The “sex talk” is inevitably one of the most avoided conversations in young teens. Whether you want to hear it or not, many schools are enforcing sex education in the classroom as early as 5th grade. Although it is an awkward conversation to have, you need to know the facts!
There are so many teens and young adults out there who do not know the truth about sex, sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy. Want to know the facts and statistics? Keep reading!
Learn to say no. If you are not comfortable having sex with someone or do not really want to have intercourse tell your partner. You do not have to have sex if you don’t want to. Peer pressure is common in teens and young adults. However, at the end of the day the choice is yours.
- The average age for males to lose their virginity is 16.9. For women, the average age of losing their virginity is 17.4.
- Good news, the abstinence is up! In 2002, 22% of men and women ages 15-24 claimed to have not had any kind of sexual experience. In 2008 researchers surveyed young adults again to find out that 27% of men and 29% of women had not had a sexual experience. Refraining from sexual intercourse, and oral sex can save you from pregnancy, STDs, and HIV/AIDS.
- Many sexually active teens and young adults question if they should get tested. The answer to this questions is, YES!! Even if you have been with one person, there is still a risk of STDs. Any easy was to look at the sex situation is that if you have been sexually active with one person, you have also been sexually active with EVERY other person your partner has been sexually active with. It never hurts to get tested. It is better to know, then to not know. At least 50% of males and females have some kind of genital HPV infection at some time in their life. Some STDs have treatment, so go get tested!
- For the ladies, birth control. If you plan on being sexually active you should talk to your doctor about taking birth control regularly. By taking birth control regularly your chances of pregnancy are reduced. However, birth control is NOT 100% effective, meaning you can still get pregnant. Also, birth control WILL NOT protect you from contracting an STD. Want to learn more about birth control? Talk to your doctor and let them give you all the facts!
- Don’t be a fool, wrap your tool! Condoms. Great invention. If you are going to have sex make sure your partner is wearing a condom. Condoms help prevent pregnancy and the sharing of STDs. However, just like birth control, condoms are not 100% effective. Sometimes condoms break, have holes in them, do not fit right, etc. Any contact with sperm and sometimes skin to skin contact can result in an STD.
- Your genitals are changing. What should you do? You need to get off the computer and call your doctor, immediately! If you notice something strange with your body, penis, or vagina you need to consult with a doctor to find out what is wrong. The longer you wait, the worse a situation can get.
- Your boyfriend/girlfriend wants to have oral sex. Thats safer than intercourse, right? Oral sex cannot lead to pregnancy. STDs can still be transmitted orally. Those pesky STDs!
- Partial penetration is when the penis is not fully inserted into the vagina. Some may think that because they didn’t fully insert their penis they are safe. Wrong answer. Sexually transmitted diseases can still be contracted through partial penetration. Pregnancy is also still a risk.. Like I said, where a condom!
- You know you are pregnant/have an STD. Call the doctor. See the doctor ASAP! Communicate with your partner the situation you are in. If you are pregnant you and your partner need to discuss the situation. If you have an STD you need to talk to your partner about getting them treated along with yourself.
- You lost your virginity, but you want it back. Unfortunately, once your virginity is gone you cannot get it back. However, many people believe in secondary virginity, also known as a “born again virgin”. Secondary virginity is the choice of abstinence after having sex. If you are committed to being abstinent but have lost your virginity it is not to late to start over!
I am no doctor and cannot answer all your questions. I have informed you to the best of my knowledge. If you want more information I suggest talking to your doctor, parent, teacher, or friend. Talk to someone you trust. Sex is not a simple subject. I hope this was an informational, not awkward post. Wanna ask me more questions? Leave me a comment!
With love,
Kat VonD
I’m reading Human Development