Things to Consider Before Having Sex
Reflect on your feelings about who you are, your boundaries and what you’re comfortable doing.
- Do you want to be in a committed relationship before having sex?
- Is this important to your partner(s) too?
- Are you interested in having sex?
- Are you feeling pressured?
- You shouldn’t have sex if you aren’t interested in or are feeling pressured to have sex.
- Sexual consent is when people agree to sex without pressure or manipulation.
- It’s important to talk about boundaries and what people want to do and do not want to do.
- Did you give and get consent before engaging in any form of intimacy?
- Being honest is important in any relationship, but it’s especially important in a sexual relationship.
- Are you being honest to yourself and to your partner(s)?
- Getting tested can help prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- Have you or your partner(s) had oral, vaginal or anal sex in the past?
- Did you know you can get tested for STIs for free at Student Health Service?
- Call (909) 869-4000 to make an appointment.
- Bronco Wellness Center also provides free HIV testing every Tuesday from 11am-12:45 pm. It’s free, confidential and only takes 20 minutes. Walk in for services.
- Check out this link to learn more about STIs, testing, and latex barriers: http://www.ashasexualhealth.org/stdsstis/get-tested/
- Are you using protection?
- Do you know how to use protection correctly?
- If you’re having vaginal sex, use birth control and condoms to protect against pregnancy and STIs. If you’re having anal and/or oral sex, condoms and dental dams to help prevent STIs.
- Talk with your partner(s) about how you can make sex safer.
- Have you talked to your partner(s) about consent, protection and your values surrounding sex?
- For videos and tips on how to communicate visit:
- American Sexual Health Association:
- Planned Parenthood:
- How do I talk to my partner about sex: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/sex-and-relationships/sex/how-do-i-talk-my-partner-about-sex
- Consent 101: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNN3nAevQKY&list=PL3xP1jlf1jgJRkChwVOlwQcV0-UqcWiFV
- How to Tell Someone You Have an STD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxV7CiE2Bwc