If you're young and considering having sex this guide is for you. It merely touches what you need to know, but these four topics are the most important things that you should take to heart-beforehand.
Talk to Your Partner
Are you ready for this step? Consider whether you're having sex for the right reasons. If you feel “pressured” you're not ready. You'll have plenty of time to do “it,” there isn't a certain time in your life that you absolutely have to have sex. Make sure that your partner understands your feelings and respects them.
Consider Yourself
Do you have deep religious beliefs that you are going against? If you are willing to compromise this, by all means go all the way, but if you are fighting a battle within yourself, save your virginity. You'll regret it later, and virginity is NOT something that you just throw away like trash.
Use Protection
I know that you say that you will use protection, but let me stress this in the best possible way that I can, USE IT! We all approach sex in this way, we all know what we'd do when in the situation, but no matter what he or she says use it. There are nasty, hideous diseases out there-and who wants to be pregnant at 15? Babies shouldn't have babies. There are lots of options that you have here. The best thing to do is to talk to your parents. If you absolutely cannot do that, talk to a school counselor, doctor, or find a Planned Parenthood Center in your community. You shouldn't be embarrassed to talk to these people, everything is confidential and there are laws against them releasing any of your information.
Get Checkups
If you indeed take the plunge, please, please go for an annual check up at your local doctor's office or clinic. This is called a PAP smear or Well Man's Examination most places. You are checked for STIs (STDs) at these check-ups and they are crucial to your well-being. Even if you were both virgins and you know that they aren't sleeping with anyone else, you still need to go. It is critical to your sexual health, and the health of the community.
All good advice. I'm glad to see an article like this out there.
Good job.
Best Wishes,
Josey
#2 by Alexa Gates, Feb 20, 2008
good advice!
#3 by Alana, Mar 25, 2008
Hay great advice! These things are so important and a lot of us don't realize that, especially when we're young.
Good article :)
Alana Andrews
xxx
#4 by Susan, Apr 14, 2008
Very good article Jill. I sometimes wish my nieces read a piece like this before taking the plunge. To this day I thank my sister for allowing me to see at first hand the mistakes made when not thinking clearly, and making the wrong choices. I really enjoyed reading this. Good job indeed.
#5 by janet, May 5, 2008
i was just wondering, can a planned parenthood center give you a confidential perscription for birth control, without telling your parents?
#6 by Jill, Jun 3, 2008
I think that in Texas you have to be at least 16 years old for Planned Parenthood to give you birth control. I went when I was this age and they did. Just call...everything is confidential I promise.
#7 by Sarah Brohawn, Sep 8, 2008
This is a good article, I wish that it had more of an audience though....I'd love to see something like this in a Seventeen magazine!
Good job.
Best Wishes,
Josey