Sex is a really personal decision, and everyone is different. In the U.S. the average age a person has sex is 17—which means about 50% of high school seniors haven’t had sex (and about half have.)

When you’re deciding whether or not to have sex, the most important things to consider are whether you and your partner feel ready to take this step and whether you have protection. There’s no point in a relationship or specific age when you’re supposed to have sex—it’s all about when you and your partner feel comfortable and safe. Sex is a big step in a relationship, and it’s totally okay if you’re not ready yet.

If you and your partner decide you’re ready for sex, it’s important to use protection. Check out our Birth Control Explorer to find out what options are available, or have a conversation with your doctor.

An IUD is a t-shaped piece of plastic that goes into a woman’s uterus and protects her from getting pregnant for three to 12 years, depending on what kind she gets. An IUD is a “set it and forget it” form of birth control, meaning that you don’t have to remember to take a pill everyday or go for a shot every month. It’s also super effective—more than 99%! According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, long acting birth control like the IUD are a great option for teens. If you’re interesting in long acting birth control, your best bet is to have a conversation with your health care provider about which brand is best for you, since everybody is different. If you need help finding a doctor, check out our Clinic Locator. To explore the other birth control options that are available to you, take a look at our Birth Control Explorer.

Anytime you have sex there is a risk of pregnancy, even if you’re using a condom. Condoms are 82% effective with typical use and protect from STIs, so they’re a pretty good form of birth control. But it’s smart to double up with a another compatible form of birth control to make sure that you and your partner have extra protection against an unplanned pregnancy. To see all of the birth control options available, check out our Birth Control Explorer or have a conversation with your doctor.

If you’re taking the pill consistently, you will still be protected on placebo pill days, and are able to have sex at any time of your cycle. But consider doubling up on protection—if you also use barrier form of birth control, like male or female condoms, you’ll be extra protected from both unplanned pregnancy and STIs.

If you’re looking for a new method, the implant and the IUD are both long-lasting and really effective! To see all of the options available to you, check out our Birth Control Explorer or have a conversation with your doctor.

Both the pill and the implant are good methods of birth control, but the implant is more effective (up to 99% as compared to the pill’s 91%) and you don’t have to remember to take it every day. Plus, the implant has the added benefit of being long-lasting—it last up to three years, but you can have it removed at any time—and totally private. If you’re interested in a long-acting form of birth control that’s easy to hide, the implant might be a good option for you. To see all of the methods available to you, check out our Birth Control Explorer or have a chat with your health care provider.

Every body is different, so everyone has a different “best” form of birth control. If you’re forgetful and can’t remember to take a pill every day, a longer acting form of birth control—like the IUD or implant—might be best for you. Talk to your health care provider to see what option is the best fit for your body and your lifestyle. To browse all of the options available to you, check out our Birth Control Explorer.

The answer to this question depends of two things: what type of pill you are using and where you are in your menstrual cycle when you start taking it. If you are using a combination pill and you start taking the pill within five days of starting your period, you are protected right away. If you start at any other time during you cycle, you should use a back-up method—like condoms—for seven days. Progestin-only pills, on the other hand, take 48 hours to become effective regardless of when you start taking them. This means you should definitely use a back-up method for the first 48 hours. Not sure what kind of pill you are using? Give your health care provider a call. And remember that birth control pills don’t protect against STIs, so consider using a condom for extra protection.

You can get many kinds of birth control without your parents knowing, even if you’re a minor. One of the easiest methods of birth control to obtain privately is condoms, because there are no age restrictions and they’re really easy to get. If you’re interested in hormonal birth control (like the pill, patch, ring, shot, implant, and IUD), those require a visit to a health care provider. Each state makes its own laws about confidentiality for patients under 18. When calling to make an appointment, tell your age, ask if you need parental consent for your visit and the method you want, and ask whether the clinic guarantees confidentiality. If you’re visiting your usual health care provider’s office using health insurance under a parent’s name, try calling your insurance and doctor’s office to ask about confidentiality.

Need help finding a clinic? Use our clinic locator; just type in your zip code for all the info you’ll need to find a health center nearby.

Birth control can have different side effects because everyone’s body is different. It’s a common misconception that everyone gains weight when they go on the pill, but studies have shown over and over again that the pill doesn’t make you fat. Many young women are starting birth control for the first time while their body is going through many other changes, so it can be easy to blame those change on the pill. The truth is that the pill can be used without an expected weight gain. If you’re worried about the side effects of birth control, check out our Birth Control Explorer or ask your health care provider for some more information.