You and bae are so into each other, you want to start having sex. It’s your body, it’s your choice, but there are a few things to consider first. There’s pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), including HIV. Sex also comes with a lot of intense feelings.

The first time

A lot of changes happen to your body when you reach puberty, including getting your period. It’s your body's way of letting you know that you're growing up and will be able to make babies.

As long as you’re a girl having sex, you can fall pregnant. It can happen the first time you have sex regardless of how you do it (on your period, doing it standing up, or taking a bath!) The only way to reduce the chances of unplanned pregnancy is by using birth control. Condoms are the only type of protection that can help prevent pregnancy and STIs.

Using condoms properly

• Store in cool dry places, like your drawer.
• Check the expiry date.
• Check the package for damage.
• Open gently.
• Never use the same condom twice

Contraceptives are not 100 % effective and don’t always work. For the different types of contraceptives to be effective, you need to follow the instructions given to you by a doctor or nurse. Your nurse or doctor will talk you through the different types of contraception available to you and help you choose one which fits your needs and lifestyle.

Heart and Mind

The decision to have sex is always yours, you should never be pressured into doing it, whether the pressure is from your friends or your bae. Remember, it’s your body and it’s your choice- nobody has the right to make you do something you don’t want to do just like you also don’t have the right to make someone else, whether it’s a friend or your bae, do things they are uncomfortable with.