Deciding to have sex is a serious decision. It involves both your body and your emotions, wrote Boston’s Children Hospital. There are many things to consider so you know you’re making the right decision.
The NSW Ministry of Health (NSW Ministry) said making the decision to have sex isn’t always an easy or straightforward process. Sometimes talking with friends and family can help.
Your body may send signals that seem to say you're ready for sex. That's natural, wrote the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP). But your beliefs, values and emotions are just as important.
Abstinence is an important option. HealthyChildren.org reported that half of all teens say “no” to sex. There’s nothing wrong with deciding to wait.
NSW Ministry advised communicating with your partner. This allows you to confirm if having sex is what you both want. Be clear and honest when expressing your wants and desires.
You should never feel pressured to have sex. Your partner needs to respect your decision, wrote NSW Ministry. If they don't, then you need to question how much they value you and your beliefs.
Sex also has emotional risks. HealthyChildren.org said that you may feel angry or sad if you’re pressured to have sex before you’re ready.
You may also feel angry or sad if you choose to have sex and your partner breaks up with you. Your partner may even tell other people you had sex. Can you handle that?
HealthyChildren.org cautioned teens to stay away from situations that can lead to unplanned sex. Too many young people have unplanned sex when they drink alcohol or use drugs.
Potential health risks associated with having sex include pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as herpes, chlamydia, genital warts, gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV, wrote AAFP.
It’s also important to talk with your partner about their sexual history and if they have had any STIs, said Boston’s Children Hospital. In addition, discuss what STI prevention methods you plan to use.
Be open and honest if you or your partner will be sexually involved with other people. That increases the risk of contracting an STI.
Sex can lead to pregnancy. HealthyChildren.org asked, are you ready to be pregnant or become a teen parent? It’s important to discuss birth control options with both your partner and a doctor.
If you feel you can't talk to your partner about these issues, then you should rethink having sex, said Boston’s Children Hospital.
The bottom line is that the decision to become sexually active is yours, wrote HealthyChildren.org. If you don’t feel sure, you might not be ready to have sex.
NSW Ministry added that delaying sex until you feel confident and comfortable will help make sure your first sexual experience is safe and positive.
Sources:
"FamilyDoctor.org." Sex: Making the Right Decision. American Academy of Family Physicians, n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2012.
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/teens/puberty-sexuality/sex-making-the-right-decision.html
"Making Healthy Choices - NSW Health." NSW Ministry of Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2012.
http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/publichealth/sexualhealth/sex_choices.asp
"Making Healthy Decisions About Sex." HealthyChildren.org. American Academy of Pediatrics, n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2012.
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/teen/dating-sex/pages/Making-Healthy-Decisions-About-Sex.aspx?nfstatus=401&nftoken=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000&nfstatusdescription=ERROR%3a+No+local+token
"Making Healthy Sexual Decisions." Young Men's Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2012.
http://www.youngmenshealthsite.org/making.html
"Making Healthy Sexual Decisions: Talking With Your Partner." Center for Young Women's Health. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2012.
http://www.youngwomenshealth.org/talking_about_sex.html
"Sexual Health." The University Health Center. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Sept. 2012.
http://www.uhs.uga.edu/sexualhealth/index.html#sex
Reviewed September 20, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith