To have sex or not? It's a tough decision to make. There’s a lot to consider, like emotions, pregnancy and STDs. Read on to find out if you’re ready for sex or not.

The Answer I Wish I'd Gotten

By Karen Choucrallah, 17, Staff Writer

When I was about seven or eight, I asked my mother that age-old question: Where do babies come from? She told me that they come from God. All a married couple had to do was pray really, really hard

Photo by Sharanya Durvasula

Karen Choucrallah, 17, Staff Writer. Meet Karen.

How do I know if I'm ready to have sex? I am 13 years old and I really want to have sex. Is it normal that a 13-year-old wants to have sex already? How do I say “No” to my partner? I think I'm ready. What should I do before I have sex?

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Have questions or comments about knowing if you're ready for sex or not? Go to the Forums and share your thoughts!

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If your friends were making bad decisions about sex and drugs, would you stop them?

ANo, they’re old enough to make their own decisions.
BOf course! I can’t watch them ruin their lives.
CMaybe, depending on how serious it gets.
DMaybe, but I don’t want to seem like a loser.

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Here are some of the best Web sites, hotlines and books about teens’ sexual decisions.