Decide who the ‘people of value’ are in your life. These are the real people you know who mean something to you. Look after them and your relationship with them.
You cannot catch an STI from sitting on a toilet seat. Sexually transmitted infections are passed on through unprotected vaginal, anal or oral sex, and sharing sex toys. The only way to protect against STIs is to use a condom every time you have sex.
It is not harmful for a man – or woman – not to have sex. A man’s testicles will not explode if he does not have an orgasm. Men produce sperm all the time, and if they don’t ejaculate it is simply absorbed into their body.
Chlamydia can make you infertile if left untreated, if you’re a woman. In men, chlamydia may lead to a painful infection in the testicles and can sometimes reduce fertility.
Having sex is a very personal decision, and you might not feel ready to have a sexual relationship for months or years after puberty. It is a personal choice.
Having breasts does not mean a girl is ready for sex. A girl’s breasts start to develop at puberty, around age 10 to 16, but this doesn’t mean she should start having sex, or that she will feel ready.
Having an abortion does not mean you’re unlikely to get pregnant again. You will also need to use reliable contraception to avoid becoming pregnant as fertility returns almost immediately after the abortion.
Being assertive is neither passive nor aggressive: you act and encourage others to be open and honest about their views, wishes and feelings, so that both parties act appropriately.
If something is troubling you, Samaritans are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. All chats are completely confidential. You can reach them on 08457 90 90 90 or jo@samaritans.org .
Aggressive behaviour includes being loud and opinionated, dominating the conversation, often interrupting, and rarely listening. If they disagree with you, this is often done with sarcasm or a putdown.