Making Healthy Sexual Decisions:

Talking With Your Partner

Intro	Emergency Contraception
Talking With Your Partner	Sexual Orientation
Getting Advice & What to Ask	Quiz: Are You Ready for Sex?

Before you decide to have a sexual relationship, talk with your partner about whether having sex is what you both want.

1. Ask about his or her sexual history, including if he or she has had any STI's.
2. Talk about STI prevention methods.
3. If you are in a heterosexual (straight) relationship, talk about birth control and what you would do if it failed. If you feel that you don't need to talk to your partner about these issues, then you should rethink whether or not you should be having a sexual relationship.
4. Be open and honest about whether you or your partner have been, or will be sexually involved with other people. Remember, the risk of getting an STI or a virus that can cause cancer or AIDS is increased if you or your partner(s) are having sexual intercourse with other people. The more partners, the greater the risk!
5. Talk to your primary care provider about condom use and about how to prevent STI's.

It's important for guys to remember that a female can get pregnant at ANY time if you have sex without a condom or if she is not using birth control correctly. To lessen the chance of a pregnancy and STI's, you should use a latex condom every time you have sex, from start to finish. The only way to absolutely prevent your partner from getting pregnant or either of you from getting an STI is to not have sex.

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Next: Getting Advice & What to Ask

Written by the CYWH and YMH Staff at Children's Hospital Boston

Updated: 1/19/2011