It is important that you know that it is okay to say ‘no’ to having sex.
You receive messages about sex on a daily basis from television, magazines and friends and it is important that you do not feel that you have to have sex just because all your friends say that they are, or because your boyfriend or girlfriend wants you to.
It is also important to realise that relationships are about love and friendship and not just about having sex.
There are a lot of things you need to know about sexually transmitted infections, pregnancy, how to protect yourself if you are sexually active and where to go for advice, support, testing and treatment.
In North Lincolnshire, Choices health sessions are avaliable for the under 25s. They offer free confidential information on all health issues. They also offer condom cards to young people who need them.
Choices health sessions operate in some colleges, health clinics, youth clubs and schools.
Contraception:
You may not understand all the different types of contraception available, how to use them (such as how to put a condom on) and how to access them.
It is also important that you realise both men and women have a responsibility for contraception.
Using condoms in addition to other forms of contraception is best, as contraception such as the pill only protects against unwanted pregnancy and not against sexually transmitted infections.
The the implant is now available in North Lincolnshire including some Choices clinics. This method of contraception is 80 times more effective than the pill.
You also need to realise that it is illegal for anyone under the age of 16 to have sex. However many young people under this age are sexually active.
Under 16s can access advice, contraception and can consent to medical treatment including termination of pregnancy without their parents knowledge. But only if the doctor they see decides that they have understood what is involved and the possible effects of the treatment.
Doctors and other health professionals will try to encourage you to talk to your parents/carers, but they also have to respect your right to confidentiality.
Unprotected sex:
Emergency contraception is a form of contraception that can be used up to five days after unprotected sex to prevent a pregnancy.
There are two types:
The emergency contraceptive pill can be taken up to three days after unprotected sex but is most effective if taken within the first 24 hours.
It is free of charge from family planning clinics and some chemists. You can also get it from some GPs or from some pharmacists if you are under 20.