I’m 15. How do I know if I’m ready to have sex and what are the negative effects?

girl with kiss mark on faceDeciding to have a sexual relationship is an important decision 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 are important to think about before you decide to have sex, including whether this is what you want and whether it’s the right time in your life. You should also think about how you’ll feel afterwards. It should be a decision made without any pressure from your partner or friends, and it’s always good to have a trusted adult to talk to.

You should never let others pressure you into having sex if you don’t want to. The decision to have sex for the first time (and every time after) is yours, not anyone else’s! Remember that it’s completely okay to wait to have sex.

Some of the possible negative effects of having sex when you’re not ready or prepared are:

  • You could feel badly or even guilty if it’s against your religious or family values to have sex before marriage.
  • You could get a sexually transmitted infection and/or become pregnant if you’re not prepared and know how to protect yourself.