It’s normal for people to start thinking about having sex when they reach their teen years. Puberty makes people curious and more aware of their sexual feelings, and about other people’s sexuality. Sometimes these feelings can be overwhelming and people think they have to act on them to get them to go away. This isn’t true.

Even though you may feel turned on or like you want to have sex, it doesn’t mean you are ready to have sex. There is a lot more to having a good sexual experience than just feeling desire or being curious about what sex might feel like. It is important to also have a healthy and trusting relationship with a partner before you have any kind sexual experience.

There are a lot of good things and bad things that can result from having sex. Sex is just one of many ways to shareintimacy with a partner but it also has serious consequences, like getting pregnant or getting a sexually transmitted disease (STD). If someone isn’t ready for sex they might also feel regret later, or realize that they didn’t make a good decision and wish they could change it.

Some teens find that masturbation can help release their sexual feelings if they become a distraction. Masturbation is when someone touches his or her own body for sexual pleasure. It can sometimes result in orgasm, but doesn’t have to.

Eventually, you will decide when you are ready to be sexual with a partner. At that point, be sure you can talk openly with your partner, so that you can explain what you do want to do and don’t want to do. For example, maybe you feel comfortable kissing and rubbing with clothes on, but don’t want to do anything else. Both partners need to know each other’s limits, so that no one feels forced, uncomfortable or regrets something the next day.

Someday you will feel ready for sex. Many teens wait until they’ve graduated from high school or are in a certain kind of committed relationship, like being in love, being with a person for a certain amount of time or being married. When you think you’re ready, talk to friends, parents or someone you trust to make sure this is a healthy decision. Take time to talk to your partner about it, too, and make sure it is what he/she also wants.

Most likely if you really take time to make sure you are ready for sex, then it will feel good and you won’t regret it later. And isn’t that the point?