Let’s talk. At some point in our lives, the overwhelming majority of us will become sexually active, and we’re going to get our advice on those situations from somewhere: our parents, our friends, our gynecologist, maybe Cosmo. So you may as well hear it from me. What follows are the actions I feel are most important for any woman, whether she’s going to be sexually active now or later.

Be Proactive: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that women should have their first Pap test approximately 3 years after first sexual intercourse or by age 21, whichever comes first. Nobody likes going to the gynecologist, especially for the first time, but the exam itself usually takes less than 15 minutes, once a year. Take a friend, take a valium if you have to, but take yourself to the gyno.

Get Gardasil®: By now most of us have heard something about the new HPV vaccine, used to prevent cervical cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control, at least 50 percent of sexually active men and women acquire genital HPV infection at some point in their lives. HPV is not for men and women who “sleep around”; it can be acquired through contact with just one partner. While not all strains of HPV lead to cervical cancer, the real question is: if you’re ages 9- 26, or have a daughter who is, why wouldn’t you get this vaccine? (http://www.gardasil.com)

Use Condoms: Sexually transmitted infections and diseases are like car accidents – everyone thinks they’re a good driver, yet plenty of people get into accidents. No one thinks they’re going to get an STI/STD, or that their partner has one, yet plenty of men and women have them, and women generally have fewer symptoms than men. Use condoms or get both of you tested ahead of time, including for HIV. (see: Consumer Reports condom ratings from ’05 http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/health-fitness/health-care/condoms-and-contraception-205/ratings/index.htm)

Do Your Homework: What birth control is right for you? Are you good at taking a pill every day? Do you have a medical condition that might preclude a particular method? Are you on any medications that might interfere? Are there any new methods you might not be aware of?

Keep Doing It: What do you need to know about your birth control? How does it work? What side effects are acceptable and what side effects are not? What can you do about them? What do you do if make a mistake? Treat your birth control instructions as carefully as you would any other important document.

Communicate: Talk about contraception and pregnancy with your partner. What birth control are you using? What would happen if it failed? Are you both in agreement about what you’d do if it did? Are you comfortable if you’re not in agreement?

Get Plan B® NOW: Did you know that emergency contraception, Plan B®, is now available at most pharmacy counters without a prescription for anyone 18 or older? Don’t wait until there’s an accident – Plan B is more effective at preventing an unplanned pregnancy the sooner you take it. Go to your pharmacy counter now and put it in your medicine cabinet. You wouldn’t wait until you have a headache to buy Tylenol, so why would you put this off when it’s so much more important? (More info: http://www.go2planb.com )

Sex education takes more than “the talk” your parents gave you in the 5th grade, and the filmstrip they showed you in sex-ed. Sex education and sexual health are continuous, interactive subjects; take control of them, or they’ll take control of you first.