Sex, Etc. -- I'm 15 . . . Am I too young to have sex?

I'm 15 . . . Am I too young to have sex?

That's a question that a lot of teens wonder about. Most adults would agree that 15 is too young to have sexual intercourse. Being ready for sex has a lot more to do with maturity than how old you are. Here are some things to think about. Have you and your honey talked A LOT about why you want to have sex, what you expect from it, what worries or scares you about it, what you think it will be like? Have you talked about how it might change your relationship? Does having sex mean the same thing to both of you? Have you also talked to your parent(s) or another trusted adult about your decision?

Also, ask yourself why you want to have sex. Is it because you want to make your partner happy or make him or her love you? Do you want to feel more grown up? Are you thinking of having sex because everybody else is doing it?

These are all really bad reasons to have sex. Sex doesn't prove love or make people more in love. It doesn't make you into an adult overnight either. And the truth is, everybody isn't doing it. National surveys show that 70 percent of 15-year-olds are still virgins.

Here are some things you need to be able to do before you're ready for sex. Talk to your partner about your relationship, sex, contraception, and your feelings. Visit a family planning clinic and get the protection you need to be safe and responsible.

If you're afraid to do any of this stuff, then you're not ready. But what's the rush? You're young and have plenty of time. Wait until it's really right for you. You'll be happiest if you follow your own path.

Your Comments

re so scared

Posted by: Panduh on May 27th, 2008 12:21am

yeah im 15 too and me and my gf have been going out for
7months she wil be 15soon and ill be 16soon nothing has
really happened so idk what to do i know its gonna take time
shes my first gf and im not to sure what im really doing but
im going with what my instices tell me and im waiting for
her to be ready

Should i feel guilty?

Posted by: girly92 on May 25th, 2008 12:25pm

Well my boyfriend and i have been together for a year and 4
months and we are both 15, we've talked about sex plenty of
times and we talked about being safe and we totaly
understand eachother when it comes to safe sex hes even
spoken to his mom about it and shes very helpful, but the
thing is my parents really want me to wait till i get
married but im sure that im ready now and i love my bf alot.
If me and my bf do become sexually active and i dnt tell my
parents should i feel guilty?

RE: Lost

Posted by: DanR on May 2nd, 2008 9:47am

I am very glad to hear that you are giving this a lot of
though and are talking to your partner about the pros and
cons of taking this very big step. Condoms and birth
control (BC) pills are highly effective when used properly,
but not 100% effective. We recommend a combination of
condoms and BC to help lower your risk of pregnancy (and
STDs). Try to find a time where you and your Mom can talk
so you can let her know that you would like to take this
step in protecting your sexual health.

Lost

Posted by: soccerchica on May 2nd, 2008 12:26am

I'm 15 right now and my boyfriend is 17. We've been together
for a little over 3 months now and the sex question has come
up.I really love my boyfriend and he's my first real love. I
know that I want to have sex with him, I just don't know if
we as a couple are ready and me myself. I think about it and
I feel ready, but I am so worried about getting pregnant.
We've talked about it and we know what can happen. I'm not
on birth control and I'm too scared to talk to my mom about
this, what do i do?

RE: sex

Posted by: DanR on Jan 29th, 2008 11:14am

Most clinics, like Planned Parenthood, are completely
confidential, meaning your parents won't know. But to be
sure, when you call to make an appointment, ask them about
their policy. (Questions to ask: Will they call you at home?
Will they send a bill to you? Will they send other mail?)
Since each clinic works a little differently, this is the
best way to know for sure. Also, you should always be
honest with your medical care provider, it is the best way
for them to assess your health needs.

sex

Posted by: Courtney2maire on Jan 27th, 2008 6:25pm

im 14. and I think that i want to have sex. And I dont want
my mom to find out. If i go to the doc. and they ask me if
im sexually active. Do i have to answer that? I mean. Idk
And if my moms not in the room and i tell him i am, will
he/her tell my mom?

I was ready

Posted by: sarah_stemple on Jan 5th, 2008 6:44pm

I am 16 and i've had sex, but my boyfriend and I have talked
about our relationship and everything. I've talked to my
mother about it. I knew I was ready. Some people say i may
have been too young, but I was ready. It has made my
relationship even better. We have so much fun with
everything. We did it becasue we wanted to, not to prove
something. I think people should be in love when they have
sex.

Reply to "So Scared"

Posted by: EricaMarie2010 on Aug 29th, 2007 2:32am

It's great that you're telling him no. You need to just
forget about everything else and listen to only yourself,
are you personally ready for that? There are a lot of fears,
and even if you're ready for it, you might be a little bit
scared. It's a big choice to make, and if you decide to do
it, just tell him that it CAN'T turn into anything more than
that, because you aren't ready for anything else. And, if
he's pressuring you, he might not be the best person to be
with.

Don't want to intrude, but in response to "So Scared"...

Posted by: ScarletPheonix on Aug 18th, 2007 11:27pm

Is he pressuring you in any real way to make you feel like
he'll break up with you if you don't let him finger you? If
he isn't then I'd say not to worry. And another thing, do
you WANT him to, worries aside? Fingering won't necassarily
lead to sex if you really don't want it to. And if you're
that worried to one thing leading to another, then carry a
condom with you... I'm not saying to do anything, just
trying to be somewhat helpful...

thanks

Posted by: iluvterrier11 on Jul 13th, 2007 3:24pm

to stacieS. I'm glad you think i am smart to listen to
myself. My sister got pregnant when she was seventeen, and i
promised myself i wouldnt let that happen to me. She
finished school, and is now in college. I love my nephew so
much and i coundnt imagine not having around.

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