Pregnancy can occur anytime that semen enters the vagina. Almost all pregnancies result from unprotected penetrative sex, with the penis in the vagina. Pregnancy cannot occur between two vulva-owners. Not just cisgender women get pregnant–when a person with a penis ejaculates inside a person’s vagina, they can get pregnant, whether they are trans, nonbinary, cisgender, or something else. Pregnancy is not possible with oral sex, anal sex, or non-penetrative sexual activities. [3] X Research source Semen must enter the vagina to cause pregnancy. [4] X Research source Precum (a fluid the penis releases in small amounts when aroused) typically does not contain viable sperm. Unlike semen, precum is unlikely to cause pregnancy, but there is a small risk. [5] X Research source
Some STDs can take six months or longer to show up on a test. [8] X Trustworthy Source National Health Service (UK) Public healthcare system of the UK Go to source This is known as an incubation period and it varies with which STD and test used. If you and your sexual partner only have sex with each other, you only need to be tested once (although it doesn’t hurt to get tested regularly). Get tested again if you suspect your partner has had sex with someone else, or if either of you have used injected drugs with a shared needle. Everyone should get the HPV-9, hepatitis A, and hepatitis B vaccines before becoming sexually active. If you get vaccinated after being infected with these viruses, vaccines will not be effective in treating the conditions.
Female condoms/internal condoms are slightly less effective, reducing the chance to 5% when used correctly. [10] X Research source Do not use a female (internal) and male (external) condom at the same time. Using condoms and one of the methods below is an excellent way to protect yourself and your sexual partner.
U. S. law prevents your doctor from telling your parents/guardian about your birth control. However, they may find out if you pay for it using your parent’s health insurance. Birth control typically costs US$15–$50 per month, so you and your sexual partner may be able to pay for it yourselves. [13] X Research source These pills are very safe for most people but may cause health issues if you have serious health issues related to your heart or blood. Smoking increases this risk. Learn about the pros and cons before taking them. Birth control pills make your menstrual cycle more regular and may reduce unpleasant side effects, such as acne and cramping.
Sperm can survive for a few days in the vagina, so if you’re sex with somebody with a penis and you have a vagina, sex before ovulation can still lead to pregnancy. To track this, keep a menstrual cycle calendar with signs of an approaching period. If you want to be extra safe, track your ovulation.
The withdrawal method, where a person with a penis ‘pulls out’ before ejaculation in somebody with a vagina, is not recommended by most experts. While it does reduce pregnancy somewhat when followed correctly, there is a risk they will not pull out in time, or change their mind after sex has started. This method also offers no protection against STDs. [16] X Research source
Do you and your partner understand how pregnancy and STDs work? Can you talk openly about the risk, and agree on a method or methods of protection? Do you and your partner trust and respect each other? Would your partner listen if you changed you mind and said “stop”? Are your personal values compatible with the sexual experience you’re considering? Would your family and community be okay with this if they knew? If you answer “no,” are you comfortable accepting that fact?
Only have sex when you and your partner genuinely want to. If one of you is pressuring the other, put this to a stop and wait until both of you are ready. Don’t have sex because you think everyone else is doing it. Most high school students have not had sex, and the ones that do don’t have sex very often. Don’t have sex to save a failing romantic relationship. It won’t work.
Make sure you’re on the same page about what sex means to your relationship. Is it just for fun? Do you love each other? Is this an exclusive relationship?
Finding privacy can be difficult, but try not to do it in your car. This is illegal in some areas. Try to restrict yourselves to one of your homes, while there are no other people around.
Doing something once does not mean you have to do it again. You and your partner are allowed to have a different comfort level on a different day.
The typical person with a penis lasts five minutes during penetrative sex before ejaculating. [24] X Research source Some people with vulvas take longer to orgasm than their partner, or have trouble achieving orgasm from penile-vaginal sex alone. They can still enjoy sex and may choose to orgasm through assisted masturbation or non-penetrative sex.
Continuing intercourse with a partner who asks you to stop is morally wrong, even if it began as consensual sex. In many regions, this is legally considered rape or sexual assault.
Roughly 10% of straight couples and 66% of male gay couples (in the UK) practice anal sex regularly.
If you are avoiding sex for religious or cultural reasons, understand that some of the practices in this section may be considered sex by your religion/culture’s standards.
Neither partner should feel obligated to perform other sexual acts to avoid intercourse.
The CDC reports that over 60% of U. S. residents between the ages of 15 and 24 have had oral sex, compared to about 50% who have had vaginal intercourse. [29] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source The CDC study also reports that patients visiting STD clinics have shown that 5-10% have gonorrhea in the throat, and can raise the risk for infection by chlamydia, herpes, syphilis, and cancer-causing HPV, and recommends using safe sex techniques when performing oral sex.
This can still spread STDs and bacterial infections.
If your partner doesn’t understand, or is insistent, don’t be surprised: they may not be quite as ready to stop as you are, and might be a little confused and flustered. However, if they remain insistent, or demanding, or even attempt emotional blackmail such as “If you loved me you would keep going,” send them home to cool down, and re-think if you want to be in that situation with them again.
