What If It's Too Late?
IT IS NEVER TOO LATE to change your mind.
In fact, most people regret their decision to have sex. 2/3 of teens who’ve had sex wish they’d waited [1]. You can’t change what you did yesterday, but you can decide what you want for your future. And, you can still change your mind post STD and/or pregnancy.
So, If you have had sexual contact (oral, anal, vaginal, or hand): STOP!
There is hope for you, but only if you choose to stop having sexual contact. Get advice from a parent or other responsible adult.
YOU ALSO NEED TO GET TESTED!
Anyone who has had sex should be tested immediately because 80% of people who have an STD DON'T KNOW IT [2]. STDs are not fun. Even if you have no STD symptoms currently, you never know what might be hanging out in your body. Some STDs are curable and others will never go away. Click HERE for more information.
We know it’s hard to change the path you’re on, but we all know it’s worth it. We also know many people who have done just that. Like Kolani:
Read Kolani's Story (click here)
Here are some practical suggestions:
- Sign a commitment card in baby steps, just for an amount of time you know you can keep your new commitment to chastity.
Then when that time is up, sign another for a little longer. Baby steps will help you do things you never thought you could.
If you fall later after trying your best, just get up and sign a new one starting the next day. Want to create your own commitment card? Click HERE.
- Tell people about your new decision, so you can make your reputation work for you, not against you. Find someone who feels the way you do to check in with and keep you honest and accountable.
- Talk with an adult, mentor, teacher or religious leader from your faith.
[1] = The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy. Not Just Another Thing to Do.” 6/30/2000.
[2] =Dabekausen, Y., et at, “Chlamydia Trachomatous Antibody Testing Is More Accurate than Hysterosalpingography in Predicting Tubal Factor Infertility,” Fertility & Sterility, Vol. 6 No. 5, May 1994.