How do I say no to sex?

By Attia @ Planned Parenthood | July 1, 2021, 2:48 p.m.

The simplest way to say no to sex is just that, saying “no.” You get final say over what happens with your body. It doesn’t matter if you’ve hooked up before or even if you said yes earlier and then changed your mind. You’re allowed to say “stop” and “no” at any time, and your partner needs to respect that.

Other ways to say no to having sex include:

Saying nothing at all or leaving.
Being honest about what you want and don’t want.
Suggesting other things you want to do instead.
Sharing any reasons you may have for waiting or practicing abstinence.
Using body language and verbal cues that communicate you’re not interested.

Everyone deserves to have their boundaries respected. No matter what, you should never be pressured into doing something you don’t want to do. Just saying “no” is good enough. Learn more about consent and healthy relationships.

Tags: sex, abstinence, consent, outercourse