This is a great question. It shows that you’re taking the time to think through this very important decision. Here are some questions to consider when deciding whether becoming sexually active is the best thing for you at this point in your life.

It’s important to think about all the potential things that could happen if you have sex with someone. There are good things—pleasure, a feeling of closeness and intimacy, maybe even a deepening in your relationship. These things are more likely to happen when a couple knows and understands each other, are able to communicate openly about their feelings, decides together that they’re ready to have sex and uses condoms and birth control to protect against pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Then there are things that people sometimes tend to overlook or downplay like STDs, an unplanned pregnancy or a change in the relationship. Anytime you have sex, there’s a chance of getting an STD and becoming pregnant (if it’s sex between a guy and a girl). Using birth control and wearing condoms, every single time, reduces the chances of either of these things happening. Hormonal birth control is more than 99% effective with perfect use at preventing pregnancy, but does not prevent the transmission of STDs. Condoms are 98% effective with perfect use at preventing both pregnancy and STDs. Check out our FAQs on Birth Control and Condoms. 

Difficult changes in a relationship can happen when a couple hasn’t taken the time to get to know each other before having sex. They haven’t shared their feelings, expectations and desires for themselves and the relationship, or about what sex means to each of them. Jumping into a sexual relationship before the foundation is established creates a greater likelihood of you or a partner getting hurt.

Here are some questions to ask yourself before you have sex:

You can visit a family planning clinic to learn more about your birth control options and to get condoms. To find a clinic near you, call Planned Parenthood at 1-800-230-PLAN, visit their Web site or check in the phone book under "family planning."