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18/f.
My bf and I have been together for awhile. He's my first one and I'm pretty sure he's the one. The farthest we've gone is making out but I think I'm ready to go further. The only thing is is that I'm not experienced nor am I very educated when it comes to sex. He is, but he's very respectful on the fact that I'm not and that I'm still a virgin. We've never even TALKED about having sex yet. I have a few questions that I would like to have answered before I go to him and we talk about the idea of having sex.

Of course we would use a condom. But as far as the second method of protection (because I believe you should have more than one), what would be the best one? Most girls take birth control. How soon should you start taking it before you actually have sex? And once you take them, how often do you take it? I believe there are many different types of birth control as well, isn't there? And how would you go about getting it?

And being tested. Should he be tested for any STDs or anything before hand? Should we both be tested? Where would you go to do that?

Thats all the questions I have but is there any other information that I should know?

I think I'm ready to be with him but I'm still kind of clueless. But even after I get answers to all these questions I'm not going to rush into anything. I haven't even talked to him about it yet so I still have a little while.

But thank you for taking the time to help me :o)

Hi! :) Well that's really good you are looking into this before you jump into anything. I'll get straight to the point as far as your questions.

There are a few forms of a birth control out there - they have the pill (of course), the shot, & the ring.

To begin with - the shot prevents you from having your period for so many months. Although doctors say it's safe to go without a period, I believe we have our period for a reason. (Remember, that is just my opinion.) I know a couple girls who tried the ring & just had too many technical problems with it. Everyone is different, so maybe the shot or ring is good for you & not everyone else. But in my opinion, birth control pills are probably your best bet.

You take them everyday at the same time (so every 24 hrs). It's considered late if you take them 4 hours late. (Example: Say you take your pill at 8am every morning. Then the next day you forgot it & took it at 2pm. That would be late.) To avoid missing your pill, set your phone for alarm to remind you a few minutes ahead of time. That's what I do & I've never missed one pill.

The birth control pills are 99% effective with perfect use (meaning never missed a pill & were never late.) With typical use (ocassionally missing one or two in the week or two before sex) it's about 92% effective. There was a theory that you needed to be on birth control for about a month (before having sex without a condom) to give the birth control time to "kick in." But according to a recent issue of Cosmopolitan, studies show that's not necessarily true & you should be okay the first couple of pills of starting birth control.

Just go to your local Planned Parenthood clinic & ask them what's best for you.

As far as STD testing - absolutely! Both get tested. Even if you know you've never had sex or done anything sexually with anyone. It'll only be fair & safe. That's available at most clinics including Planned Parenthood.

For other information I suggest going to their website.

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(Rating: 5) Thank you. I know it was kind of long and I had a bunch of questions.
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