Females: Your Period / Question
Published: April 24, 2002
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I haven't gotten my period yet, but I was wondering- Can I have sex even though I don't have my period? I really want too.
Signed: Sex Before First Period
Dear Sex Before First Period,
Menstruation and getting your period for the first time has nothing to do with whether one can have sex or not. However if you have not had your first period, this would suggest to TeenHealthFX that you are probably younger then 14. If this is the case, then you really need to slow down and look at what you are doing. The law does not recognize that a teenager has the emotional maturity to consent to a sexual relationship until that person has reached the age of 14. Research also shows us that girls who have sex at a younger age tend to be involved with older males and are more likely to be in abusive relationships.
TeenHealthFX cannot tell you what to do with your body, but we strongly urge you to look at the reasons why you would want to engage in a sexual relationship. Is the relationship your idea or is someone else influencing you? Do you feel by having sex the other person will like you more? Reasons like these often leave the person feeling confused especially when the relationship does not work out. Before you make such an important decision it probably would be best to talk it over with an adult you trust, or with the school nurse, a school counselor or your doctor. Ultimately the decision is yours, but please think about it and make sure it is the right decision for you.
If you still want to have sex, please go to a teen health center or a Planned Parenthood in your area to discuss and get birth control and safer sex methods like condoms, the pill and/or Depo-Provera. You can be seen at a teen health center for little or no cost, and without parental permission. If you live in northern New Jersey you can contact the Adolescent/Young Adult Center For Health at 973.971.6475 for an appointment to meet with a doctor.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
Teens whose parents talk to them regularly about the dangers of drugs are 42% less likely to use drugs than those whose parents don’t, yet only 1 in 4 teens report having these conversations. 
