safe sex

Not So Fun Facts

Eighty-two percent of teen pregnancies are unplanned. (1)
10% of all births in the US are to teenage mothers.(2)
Teenage mothers are less likely to go to college and/or reach their dreams when compared to teenagers without children.(2)
A sexually active teen who does not use contraceptives has a 90% chance of becoming pregnant. (1)
74% of females and 82% of males used contraceptives the first time they had sex. (1)
Chlamydia and then gonorrhea are the most common sexually transmitted infections and they are most commonly seen in young women ages 15-26.
Women, especially young and minority women, are hit hardest by chlamydia. The reported chlamydia case rate is almost three times higher than for males.

Frequently Asked Questions

`Sexually Transmitted Diseases - STDs`

Is everyone really ""doing it""?

NOT everybody is doing it. According to a survey in 2009, over 1/2 (54%) of high school students have never had sexual intercourse. So, most students are NOT having sex. Most teens who have had sex wish they had waited. Sixty-seven percent of teens surveyed who have had sexual intercourse wish they had waited longer. So don't feel a need to rush. Take your time and wait since that is really what everyone else is doing.

Is Everyone Having Sex?

Over 1/2 (54%) of high school students have never had sexual intercourse. So, most students are NOT having sex. (3)

Who Should Use Contraception?

Anyone who is having sexual intercourse should use contraception to prevent pregnancy . Two forms of contraception (a hormonal option and a barrier option) is more effective than one method of contraception alone to prevent pregnancy. Barrier methods will also help prevent sexually transmitted infections. Determining which method(s) is optimal for you is best decided with the help of a health care provider PRIOR to becoming sexually active.

Can I Get Pregnant In Any Position?

Yes. Any position in which you have intercourse can result in pregnancy if you are not using effective contraception.

Can I Get Pregnant the First Time I have Sex?

Yes. Even one act of intercourse can result in pregnancy if you are not using contraception effectively.

How Effective is Birth Control at Preventing Pregnancy?

Birth Control, when used properly, can be very effective at preventing pregnancy. For a detailed list of all forms of contraception and their effectiveness, please refer to:

http://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/unintendedpregnancy/contraception.htm

What types of Contraception are Available?

Contraception comes in many forms, including:

Barrier devices
Birth control pill (The “pill” that you have to remember to take daily)
Birth control ”patch” (which sticks to your skin and is changed weekly)
Vaginal contraceptive ring (placed inside the vagina for 3 weeks at a time)
Contraceptive hormone injections or “the shot” (administered every 3 months)
Implant placed under the skin in your arm (that can last for up to 3 years)
Intrauterine device-IUD (Contraception that a health care provider places inside of the uterus for up to 10 years)

For a list of all available contraceptions and further information about each, including the pros/cons of each method, please refer to:

http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp112.cfm

What type of Barrier Devices are Available?

Barrier devices work by preventing sperm from entering the cervix (the opening to the uterus). Barrier devices include:

The condom (male or female).
The diaphragm (a floppy rubber circle that covers the cervix).
The cervical cap (a smaller rubber circle that sits right on the cervix).
The sponge (a donut-shaped foam sponge that is inserted into the vagina).
A spermicide,which is a chemical placed in the vagina that kills sperm. There are foam, cream, film, and suppositories that contain spermicides. These should be used with a condom.

Each of these methods of contraception all work very well if they are used correctly. When not used correctly, the failure rate can be quite high.

Can I Get Birth Control Without My Parents?

It is best to involve your guardian(s) in your decision to have intercourse and desire to initiate contraception. If you feel that this is not an option, in most states, minors (people younger than age 18 years) have the right to make choices about birth control without their parents’ permission. Discuss with your health care provider your rights in this regard and how the visit can be kept private. Be aware that if you use your parents’ health insurance to pay for birth control or a doctor’s visit, it may appear on the bill that your parents receive. You may want to talk about birth control with your doctor at a visit for something else, such as a routine physical exam needed for school. Most cities also have family planning clinics that allow a teen to have privacy and to afford birth control. Some clinics will even provide free birth control.

What is Emergency contraception?

Emergency contraception can prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse. Using Plan B or certain oral contraceptive pills within 120 hours or 5 days of unprotected intercourse, offers this protection. It is most effective when taken as soon as possible. Plan B is available over the counter if you are 18 years old or older. If you are younger than 18 years, you must get a prescription from your doctor or health care provider. Emergency contraception should not be used as your only form of contraception-it should be used in emergency situations only. For additional information on emergency contraception, please refer to:

http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp114.cfm

Which Disease are STIs?

Sexually transmitted infections (also called STDs by some) are infections that can be spread through vaginal penile, anal, or oral sex.

Sexually transmitted diseases are passed between individuals through contact with the genitals, skin, mouth, rectum, or bodily fluids. STIs include:

Chlamydia
Gonorrhea
Genital herpes
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis C
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
Syphilis
Trichomonas

For detailed information about each STI, please refer to:

http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp009.cfm

How Common are STIs?

Approximately one in four teenagers and young adults get an STI each year. Anyone who is having sex or sexual contact is at risk for an STI. Teenagers at increased risk include those who have multiple (more than one) partners, those whose partner is infected with an STI, and those who have unprotected sex.

How Do I Know If I Have an STI?

Sexually transmitted diseases can cause problems ranging from mild irritation to severe pain, but most are present with no symptoms at all. Thus, you cannot always tell if a person has an STI, and they may not know about it themselves. For this reason, all sexually active teens should get screened for STIs every year and when they get a new partner.

How Can I Prevent STIs

To prevent STIs use a condom every time, limit your number of sexual partners, and get the HPV and Hep B vaccinations.

If I have an STI, Do I Have to Tell My Partner?

If you are diagnosed with an STI, it is important to tell your partner so that he/she can get tested and treated as needed. Otherwise your partner may pass the infection back to you again after you have had treatment or he/she may pass it on to someone else.

Can I Get Tested For STIs Without My Parents Permission?

In most states, minors (people younger than age 18 years) have the right to make choices about STI screening without their parents’ permission. Discuss with your health care provider your rights in this regard and how the visit can be kept private . Be aware that if you use your parents’ health insurance to pay for a doctor’s visit as it may appear on the bill that your parents receive. Most cities also have STI clinics that allow a teen to get STI screening and treatment free of charge or at a low cost.

Tips to Avoid Pregnancy and STIs

You should make up your own mind to have sex when the time is right for you. If you are not ready for sex, say NO, as abstinence is the only way to ensure that you do not get pregnant and do not get infections.

If you think you are ready to have sex, or if you already have had sex, it is best to be responsible in your actions. Responsibility includes preventing pregnancy AND sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Contraception, also called birth control, helps stop you from becoming pregnant. Each month an egg is released from the female ovary (ovulation). If the egg is met by a sperm, the egg can become fertilized and attach to the inside of the womb or uterus (implantation). Pregnancy occurs when the fertilized egg is implanted. Teens have many contraceptive choices to choose from in order to prevent pregnancy.