will support you, encourage you, and love you through this.

We know this may seem like the end of the world — and that’s totally understandable. But fortunately, our culture’s attention spans are pretty short. Within a few days, there will be some new drama taking over social media and the gossip in your town. Hang in there. The emotions and thoughts you’ve experienced as a result of this won’t last forever. It takes time to heal.

If you received a sext and quickly lost control of the situation –

First, if you’re in legal trouble, seek counsel from a lawyer. A good lawyer will advise you of your rights and your best options.

But aside from the legal aspect, you may be living with a lot of guilt or shame right now. It’s important for you to know that you will recover from this. Even when our mistakes seem overwhelming, we can move forward.

It may help you to talk to a professional counselor or therapist. Either one can help you process all the emotions you might be experiencing. They can also help you find appropriate ways to apologize to anyone you may have hurt or harmed.

Whether you sent a sext you’ve come to regret or whether you received a sext and caused someone else harm, this doesn’t have to be the defining moment of your life. You’re so much more than this one thing. You are so valuable – worthy of love, of forgiveness, of respect.

If you need someone to talk to, we’re here for you. Call us and one of our staff members will listen and help you find the resources you need to walk through this.

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How Does Abortion End My Pregnancy?

May 29, 2026

If you’ve recently learned you are pregnant unexpectedly, we understand how overwhelming this might feel right now. If you're considering abortion as an option, taking time to understand how the process works is important so you can make an informed decision. Collage is here to help provide you with confidential support and abortion information at no cost. We offer a safe space, free of judgment, where you can think calmly about your options, receive lab-quality pregnancy testing, and get a complimentary ultrasound so you can get the facts around your pregnancy and learn what options are available to you. Schedule your free appointment today. Medical Abortion Medical abortion, also known as the abortion pill, ends a pregnancy by using two drugs taken at different times. The first pill, mifepristone, works by blocking progesterone and causes the embryo’s death. The second drug, called misoprostol, is usually taken a day or two after and causes the uterus to contract, expelling the pregnancy tissue through cramping and bleeding. Common side effects can include bleeding and cramping, bleeding with blood clots, and a low-grade fever. Medical abortion is only approved through ten weeks of gestation by the FDA . Follow-up care is typically recommended after a medical abortion to make sure the process is complete. Surgical Abortion Surgical abortion terminates a pregnancy in a clinic or medical setting and involves removing pregnancy tissue from the uterus through a suction device or a tool called a curette. This can also be called dilation and evacuation or dilation and curettage . Common side effects of surgical abortions are bleeding and cramps. You may also have a late or early period as your uterus has to build a new lining after the procedure. What Are The Risks Of Abortion? Medical and surgical abortion both have possible risks that you should be aware of. Some women may also experience emotional responses afterward. Complications that can arise from abortion are: Infection. Scar tissue on the uterine wall, known as Asherman's syndrome . Heavy bleeding that may not stop. Diarrhea and digestive pain. An incomplete abortion. Confirm Your Pregnancy With An Ultrasound Before making a pregnancy decision, it is important to verify your pregnancy with an ultrasound. An ultrasound provides important medical details such as how far along you are, the location of the pregnancy, and whether a heartbeat is detected. These details are important since the abortion pill is not FDA-approved for over ten weeks, and it also rules out ectopic pregnancy, which requires urgent medical attention. As many as 26% of all pregnancies end in a miscarriage, and you can still get a positive pregnancy test result for days or weeks after a miscarriage because it takes time for hCG to leave the body. An ultrasound will confirm whether or not you have miscarried. We provide no-cost pregnancy services at our center, including limited OB ultrasounds, so you can get informed about your pregnancy and options. Get Pregnancy Support at College If you're considering your next step after learning you are unexpectedly pregnant, we are here to give you a safe place to ask questions and learn more about your options. Collage provides confidential appointments and no-cost pregnancy services, including medical-grade pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and STD testing . You don’t have to figure this out alone. We are here to listen. Schedule your free confidential appointment to learn more about your options. Collage does not provide or refer for abortions; however, we do offer pre-abortion screening through our no-cost services.

What Are the Side Effects of the Abortion Pill?

