Of course it's your body and it's up to you what you do with it. That's why you need to make informed choices to protect yourself from accidental pregnancy and STDs, as well as the emotions that having sex can stir up. Making smart sexual decisions is easier than you might think--all it takes is a little foresight and planning before you're in the heat of the moment. So make the effort to safeguard your physical and emotional health now and in the long-term.

As a first step, it's very important to know your own body. Knowing what is "normal" for you is important so that you can tell when something is different. If you're a woman, you should pay attention to how often your menstrual periods are, how much you normally bleed, and what kind of discomfort (if any) you have with your period. A simple and easy thing that can help is to mark when your periods start and end on a calendar. Between your periods, you should know what your vaginal discharge is like, so that you can tell if something changes. Being aware of how your body works when it it's healthy will help you recognize any symptoms that may signal an unintended pregnancy or STD.

Everyone--women and men--should be aware of any skin changes (like sores) on the genitals, as well as any unusual discharge or discomfort when urinating; these could be signs of an STD. However, many STDs show no symptoms: talk with your healthcare provider about your risk, and what STDs you should consider getting tested for.