What is teen sexual health?

Teen sexual health is about how sex affects your physical and emotional health. It means knowing how to form healthy relationships and making decisions about sex that are right for you.

As your body changes during puberty, how you think, feel, and interact with others also changes. You may have new feelings and thoughts about sex. Understanding who you're becoming as a sexual young adult is also part of teen sexual health. For some teens, that includes understanding gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation.

For all teens, taking responsibility for sexual health is part of growing up. Whether you choose to have sex or wait, responsibility includes knowing about:

• Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
• Birth control
• What a healthy relationship is

What are sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)?

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), or sexually transmitted infections (STIs), are caused by bacteria, viruses, and parasites that spread from person to person, usually during vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Some STDs are spread by skin-to-skin contact. Without treatment, some STDs can cause long-term health problems.

There are more than 20 types of STDs, including:

• Chlamydia
• Genital herpes
• Gonorrhea
• HIV/AIDS
• HPV (human papillomavirus)
• Pubic lice
• Syphilis
• Trichomoniasis

STDs don't always cause symptoms. So it is possible to have an infection without knowing it and then pass it on to someone else. The only way to know for sure whether you have an STD is to get tested.

How can I reduce my chances of getting a sexually transmitted disease (STD)?

The most reliable way to avoid infection is to not have vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Saying "no" to sex is the right choice for many teens.

If you decide to have sex, "safer sex" practices will lower your chance of getting an STD. They include:

• Talking with your partner about preventing STDs and getting tested before having sex. If you can't talk about STDs, you aren't ready to have sex.
• Getting the HPV vaccine. You can be vaccinated between ages 9 and 26.
• Using condoms correctly every time you have vaginal, oral, or anal sex:
  • External (male) latex condoms provide the best protection against STDs. If you or your partner is allergic to latex, you can use polyurethane condoms.
  • Internal (female) condoms, made of nitrile, are placed inside the body (vagina or anus). They may be less effective against STDs than latex external condoms.
  • Don't use both type of condoms together because that increases the chance they'll rip
  • Use a dental dam (a square piece of latex, polyurethane, or nitrile) to protect the mouth during oral sex
• Having sex with only one person who has sex only with you (mutual monogamy). But first, both of you should get tested for STDs.
• Not mixing alcohol or drugs with sex. You need to think clearly to make safer choices about sex.

How can I reduce the chance of pregnancy?

The only sure way to avoid pregnancy is not to have vaginal sex.

If you decide to have vaginal sex, birth control can help prevent pregnancy. There are many types of birth control that work in different ways. Your health care provider can help you choose birth control that's best for you.

Condoms are the only birth control method that protects against STDs. But condoms alone aren't the most effective form of birth control. It's safest to use condoms with another form of birth control to prevent both STDs and pregnancy.

What is a healthy relationship?

Healthy sex starts with a healthy relationship, so it's important to take an honest look at how you and your partner treat each other. Your relationship may be healthy if it includes:

• Respect. You and your partner value each other's feelings. Neither of you pressure the other to do things they don't want to do.
• Trust and honesty. You always tell the truth and trust your partner to do the same.
• Good communication. You feel safe talking openly about your feelings, STDs, and other relationships. And you both listen.

Your relationship may be unhealthy if it includes:

• Jealousy and control. One of you wants to make all the decisions and tries to keep the other from spending time with their friends and family.
• Disrespect. One of you makes fun of the other person's ideas and feelings.
• Pressure. One of you tries to bully the other into doing sexual things they don't want to do.
• Violence. Hitting, shoving, grabbing, and sexual assault should never be part of a relationship. If you don't know how to end a violent relationship, get help.

Your decisions about sex can affect your future health. Make sure that you know the facts so you can decide what is right for you.

• Half of all new STDs reported each year are among young people 15 to 24.
• Nearly 46% of sexually active high school students did not use a condom the last time they had sex.

Many Young People Engage in Sexual Risk Behaviors

Many young people engage in sexual risk behaviors and experiences that can result in unintended health outcomes.

CDC data show that lesbian, gay, and bisexual high school students are at substantial risk for serious health outcomes related to sexual behaviors, violence, substance use, and poor mental health as compared to their peers.

Among U.S. high school students surveyed in 2019

• 38% had ever had sexual intercourse.
• 9% had four or more sexual partners.
• 7% had been physically forced to have sexual intercourse when they did not want to.
• 27% had had sexual intercourse during the previous 3 months, and, of these
  • 46% did not use a condom the last time they had sex.
  • 12% did not use any method to prevent pregnancy.
  • 21% had drunk alcohol or used drugs before last sexual intercourse.
• Less than 10% of all students have ever been tested for HIV.
• Less than 10% of all students have been tested for sexually transmitted diseases during the past year.

Source: National Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2019

CDC recommends everyone aged 13-64 get tested for HIV at least once as part of routine medical care.

HIV, STDs, and Teen Pregnancy are Health Consequences

Sexual risk behaviors place youth at risk for HIV infection, other STDs, and unintended pregnancy:

HIV

21% of all new HIV diagnoses were among young people (aged 13-24) in 2018; 88% were young men and 12% were young women.

