The decision to engage in sexual activity or behavior as a teen or young adult can be a confusing time. Sexual activity includes vaginal penetration of the vagina by the penis or other object , oral, or anal. Sexual behavior can include sexting , taking sexually explicit photos of yourself, using online chat rooms for sexual conversations, social media abuse, masturbation, and viewing pornography. There are many things to consider before choosing to engage in sexual activity or behavior.

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Some things for teenage girls or young women to think about before they have sex. As a teenage girl or young woman, you may be thinking about what it means to be involved in a sexual relationship. Deciding to have a sexual relationship is a big deal since it involves both your body and your emotions. You need to make sure that it is the right decision for you. There are many things that you need to think about before you decide to have sex, including whether this is the right person, the right time in your life, and how you will feel if the relationship breaks up. If you do decide to have sex, you definitely need to first think about how to prevent getting pregnant, and how to protect yourself from getting a Sexually Transmitted Disease STD. You should talk to your parents, guardian, a trusted adult, or your health care provider if you are thinking about having a sexual relationship.
Are You Ready for Sex?
Anatomy, biology, and body image. We're here for all your questions, concerns, and insecurities. Ask away! Sex is a big deal and you and your partner should be ready for it physically, mentally, and emotionally. For more information about all the birth control methods that are available, check out our Birth Control Explorer. Even though it might not seem like it, your parents were once teenagers, and probably understand your situation better than you would think. Opening the lines of communications between you and your parents, even if the topic is a little bit awkward, can really help to clarify any questions that you might have about relationships and builds the trust between you.
Whether you've never had sex at all, or you're considering having sex with a new partner, there are a few things you may want to consider. Many of us are unfortunately under-educated or misinformed about sex because of the poor curriculums at most schools, making it all the more difficult to gauge when would be a healthy time to consider taking this intimate step. The fact is, so much goes into the decision: the timing, the location, your mental state, and most importantly: the person you're planning to do it with. Obviously this is all a lot to consider and things don't always go as planned — hence why we have an entire post dedicated to girls sharing what they wish they'd known before having sex for the first time. More than anything, though, you want to feel ready. But what does that mean?