Words from the Wise

Now that I am getting into my mid-twenties and feeling old, I am starting to reflect more on my early days of womanhood, and on the knowledge (or lack there of!) I had about sex and sexuality.

I have learned a great deal about safe sex practices over the past few years, but all of this knowledge would have been much more useful when I was younger! My friends and I often talk about this, about the things we wish we had known in high school and college. Honestly this list could probably go on for days, but I thought I would share the things that my friends and I think would have been most helpful to have known way back when. When we were just beginning to explore our sexuality.

I have narrowed down to the top ten “things we wish we had been told”:

- There are so many options for birth control OTHER than the condom and the pill. And they are all equally worth exploring.

- IUD’s are for young people too – not just for after you have children.

- Being on the pill is not 100% effective in preventing pregnancy and taking the pill correctly and consistently is really really hard.

- Health centers and clinics will help you with absolutely any question or request. They have truly seen and heard it all.

- Condoms really do break sometimes.

- Everyone reacts differently to hormonal methods of birth control, and it might take some trial and error to find the perfect type for your body. The trial and error process is annoying, but worth it.

- Getting contraception is very easy. And also definitely worth the effort.

- Alcohol does not make sex more fun or less awkward.

- Thinking about your own personal values and boundaries before getting involved with someone is really helpful in carrying through with good decisions.

- So many people (including friends, colleagues, family members) are misinformed about sex. Find a trustworthy source for your information!

Have any of your own?? Share them with me!