Making Healthy Sexual Decisions: Are You Ready for Sex?

Ask yourself the following questions to see if you are ready to have a sexual relationship:

• Is your decision to have sex completely your own (you feel no pressure from others, including your partner)?
• Is your decision to have sex based on the right reasons? (It shouldn't be based on peer pressure, a need to fit in or make your partner happy, or a belief that sex is the only way to make your relationship with your partner better, or closer. If you decide to have sex, it should be because you feel emotionally and physically ready. Your partner should be someone you trust.)

• Do you feel your partner would respect any decision you made about whether to have sex or not?

  
  
• Are you able to comfortably talk to your partner about sex and your partner's sexual history?
• Have you and your partner talked about what both of you would do if you became pregnant or got an STI?
• Do you know how to prevent pregnancy and STI's?
• Are you and your partner willing to use contraception to prevent pregnancy and STD's?
• Do you really feel ready and completely comfortable with yourself and your partner to have sex?