Yes. It’s possible to be intimate with someone without having sex (vaginal, anal or oral). Being intimate with someone means being very close. Sex can be a part of an intimate relationship, but friendships and other relationships can be intimate and never sexual. Even romantic partnerships can be intimate and not include sex.

As you get to know each other, you will discover lots of things that feel good and make you feel closer, but that don’t necessarily include having sexual intercourse. These can be physical things, like touching and kissing, as well as non-physical things, like talking and sharing experiences together.

The most important thing to do is talk with your partner before things get physical. Be very clear about what kind of touching is allowed and what’s off limits. So, is kissing OK, but not other touching? Is touching above the waist OK, but not below? If you do not want to have sex but want to be physical, make a promise to each other that things will stop at a certain point. Then agree that both of you are responsible for sticking to those limits. The last thing you want is for sex to “just happen.” That’s how too many teens ended up facing an unplanned pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Lots of teens decide to be in romantic and intimate relationships with people while also practicing abstinence. Abstinence means not having any type of sex with your partner. But be sure to talk to your partner and make sure you are on the same page.

Remember, if you ever have sex without a protection, girls can take emergency contraception (EC), also known as the “morning-after pill,” to prevent pregnancy. And if you have unprotected oral, vaginal or anal sex, then you are also at risk for STDs. There may be clinics for STD testing near you.