It's Prom Time!

For many high school students across the nation, its finally time for Prom! A time to get a pretty dress, buy corsages, rent limos, and try to convince mom and dad to stay out all night long. This is also a time that many teens may be considering having sex for the first time. Thinking about having sex may be stressful and scary for many teens because it may mean having to think about how to prevent an unintended pregnancy. You may already know about birth control, or you many not have a clue about your contraceptive options. Although talking about birth control may be embarrassing, if you can't talk to your partner about this, then maybe you aren't ready to have sex.

Did you know that 1 in 5 girls become pregnant in the US before the age of 20? Teen pregnancy is a huge issue facing American youth, so you must act responsibly if you are planning to have sex -- on prom night -- or whenever. I realize that there is so much available information about teen sex that it may be hard to know where to begin and which sources to trust. And if you do end up having unprotected sex after your prom, remember that you can buy Plan B One-Step (the morning-after pill)  without a prescription.

• Here are a few tips to help you get started: Teen Sex Advice: Thinking About Having Sex?
• Plus (for all you parents out there): What Teens Want To Know When You Talk About Sex

Please share your stories!

• Parents: How Did Your Sex Talk Go with Your Teens?
• Teens: Have You Talked to Your Parents About Sex and How To Get Birth Control?

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