LET'S TALK ABOUT SEX! At least, you should talk about it with your partner.  If you can't, then you're probably not ready for it. Sex is a big step in a relationship!  People try to play it off like it is insignificant or meaningless. Sex happens all the time on TV shows, and your friends have already done it and say no big deal. But, how do you feel?

The first step to safe sex is being consensual. This means that both partners must be comfortable with each other and want to engage in sexual activity. Being ready plays a huge role as well.  Are you ready to give away your virginity?  Is this how you wanted it to happen, how you want to remember your first time?  If the answer is no, it seems like you have a lot of thinking to do.

And what about the complicated issues?  Condoms, birth control, STDs, pregnancy…no one wants to think about those.  But you can't avoid the realities of having safe sex, no matter how unromantic they are. Safe sex means confronting these subjects even if you can't say 'penis' or 'vagina' without giggling. Here are some steps to follow:
1. Decide on a method of birth control and STD protection (i.e. condoms).  Two forms are twice as good as one.
2. Be firm with your partner about your choices for birth control.  You shouldn’t have to risk anything.  A person who really cares about you will understand and will never coerce you into something you're uncomfortable doing.
3. Never have unprotected sex, even if you are in a steady relationship. It only takes one slip-up to have an STD, or baby, for life.
4. Get regularly tested together for STDs.  Rather be safe than sorry.
5. If something goes wrong, don't panic! Talk to a parent, trusted adult or someone at your local free clinic for an exam or consultation. 

We all make mistakes, but these are ones with serious consequences that can be avoided from the get-go.  Condoms are pretty cheap, and birth control isn't that expensive either.  Taking these two steps towards STD-prevention and avoiding teenage pregnancy is something everyone can do.

Learn The 7 STEPS TO SAFER SEX STRATEGIES.

You're taking some big chances if you decide to have sex before you are a mature adult.  Besides the possible psychological and emotional pain having sex at a young age can come with, there are many physical risks.  STDs like chlamydia, gonorrhea and HIV are all passed through sexual contact and can cause very serious health problems.

The most devastating result of sex for some people is becoming pregnant.  If you do become pregnant while still in high school this will change the course of your life forever- whether you are the father or mother.  Is that a chance you really want to take?

The only 100% guaranteed method for completely safe sex is ABSTINENCE.  You've probably heard it a million times before, but the only truly risk free sex is no sex at all.