Abstinence is often defined as not having any type of sexual intercourse. Some people define abstinence more broadly as not engaging in any sexual activity. Practicing abstinence is a personal choice. Some people may do so for a range of reasons, including spiritual reasons, because they are not ready for sex or because they want to focus on a priority, like school or an extra-curricular activity. Let's explore what practicing abstinence looks like in a romantic relationship.

Masturbation is the touching of one's own body, especially the genitals, for sexual pleasure. Some people masturbate and others do not. Either way is normal. Masturbation can help you learn about your body and your sexual feelings without the complications that can come with sexual activity involving another person.

Sexual orientation is about the sex that a person is romantically and sexually attracted to– it can be the opposite sex (heterosexual), the same sex (homosexual) or both sexes (bisexual).

Attraction is when you have sexual or romantic feelings for someone. Having these feelings is a normal part of growing up. It's also totally normal if you do not experience romantic or sexual feelings.

How you think about what your body looks like is called body image. Sometimes how we think about our bodies can be influenced negatively by what we see in the media and our interactions with other people. Images and representations of the "perfect" body type can make us believe that our own bodies are not acceptable and beautiful.

Once you start to go through puberty, it's possible to get pregnant or get someone pregnant, which is why it's important to be familiar with different ways to prevent pregnancy.

A wet dream happens when semen is released from the penis during sleep. Wet dreams are a normal part of puberty and are a sign that the body is developing and maturing. Learning about these changes can help young people understand their bodies and feel more confident as they grow.

Beginning menstruation, often called getting your period, is a normal part of going through puberty for girls. Your period happens around once a month because changes from puberty signal your brain to release new chemicals, called hormones, into your body.

You may be more aware of your body as it goes through puberty—the changes that happen as your body develops from a child to a young adult. These changes include increased hormone production, increased oil production in the skin, and body hair growth. These changes can cause body odor to be more noticeable and cause acne. Let's learn how to take care of your body.

If you are between the ages of 8 and 14, you may be experiencing some of the changes that happen when your body changes from a child to a young adult. Puberty in girls can start as early as age 8 and as late as 13 or 14, while it can start as early as age nine and as late as 15. Eventually, everyone goes through it!