Sex or sexual experiences can be a big part of your relationship and a pleasurable experience, or you can save it for later. Whichever you choose, it is a big decision that you and your partner should make together on an equal footing. While it’s not anyone’s favorite topic, you must be mature enough to face the risks of sexually transmitted diseases.
1. Understand pregnancy
Every teen should know about pregnancy before engaging in any vaginal sex. Here are some basic things that sexually active people should know about pregnancy:
• Pregnancy is possible whenever semen enters the vagina. Almost all pregnancies result from unprotected penetrative sex with a penis in the vagina.
• Pregnancy cannot occur between two people with vulvas.
• Not only cisgender women can get pregnant—people with penises can get pregnant when they ejaculate in another person’s vagina, whether they are transgender, non-binary, cisgender, or otherwise.
• Pregnancy cannot occur from oral, anal, or non-penetrative sex. [3] Semen must enter the vagina for pregnancy to occur.
• Prostatic fluid (a fluid that the penis releases in small amounts when aroused) does not usually contain viable sperm. Unlike semen, prostatic fluid is unlikely to result in pregnancy, but the risk is small.
2. Understand STDs
All types of unprotected vaginal, oral, and anal sex can transmit sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). You can only get an STD if you share body fluids or have skin-to-skin contact with an infected person. However, most people who get an STD have no symptoms (they are asymptomatic), but can still spread the disease and cause serious health problems (such as infertility and cancer). The Centers for Disease Control recommends annual STD testing. People who have a penis but do not have sex with someone who has a penis are at lower risk but should still be tested, especially after engaging in risky sexual behavior.
• Some STDs may take six months or longer to show up on a test. [7] This is called the incubation period, and it varies depending on the STD and test used.
• If you and your partner have only ever had sex, you only need to be tested once (although it doesn't hurt to test regularly). If you suspect your partner has had sex with someone else, or if either of you has shared needles for injecting drugs, get tested again.
• Everyone should get the HPV-9, hepatitis A, and hepatitis B vaccines before they become sexually active. If you get the vaccine after you have contracted these viruses, the vaccines will not be as effective at treating these diseases.
3. Use condoms during vaginal-penile intercourse
Condoms are the most common method of birth control used by teens. They are cheap, easy to use, and protect you from pregnancy and some sexually transmitted diseases. Make sure you use them correctly. When used correctly, male condoms reduce the chance of pregnancy to 2% per year, but mistakes or errors during normal use can increase that chance to 15%.
• Female condoms/internal condoms are slightly less effective, reducing the chance to 5% when used correctly. [9] Do not use female (internal) condoms and male (external) condoms at the same time.
• Using condoms and one of the following methods is an excellent way to protect yourself and your sexual partner.
4. If you can get pregnant, consider taking birth control pills
Women take one pill a day and are very effective at preventing pregnancy. They do not protect against any sexually transmitted diseases. "Birth control pills" are available over the counter in many countries.
• Doctors are prohibited by law from telling parents or guardians about your birth control. However, if you use your parents' health insurance to pay for birth control, they may find out. Birth control usually costs $15 to $50 per month, so you and your partner can pay for it yourself. [12]
• These pills are very safe for most people, but they can cause health problems if you have serious heart or blood-related health problems. Smoking increases this risk. Understand the pros and cons before taking them.
• Birth control pills can make your menstrual cycle more regular and may reduce adverse side effects such as acne and cramping.
5. Tracking a woman's fertility cycle
Women with vaginas (not using FTM hormones) are most likely to get pregnant during ovulation and in the days after ovulation. This usually happens on days 11-21 of a 28-day menstrual cycle, with day 1 being when your period starts. It's important to realize that most people don't have regular menstrual cycles, so you can't accurately predict ahead of time when this will happen. This will tell you when pregnancy is particularly risky, but you shouldn't skip protection at other times of the month.
• Sperm can survive in the vagina for several days, so if you have sex with someone who has a penis and you also have a vagina, sex before ovulation could still result in pregnancy.
• To keep track of this, keep a menstrual cycle calendar to record signs that your period is about to start. If you want to be extra safe, you can track your ovulation.
6. Research other forms of birth control
There are many other forms of birth control, from diaphragms to intrauterine devices. For more information, visit a reproductive health center like Planned Parenthood, or talk to your doctor or gynecologist. Teens are exposed to many rumors about birth control and sexually transmitted diseases, so don't assume that everything you hear is true. [14]
• Withdrawal, where the penis is “pulled out” of the vagina before ejaculation, is not recommended by most experts. While this method does reduce pregnancy if used correctly, there is a risk of not withdrawing in time or changing one’s mind after intercourse has begun. It also does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.
