Answers are the opinion of the author(s) and not necessarily that of your health care provider, the Palo Alto Medical Clinic, the Palo Alto Medical Foundation or Sutter Health. This information is provided for your general information and education only, and should not be relied upon for personal diagnosis or treatment. If you feel like you have an illness or need emotional support for a problem, please contact you personal physician NOW.
Questions about suicide? Call the NATIONAL SUICIDE HOTLINE 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433).
Navigate:
FAQ Home Page
>>
Sexuality & Romance
>>
Q&A
Posted on:03/23/2007
Question
i know your suppose to have sex when ever you seem comfortable doing it, have a good bf/husbend, and just basically want to do it. but at what age should u start having sex???
Answer
|
Well, there is no right time, but "when you are older" comes right to my mind! The short answer is "when you have a partner who truly cares enough about you to make sure that any sexual contact is consensual and protected from sexually transmitted infection (STI) and pregnancy."
That means you have had talked about all the risks associated with sex, have determined you both want to have sex, want to protect each other, have had an exam, started a reliable method of birth control, and are prepared to use condoms for oral, vaginal, or anal sex.
Here are several other things to think about: 1) most (up to 80%) young women wish they had waited longer to start being sexual because of all of the emotional complications, and the risks of STIs and pregnancy; 2) your cervix is more vulnerable to STI (including HIV) until you are older than 18; 3) the younger you are when you have sex for the first time, the more likely you are to get an STI in your lifetime.
Thanks for asking and thinking about this important decision!
|
Answered By:
Nancy Brown
, Ed.S, M.A., Ph.D.
|
|
|
