• Is your decision to have sex completely your own (you feel no pressure from others, including your partner)?
• Is your decision to have sex based on the right reasons? (It shouldn’t be based on peer pressure, a need to fit in or make your partner happy, or a belief that sex is the only way to make your relationship with your partner better, or closer. If you decide to have sex, it should be because you feel emotionally and physically ready. Your partner should be someone you trust.)
• Do you feel your partner would respect any decision you made about whether to have sex or not?
• Are you able to comfortably talk to your partner about sex and your partner’s sexual history?
• Have you and your partner talked about what both of you would do if you became pregnant or got an STI?
• Do you know how to prevent pregnancy and STIs?
• Are you and your partner willing to use contraception to prevent pregnancy and STIs?
• Do you really feel ready and completely comfortable with yourself and your partner to have sex?

If you answered NO to any of these questions, you are probably not ready to have sex. If you think you should have sexual intercourse because others want you to or you feel like you should since everyone else is doing it, you should rethink your decision to be sexually active. You should only have sex because you: trust your partner, feel comfortable with yourself and your decision, know how to protect yourself against STIs and unplanned pregnancies, and most importantly because you want to and you know that you’re ready!

You may also be trying to figure out your gender identity (whether you identify as a female or male) and your sexual orientation (who you are attracted to). If you feel like you want to talk to someone or you need more support, your health care provider can help you find a counselor or support group for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender teens. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to your health care provider, you can speak with someone and get advice on where you can find a counselor or support group.

For more information, you can call the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender National Hotline at: 1-888-843-4564. Services are confidential.

It’s important that having sex is a positive experience and YOUR decision regardless of whether your partner(s) are male, female, or both. If sex is painful, not pleasurable, not your choice, or makes you feel that it is the wrong decision for you, you should talk with a trusted adult.

Young adults have to make lots of decisions about sex, including whether to abstain (not have sex), or be sexually active.

If you are sexually active, you’ll also need to think about the:

• Gender of your sexual partner(s)
• Kind of relationship you have with them
• Type of contraception (if you have a male partner) and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention methods you’ll use

If you are not sexually active, talk with your partner about whether having sex is what you both want.

• Ask about his or her sexual history, including if he or she has had any STI’s.
• Talk about what kinds of STI prevention methods you plan to use.
• If you are in a heterosexual (straight) relationship, talk about birth control (condom, birth control pill, injection hormones, the “patch”, the “ring”, or IUD) and what you would do if it failed. If you feel that you can’t talk to your partner about these issues, then you should rethink whether or not you should be having a sexual relationship.
• Be open and honest about whether you or your partner have been, or will be sexually involved with other people. Remember, the risk of getting an STI or a virus that can cause cancer or AIDS is increased if you or your partner(s) have sexual intercourse with other people. The more partners, the greater the risk!
• Talk to your primary care provider about methods of birth control that are right for you, and about how to prevent STI’s.

Remember that a female can get pregnant at ANY time if she has sex with a male without a condom, or if she is not using birth control correctly. To lessen the chance of pregnancy and STI’s, you should use a latex condom every time you have sex, from start to finish. The only way to absolutely prevent getting pregnant or an STI is to not have sex.

What happens if I forget my birth control or the condom breaks?

If you, or your partner, forget your birth control or the condom breaks, you do have an option called emergency contraception, also known as the “morning-after pill”. Emergency contraception can prevent pregnancy up to 5 days after unprotected sex. The sooner you start the medicine after unprotected sex, the more effective the treatment is. 

If you’re younger than 18 you may be able to get emergency contraception from your health care provider (or a family planning clinic such as Planned Parenthood) with the consent of a parent or guardian.

To obtain birth control or emergency contraception you must be 18 or older, or have consent of a parent or guardian. Exceptions for those younger than 18 include:

• The patient is 16 or 17 and, lives apart from their parent/guardian and is/are in charge of their own finances. 
• The patient is legally emancipated.
• The patient is unmarried and pregnant then the patient can consent to pregnancy care.
• The patient is serving a sentence in the Texas jail system.
• The patient is on active duty in the U.S. military.

If you have questions about sex (whether or not you’re thinking about having a sexual relationship) you should talk to your parent(s)/guardian(s), a trusted adult such as a school counselor, someone from your religious center/youth group or your health care provider. It’s a good idea to discuss all of your choices and any concerns you may have so that you can make healthy decisions. Deciding whether or not to have sex can be a difficult decision, so it’s always good to have someone to talk to.

When do I talk to my provider?

Many young women and men can talk to their moms, dads, or guardians about these issues, while others need confidential services. You can talk to your primary care provider (PCP) about birth control or STI protection. You also have the option of talking to a gynecologist, a health care provider at a family planning clinic, or a health care provider at a student health center or school clinic. You should feel comfortable with your provider, since it’s important to share personal information and any health problems with her/him. You need to find a provider who will listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and take the time to explain things clearly to you.

Ask your health care provider about the confidentiality policy. You should be able to talk privately about any health issues including your sexual choices and not feel judged.

To obtain birth control or emergency contraception you must be 18 or older, or have consent of a parent or guardian. Exceptions for those younger than 18 include:

• The patient is 16 or 17 and, lives apart from their parent/guardian and is/are in charge of their own finances. 
• The patient is legally emancipated.
• The patient is unmarried and pregnant then the patient can consent to pregnancy care.
• The patient is serving a sentence in the Texas jail system.
• The patient is on active duty in the U.S. military.

What questions do I ask?

• Given what we’ve talked about in terms of my relationship history, should I be tested for STDs/STIs? Which ones?
• How can I talk to my partner about STIs? Can you give me some advice?
• I want to make sure that my partner and I get tested before we have sex. Where should I go? How can I bring up the topic with him/her?
• How often should I be tested for STIs? Which ones?
• What screenings* are recommended for someone my age? (*such as STI tests, mammograms, prostate cancer screening, etc.)
• I’m not always happy with the way my partner treats me. Can we chat about that?