Have you decided that you are old enough and ready for sex? Then it’s important to know how to protect yourself and your partner. You’ll want to know how to prevent a pregnancy and how to stay safe from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV.

There are many types of birth control (contraception) that girls can use. They vary in how well they prevent pregnancy, how much they cost and how easy they are to use.

What you also want to know is whether they protect against the infections you can catch from unprotected sex (STIs). Just one contraception option protects you both from pregnancy as well as STIs including HIV. This is barrier protection - a male condom or female condom.

Every time you have sex, you are at risk of pregnancy and STIs including HIV. But if you get into the habit of having safer sex every time, you can greatly lower these risks.

Safer sex means:

• You use contraception
• You use condoms correctly and consistently
• You have sex with just one partner and use condoms
• Your partner isn’t infected
• Your partner has no other sexual partners

As a young man, you don’t want to leave these things to chance - or to your lady. Encourage her to visit the clinic or go with her. Read our guides below to learn more about the birth control options available to you.