Here are some tips on how to keep you and your possible partners with safe throughout the cuffing season:

• The key to success during this season? Communication! Make sure you and your partner are communicating openly and honestly… including how you feel about taking things to the next level. Remember, consentis the MOST important thing to have before you have sex.  

• Get a physical before you get physical! Find a clinic here, and follow these steps to make your clinic visit a home run. Talk to your health care provider to find out what STD tests, birth control, or barrier methods they would recommend for you. Bonus points for taking your teammates with you to get their own physicals.

• Make sure you have the right equipment, aka CONDOMS. Just like helmets keep us safe on the field, condoms keep us safe from unintended pregnancy and STDs. And just like we want to make sure all of our equipment fits properly on the field, make sure that your condom fits just right. That might mean experimenting with different condom brands, sizes, and lube. Plus, condoms also can be turned into dental dams for STD protection for girls who are dating other girls. Learn more here.

• You'll want to make sure your partner is equipped with the right equipment. If you are having sex that includes a risk of pregnancy (aka any sex practice where a penis gets in or near a vagina!), make sure you are using an effective form of birth control. Ultimately, the best equipment gets the best results!

So those are our top tips for having fun and staying safe as the weather gets colder, the chocolate hotter and your relationships snugglier. Do you have ideas for staying safe this cuffing season? Share them with TeenSource!