STDs

Half of the 20 million new STDs reported each year were among young people (aged 15 to 24)

Teen Pregnancy

Nearly 180,000 babies were born to teen girls (aged 15–19 years) in 2018.

Abstinence from vaginal, anal, and oral intercourse is the only 100% effective way to prevent HIV, other STDs, and pregnancy. The correct and consistent use of male latex condoms can reduce the risk of STD transmission, including HIV infection. However, no protective method is 100% effective, and condom use cannot guarantee absolute protection against any STD or pregnancy.

Schools and Youth Serving Organizations Can Help

School health programs can help young people adopt lifelong attitudes and behaviors that support their health and well-being—including behaviors that can reduce their risk for HIV and other STDs.

HIV, STD, and teen pregnancy prevention programs in schools should

• Provide health information that is basic, accurate, and directly contributes to health-promoting decisions and behaviors.
• Address the needs of youth who are not having sex as well as youth who are currently sexually active.
• Ensure that all youth are provided with effective education and skills to protect themselves and others from HIV infection, other STDs, and pregnancy.
• Be developed with the active involvement of students and parents.
• Be locally determined and consistent with community values and relevant policies.

Key Takeaways

• Adolescents experience less health risks when their parents know about what is going on with them and their lives.
• 86% of youth reported that their parents usually or always knew where they were and who they were with.
• Parents can take action to monitor their teen and help protect them.

The teen years are a time of rapid growth, exploration, and risk taking. Taking risks provides young people the opportunity to test their skills and abilities and discover who they are. But, some risks—such as smoking, using drugs, drinking and driving, and having unprotected sex—can have harmful and long-lasting effects on a teen’s health and well-being.

Parents are a powerful influence in the lives of their teens. When parents make a habit of knowing about their teens—what they are doing, who they are with, and where they are and setting clear expectations for behavior with regular check-ins to be sure these expectations are being met—they can reduce their teens’ risks for injury, pregnancy, and drug, alcohol, and cigarette use. These parents are monitoring their teens’ activities and behavior.

• 86% of students report that their parents usually or always knew where they were and who they were with.
• Parental monitoring is associated with students experiencing less sexual risks, less substance use, and better mental health.

Parental Monitoring

What is parental monitoring?

Parental monitoring includes 1) the expectations parents have for their teen’s behavior; 2) the actions parents take to keep track of their teen; and 3) the ways parents respond when their teen breaks the rules.

You are using parental monitoring when you ask your teen

• Where will you be?
• Whom will you be with?
• When will you be home?

You are also monitoring when you

• Check in with your teen by phone.
• Get to know his or her friends and their parents.
• Talk with your teen about how he or she spends time or whether he or she is making safe choices.
• Set and enforce rules for your teen’s behavior by clearly explaining the rules and consequences and following through with appropriate consequences when the rules are broken.

Monitoring should start in early childhood and continue throughout the teen years, evolving as children grow and mature. As children develop into teenagers, adults might view them as more independent and less in need of monitoring. But, consistent monitoring throughout the teen years is critical—teens’ desire for independence can bring opportunities for unhealthy or unsafe behaviors.

Does parental monitoring make a difference?

Yes. Research shows that teens whose parents use effective monitoring practices are less likely to make poor decisions, such as having sex at an early age, smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, being physically aggressive, or skipping school. Clear communication about your expectations is especially important. Research shows that teens who believe their parents disapprove of risky behaviors are less likely to choose those behaviors.

What can parents do to monitor their teens effectively?

The following are some steps you can take to monitor your teen and help protect him or her from risky health behaviors and experiences:

• Talk with your teen about your rules and expectations, and explain the consequences for breaking the rules.
• Talk and listen to your teen often about how he or she feels and what he or she is thinking.
• Know who your teen’s friends are.
• Talk with your teen about the plans he or she has with friends, what he or she is doing after school, and where he or she will be going.
• Set expectations for when your teen will come home, and expect a call if he or she is going to be late.
• Ask whether an adult will be present when your teen is visiting a friend’s home.
• Get to know your teen’s boyfriend or girlfriend.
• Get to know the parents of your teen’s friends.
• Talk with your relatives, your neighbors, your teen’s teachers, and other adults who know your teen. Ask them to share what they observe about your teen’s behaviors, moods, or friends.
• Watch how your teen spends money.
• Keep track of how your teen spends time online, and talk about using the Internet safely.
• Pay attention to your teen’s mood and behavior at home, and discuss any concerns you might have.
• If your teen does break a rule, enforce the consequences fairly and consistently.
• Make sure your teen knows how to contact you at all times.

How can parents be successful at monitoring their teens?

Parental monitoring works best when parents have good, open, and caring relationships with their teens. Teens are more willing to talk to their parents if they think their parents can be trusted, have useful advice to offer, and are open and available to listen and talk. Teens who are satisfied with their relationships with their parents tend to be more willing to follow the rules.

