The decision to have sex is a very important one, and there are lots of things to think about.
Sexual relationships affect your physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. whether you are considering sexual activity, or you have already had sex,
there are risks for pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) even when using birth control or condoms.
The only sure way to avoid getting an STI or to prevent pregnancy is to make the decision to not have sex.
Once you are in a long-term, mutually monogamous and committed relationship with an uninfected partner in marriage, you will have no reason to worry about getting an STI.
Your health is important. The decision you make today could affect your health for the rest of your life.
When you have sex with someone, you are having sex with everyone they have ever had sex with, and everyone they and their partners have had sex with.
An STI (Sexually Transmitted Infection) is an infection that does not show any physical signs or symptoms. It is contracted from another infected person through sexual activity.
It becomes an STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease) when symptoms appear. Its important to remember that not all infected people will have signs or symptoms.
The problem is that some of these STDs can cause lots of damage and can be passed to your partner without your knowledge.
You do not have to have symptoms to be contagious; you can spread the disease at any time.
Did you know:
- STDs can be contracted through oral, anal, vaginal, or even just sexual contact. Anytime theres sex, there can be STDs.
- A condom does not prevent you from getting a sexually transmitted disease, even if you use it every time.
- More than half of all people will have an STD/STI at some point in their lifetime.
- Many STDs have no visible symptoms, and can be transmitted by oral sex as well as intercourse.
- Each year, one in four teens contracts an STD/STI.
- One in two sexually active persons will contact an STD/STI by age 25.
- At least 15 percent of all American women who are infertile can attribute it to tubal damage caused by pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) , the result of an untreated STD.[1]
*For more information on STD's CLICK HERE
If you have chosen to protect your physical emotional and spiritual well being by choosing not to have sex until marriage, Congratulations!!!
You have taken charge of your own decisions and you are among the majority of young people in your age group.
The Centers for Disease Control [2] reports statistics that show that most teens are not sexually active and those who are dont want to be.
Remember that you are carving your path for the future with the decisions that you make now. Your sexual health is up to you.
Do you want to talk with someone about your relationships? We are here for you. Please feel free to contact us at pregnancy.help_att.net or call us at 314-729-9800
1. http://optionsnowforwomen.com/sexhealth.html
2. Centers For Disease Control, STD Surveillance, 1998
3. www.southcountypregnancyhelp.com
Home