Talking to the Stork about sex and birth control is easy because, well, he can’t talk. But, talking to real people in your life can be a little more daunting. Before you have the conversation, your first step is figuring out who you want to have this conversation with.
When it comes to getting the most accurate and up-to-date health information, you should talk to your Health Care Provider (a.k.a. your doctor, nurse or physician assistant). They’ll be able to answer all your questions in an embarrassment-free setting, while providing informed advice about which birth control options are best for you and your lifestyle, whether you’re a skydiver, a professional bags player, or just a regular Joe or Jane. How about your partner? After all, you can’t avoid the Stork unless you’re both on the same page about how to protect yourselves. What about your friends? Certainly they’re good for more than just the most recent celebrity gossip. And there’s always parents. Whether you want them to be or not, they always seem to be full of opinions, and lucky-for-you, you’re their favorite subject.
Whomever you decide to talk to, the S.O.D.S has compiled some helpful hints on how to talk about birth control and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) so that you don’t put these conversations off. Because it’s a lot easier to have the birth control talk before the Stork is knocking on your door or talking about testing positive for an STI.