April 21, 2026

Facing an unexpected pregnancy brings up a lot of questions, and it makes complete sense that you want to understand every option before deciding anything. If you're considering the abortion pill, knowing what it actually involves, including its side effects, is an important part of making a decision based on the facts. You don't have to sort through this alone. Schedule a no-cost appointment with Collage today to get your questions answered. How the Abortion Pill Works The abortion pill uses two drugs taken in sequence. The first, mifepristone, blocks progesterone, a hormone that supports the growth and development of the pregnancy. Without it, the pregnancy detaches from the uterine lining. The second drug, misoprostol, is typically taken at home and causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy tissue. Heavy bleeding and cramping will be part of this process, and some women have described the pain as more severe than they anticipated. Side Effects to Know Beyond bleeding and cramping, the abortion pill can also cause these side effects : Upset stomach Vomiting Diarrhea Headache Fever Chills These side effects vary from woman to woman, which is one reason having a healthcare provider involved matters. Without medical oversight, it can be difficult to know what's within the range of normal and what requires immediate attention. Your personal health history also plays a role in how your body responds. Speaking with a medical professional before proceeding is an important step in protecting your well-being. Why an Ultrasound Matters First Before considering any pregnancy option, an ultrasound provides information that a pregnancy test simply cannot. It can confirm whether the pregnancy is progressing, rule out an ectopic pregnancy , and tell you how far along you are. The FDA approves the abortion pill only through 10 weeks gestation, making that last detail a critical piece of information for your safety. We're Here for You Whatever you're feeling right now, there’s no pressure here. At Collage, we genuinely care about you and want to make sure you have everything you need to make a sound decision. We offer lab-quality pregnancy testing and limited obstetrical ultrasounds, and our team is ready to talk through all your options, parenting, adoption, and abortion, in a warm, supportive environment. Schedule your no-cost appointment today. We're so glad you reached out. Collage does not provide or refer for abortions; however, we do offer pre-abortion screening through our no-cost services. All abortion information in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.

3 Things to Know if You Are Considering Mail-Order Abortion

March 26, 2026

Facing an unexpected pregnancy can bring a lot of emotions, and often, a sense of urgency to make a decision quickly. You may have seen options online to order abortion pills by mail and wondered if it’s a simple solution. Before making a decision, it’s important to understand how this option could affect your health and what steps you can take to make a fully informed decision. 1. Your Health Should Always Come First Mail-order abortion often skips important medical safeguards. In many cases, there is no in-person evaluation before receiving the drugs. That means key health factors, such as your medical history and potential risks, will not be fully considered. There can also be uncertainty about the source of the drugs, including how they were handled, stored, or dosed. In fact, the FDA does not recommend this option because the drugs’ quality, safety, and effectiveness cannot be guaranteed. Taking time to understand your health first is a smart and proactive way to protect yourself. 2. You Need Clear Answers About Your Pregnancy A pregnancy test alone doesn’t give you the full picture. Before considering abortion, it’s important to confirm details about your pregnancy through an ultrasound. An ultrasound can tell you: How far along are you? Whether the pregnancy is developing (or if you’ve miscarried ) Where the pregnancy is located These details matter more than you might think. Abortion pills are FDA-approved only through 10 weeks of gestation, and without accurate dating, it’s possible to miscalculate how far along you are. An ultrasound can also detect an ectopic pregnancy , which occurs outside the uterus and requires immediate medical attention. Abortion pills will not treat this condition. What’s more, if you’ve experienced a miscarriage, you may require medical follow-up to prevent complications. Getting these details first helps ensure your safety. We offer limited OB ultrasounds following positive lab-quality pregnancy testing with us. 3. It’s Important to Understand the Process and Risks Mail-order abortion may sound straightforward, but it’s important to know what it may actually involve. The process includes significant cramping and bleeding as the body expels the pregnancy, with some women describing the pain as being unexpectedly severe . Other side effects can include: Nausea or vomiting Fever or chills Diarrhea Headaches There are also potential risks , such as heavy bleeding, infection, or an incomplete abortion that may require additional medical care. Without in-person support, it can be difficult to know what’s expected and when something may need medical attention. You Don’t Have to Figure This Out Alone When everything feels overwhelming, it can help to take a moment to evaluate your next steps and get the information you need. At Collage, we provide no-cost, confidential services so you can ask questions, gather accurate information, and explore your options at your own pace in a one-on-one setting. Schedule your appointment today. Collage does not provide or refer for abortions; however, we do offer pre-abortion screening through our no-cost services. All abortion information sourced in this blog is based on accurate information at the time of writing.