Safer Sex Action Plan

If you feel comfortable talking with your parents about sex, that’s great. Many parents are relieved to learn that you’re making responsible choices about sex, and being open with them about your decision to use condoms can make you even closer to them. If this is not an option, there are many discrete ways to store and carry condoms. Make-up cases, pouches, or zipper compartments in a bag or backpack can work well. Just make sure you don’t put them in a pocket or leave them in a hot car! And switch them out every month or two.

Be open and honest with your partner. Sometimes it’s easier to talk about your feelings before you’re in the moment of having sex. Explain why it’s important to you to use protection and how you would like your partner to support your decision. Then, make sure you have condoms with you. If your partner still pressures you, they are not being respectful to you or your wishes.

It can be uncomfortable to buy condoms or other forms of birth control. Maybe you’re afraid someone will see you and judge you. Often, health clinics or doctors’ offices will give out condoms for free. Or you can buy them from a store farther away from people you know or ask a friend to buy them for you.

Don’t let sticker shock prevent you from using condoms. There are lots of places to get inexpensive or free condoms. For free condoms, start at your county health department or your local Planned Parenthood. For less expensive condoms, shop online or a large discount store (like Walmart or Target).

Carry condoms at all times—then you’ll always have one when you need it. You can keep them in a small make-up bag or in a wallet. Just make sure you don’t put them in a pocket or leave them in a hot car! Switch them out after a month or two, as condoms can break down from being carried in a wallet or bag. If you still don’t have a condom when you need it, commit to waiting to have sex until you can get one.

Maybe you’ve seen those videos of people putting condoms on a banana or cucumber. It might seem funny, but practice makes perfect. Learning how to use a condom ahead of time can give you confidence when you’re ready to use one for real. Check out Planned Parenthood’s video on how to put on a condom: https://youtu.be/EdSq2HB7jqU to do it for you, can be part of the experience.

Talk to your partner and make sure you’re both prepared and have condoms with you. It’s best to have more than one condom just in case. Keep a condom somewhere close by that makes it easy to reach for.

Wanting to use condoms isn’t about trust, it’s about health. Many STIs, like chlamydia, have no symptoms so you or your partner could have one and not even know it. Plus, if you’re having sex that could result in pregnancy, condoms provide additional pregnancy prevention. Want to know whether you’re both STI-free? Go get tested together.

Drinking alcohol or using drugs can get in the way of making safer decisions about sex. Avoiding drinking too much or using drugs before having sex can help you follow through with your plan to use condoms. You can monitor the amount of alcohol you are drinking by always pouring your own drinks, mixing your drinks weaker and substituting every other drink with water.

There are many different types of condoms. Try different condoms to find one that you like—like ultrafine, ribbed or textured. The key is to find something that makes you and your partner feel good while staying protected.

Using condoms doesn’t have to interrupt sex—it can be a part of it. Opening and putting on a condom for your partner, or asking your partner to do it for you, can be part of the experience.

If you feel comfortable talking to your parents about getting birth control, that’s great. If you don’t, your parents don’t have to know. Legally, you have the right to get and use birth control, and your doctor can’t tell your parents. Keep in mind, though, that if you’re on your parents’ insurance, they may end up finding out. You can choose other birth control options (like condoms) or go to a local health clinic for lower cost or free options.

There are many ways you can get birth control. Ideally, you should be able to ask a parent or caregiver to make an appointment for you to talk with your regular doctor or clinician. If that is not an option for you, you can make a confidential appointment to discuss birth control options at a local health clinic. Try searching for a clinic near you using this website: https://www.teensource.org/find-a-clinic

The cost of birth control depends on what type of insurance you have. Even so, there are lots of less expensive and even free birth control options. Be open with your healthcare provider about this concern. They may be able to give you a generic version or suggest other ways to keep costs down. You may also be able to find low-cost or free birth control options in your area.

The pharmacy is required by law to respect and protect your privacy. No one will know what you’re picking up, and if you call for a refill, you can ask them to be extra discreet. If you’re still not comfortable getting your prescription, there are other options, like pharmacies that send you your prescription in the mail.

Bringing up birth control can be tough. A trusted adult—especially a parent, guardian, or older family member—can be a good choice. Try to choose a time when the two of you are alone and not distracted by other things. If you don’t have anyone at home to talk to, try the school nurse, school counselor, or a medical professional at a health clinic.

Every type of birth control is a little different. Learn more about the different types of hormonal birth control and check out Bedsider’s “How to Use” section under each method: https://www.bedsider.org/methods

Every type of birth control is a little different. Studies have shown that the pill does not cause weight gain for women. In some women, a birth control shot may cause some gain weight. Discuss these concerns with your health care provider and they can recommend the best options for you. You can also learn more about the different types of hormonal birth control by checking out Bedsider’s “Side Effects” section under each method: https://www.bedsider.org/methods

If you’re taking the pill, set an alarm to remind you to take it every day. Or pair it with an activity you’re already doing each day, like brushing your teeth. If you change a patch or ring, put it on your calendar or pair with an activity you do weekly or every few weeks. If you need to go to the doctor or clinic for a shot, make appointments ahead of time and plan the way you’ll get there. You can also set up reminders for yourself at Bedsider.com: http://bedsider.org/reminders/new

Most hormonal birth control methods have some side effects, and most are relatively mild. But if you start using one and have a side effect you don’t like, tell your healthcare provider who prescribed it right away. You have many other choices! http://www.healthline.com/health/birth-control-effects-on-body

If have you certain health conditions hormonal birth control may not always be an option. However there are many types of hormonal birth control available. Talk to your healthcare provider about what is right for you. If hormonal birth control is not an option, certain IUDs, condoms, or diaphragms may work better for you for pregnancy prevention.

A lot of birth control methods are working continuously and don’t need to be used in the moment, so they shouldn’t have any effect on the mood. If there’s something else going on that that ruins the mood, talk to your partner so you can figure out a solution.