To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance.
- Oscar Wilde You have the right to feel confused, even scared these days.
It used to be that pregnancy was the big thing to watch out for.
Now with AIDS and the rise of other sexually transmitted diseases,
there is a lot more to worry about. It is important that you learn
the facts to protect yourself and others. Sex doesn't have to be scary.
But it does have to be safe. Try to be honest with yourself and think
about your fears and desires first so that you can be realistic about
how to proect yourself and others during sex. Don't forget to
take a look at the other factors in your life that might weaken your immune
system. Your immune system is the body's collection of natural defenses
against disease. A weakened immune system can make it more likely for you
to become infected if exposed to a STD, including HIV. If you are infected
with a STD, you may become more likely to develop symptoms. Your immune
system can be weakened by smoking, lack of sleep and exercise, alcohol
and other drugs, stress, a poor diet and repeated exposure to STD's,
especially if you are already infected. Alcohol and other recreational
drugs may also impair your judgment and ability to make good decisions
about practicing safer sex. Make a commitment to yourself to take care
of your body and decide how you are going to carry out that commitment.
It's never too late to begin. | |
