Your top 10 questions about sex, answered.
- Are all teens having sex?
- If I’m going to say “no” to sex, what’s in it for me?
- Can you get pregnant if you use birth control?
- Is oral sex really sex?
- How does sexual intercourse feel?
- Can you get pregnant if you have sex standing up?
- Can you get pregnant the first time you have sex?
- What are the chances I’ll get a sexually transmitted disease?
- What diseases can I get from sex?
- How do you know if you have a STD (sexually transmitted disease)?
Q: Are all teens having sex?
A: No! The fact is, less than one-half of high school students are having sex.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2004). Youth risk behavior surveillance-United States. 2003
(top)
Q: If I’m going to say “no” to sex, what’s in it for me?
A:
- You get FREEDOM
- From worry that you or your girlfriend might get pregnant.
- From risk of getting HIV or another STD from having sex.
- From pressures that can go with having sex. You don't have to worry about friends and family finding out, your reputation, or whether you've made the right decision.
- From regrets that you didn't wait for the right person or the right time.
- From concerns that a person just wants to have sex with you.
- From difficult breakups if things don't work out.
- You get RESPECT
- From friends and family, for making your own decision and sticking to it.
- You get TIME
- To make sure you're ready.
- To get to know yourself.
- To find the right person.
- To learn the difference between love and sex.
- To think about relationships and how to be in one.
- To know and trust your significant other.
- You get STRONGER RELATIONSHIPS
- Building friendship and a trusting relationship is often easier without the confusion, pressures and strong feelings that come with sex.
Source: Kay Clark, high school student
(top)
Q: Can you get pregnant if you use birth control?
A: Yes! Many sexually-active teens don't use protection at all or use it inconsistently or incorrectly, however even if used perfectly, all methods of birth control have a failure rate, ranging from 0.05 percent for Norplant to 9 percent for the sponge and calendar rhythm.
The only way to make 100-percent sure that you won't get pregnant or get someone pregnant is to not have sex.
Source: www.teenpregnancy.org, Hatcher, R.A., Trussel, J., Stewart, F., Cates Jr. W., Stewart, G.K., Guest, F., and Kowal, D. (1998) Contraceptive Technology, 17th revised ed. New York , NY: Ardent Media, Inc.
(top)
Q: Is oral sex really sex?
A: Oral sex is contact of one person's mouth or tongue with the genitals of another person. There is widespread confusion about whether oral sex is sex. At FUPTP* we define sexual activity as bodily contact meant to derive sexual gratification and therefore view oral sex as sex. That means vaginal sex, anal sex and oral sex.
It is important to know that although pregnancy is not an issue with oral sex, a wide variety of STDs (Sexually Transmitted Diseases) can be spread through oral sex. Some of them are painful. Some of them are untreatable. And some of them can be deadly.
Source: Medical Institute for Sexual Health, Oral Sex and STDs fact sheet, www.medinstitute.org
(top)
Q: How does sexual intercourse feel?
A: In the right setting, sexual activity can be very pleasurable and enjoyable physically and emotionally. At FUPTP* we stress that SEX is NOT a "bad thing" by any means and we don't deny the fact that sex can feel good.
We emphasize however, that "the best sex" is in marriage. Sexual intercourse should always be a very sacred and significant occurrence and there should be no reservations or feeling of guilt, regret, etc.
"Great sex" requires commitment and responsibility and being in love and married ensures that sense of commitment and responsibility.
(top)
Q: Can you get pregnant if you have sex standing up?
A: Yes! Pregnancy can occur in ANY position, as long as the male sperm meets the female ova (egg) conception can occur.
(top)
Q: Can you get pregnant the first time you have sex?
A: Yes. Teen girls can get pregnant the first time they have sex, and every time after that. A couple that doesn't use birth control has an 85 percent chance of pregnancy within one year.
Source: www.teenpregnancy.org, Hatcher, R.A., Trussel, J., Stewart, F., Cates Jr. W., Stewart, G.K., Guest, F., and Kowal, D. (1998) Contraceptive Technology, 17th revised ed. New York , NY: Ardent Media, Inc.
(top)
Q: What are the chances I’ll get a sexually transmitted disease?
A: The United States is experiencing a major epidemic of sexually transmitted infections. Over 60 million Americans are currently infected with an STD and 15 million new cases of sexually transmitted diseases occur each year.(1)
Here’s what you need to know:
- One quarter (25%) of these new STD infections occur in people ages 15 to 19 years old.
That’s 1 out of every 4 of your friends and classmates.
- Two thirds (more than 66%) occur in young people under the age of 25. (2)
For you Gen Yers, that’s TWO out of every THREE People with an STD.
Sources: (1) American Social Health Association. Sexually Transmitted Diseases in America: How many Cases and at What Cost? Menlo Park: CA. Kaiser Family Foundation: 1998.
(1) Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Tracking the Hidden Epidemics--Trends in STDs in the United States 2000. Available at www.cdc.gov/nchstp/dstdp.html Accessed on September 20, 2001
(2) Eng TR, Butler WT, eds. The Hidden Epidemic--Confronting Sexually Transmitted Disease. Institute of Medicine, Washington DC National Academy Pres: 1997
(top)
Q: What diseases can I get from sex?
A: FUPTP* highlights ten common sexually transmitted infections that are spread through engaging in sexual activity (including sexual intercourse --vaginal or anal), oral sex or genital contact; however there are more that exist.
Please refer to the FUPTP Sexually Transmitted Diseases Overview Chart for additional information.
(top)
Q: How do you know if you have a STD?
A: Some STDs come along with symptoms, however many do not. The only way you can know for sure you do not have a STD is to be checked out by a medical provider.
If you've already been sexually active, talk to your healthcare provider about getting you and your partner tested for STDs. Abstinence from sexual activity -including oral sex- or mutual, lifetime faithfulness to one uninfected partner is the only certain way to avoid being infected.
Source: Medical Institute for Sexual Health, Oral Sex and STDs fact sheet, www.medinstitute.org
*FUPTP stands for Families United to Prevent Teen Pregnancy.
(top) |