You can promote a caring relationship with your teen by listening, asking questions, asking for opinions, offering support and praise, and staying involved in your teen’s life.

Parenting a teen is not always easy. Youth need adults who are there for them—especially parents who will connect with them, communicate with them, spend time with them, and show a genuine interest in them. Talking with teens about sex-related topics, including healthy relationships and the prevention of HIV, other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and pregnancy, is a positive parenting practice that has been widely researched. A number of programs in a variety of settings (e.g., schools, parents’ worksites) have been shown to increase the amount and quality of communication between parents and their teens.

Does talking with teens about sex make a difference?

According to teens, the answer is “yes.” In national surveys conducted by The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, teens report that their parents have the greatest influence over their decisions about sex—more than friends, siblings, or the media. Most teens also say they share their parents’ values about sex, and making decisions about delaying sex would be easier if they could talk openly and honestly with their parents.

According to many researchers, the answer is “yes.” Studies have shown that teens who report talking with their parents about sex are more likely to delay having sex and to use condoms when they do have sex. Parents should be aware that the following important aspects of communication can have an impact on teen sexual behavior:

• what is said
• how it is said
• how often it is said
• how much teens feel cared for, and understood by, their parents

What can parents do?

When parents communicate honestly and openly with their teenage son or daughter about sex, relationships, and the prevention of HIV, STDs, and pregnancy, they can help promote their teen’s health and reduce the chances that their teen will engage in behaviors that place them at risk. Following are some actions and approaches parents might take to improve communication with their teen about these challenging, hard-to discuss health concerns.

Stay informed about—

• Where your teen is getting information
• What health messages your teen is learning
• What health messages are factual and medically accurate

Your teen may be getting messages about sex, relationships, and the prevention of HIV, STDs, and pregnancy from a variety of sources, including teachers, friends, health care providers, television, and social media. Some of these messages may be more accurate than others. Don’t assume that your teen’s health education class includes the information you want your child to know—school-based curricula vary from state to state.

Identify unique opportunities to have conversations with your teen, such as

• In the car. The car is a private space where your teen doesn’t have to look at you but can hear what you have to say.
• Immediately following a relevant TV show/movie. Characters on TV shows and movies model many behaviors, and certain storylines may provide the opportunity to reinforce positive behavior or discuss the consequences of risky behavior.
• Through text messaging, which may provide an easy, acceptable way to reinforce messages discussed in-person.

Have frequent conversations.

Although you may know that having “the talk” with your teen about sex and HIV, STD, and pregnancy prevention is important, having a series of discussions that begin early, happen often, and continue over time can make more of a difference than a single conversation.

Be relaxed and open.

Talking about sex, relationships, and the prevention of HIV, STDs, and pregnancy may not always be comfortable or easy, but you can encourage your teen to ask you questions and be prepared to give fair and honest answers. This will keep the door open for both of you to bring up the topic. It’s OK to say you’re feeling uncomfortable or that you don’t have all the answers.

Avoid overreacting.

When your teen shares personal information with you, keep in mind that he or she may be asking for your input or wants to know how you feel. Let your teen know that you value his or her opinion, even if it is different from yours.

Provide opportunities for conversations between your teen and health care professionals.

By taking your teen to regular, preventive care appointments and allowing time alone with the provider, you create opportunities for your teen to talk confidentially with doctors or nurses about health issues that may be of concern, including HIV, STDs, and pregnancy. Be prepared to suggest that you step out of the room for a moment to allow for this special time, as not all health care providers will feel comfortable asking you to leave the room.

What topics should parents discuss with their teens?

It’s important that your conversations with your teen not focus just on the consequences of risky sexual behaviors. Many teens receive these messages in health education class or elsewhere. As a parent, you have the opportunity to have discussions with your teen about other related topics. You can

• Talk about healthy, respectful relationships.
• Communicate your own expectations for your teen about relationships and sex.
• Provide factual information about ways to prevent HIV, STDs, and pregnancy (e.g., abstinence, condoms and contraception, and HIV/STD testing).
• Focus on the benefits of protecting oneself from HIV, STDs, and pregnancy.
• Provide information about where your teen can speak with a provider and receive sexual health services, such as HIV/STD testing.

Parents can help create that trusting relationship by allowing their teen one-on-one time with their healthcare provider.

The teen years are an important time of growth and development. Teens need regular medical care to ensure they receive recommended health services that help keep them safe and healthy. Having a healthcare provider (e.g., a doctor or nurse practitioner) they trust and can talk to is important, particularly when it comes to topics such as mental and sexual health, substance use, and safety from bullying. Parents can help create that trusting relationship by allowing their teen one-on-one time with their healthcare provider.

Why is one-on-one time with a healthcare provider important?

As adolescents develop and take greater responsibility for their lives, it makes sense for them to be more engaged in their own health care. Current guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend that providers begin having one-on-one time, commonly referred to as “time alone”, with young people as early as age 11.

Providers who spend one-on-one time with teens early on help establish this practice as a routine part of care, and provide teens with regular opportunities to raise any concerns in an open manner. Ensuring teens have a chance to discuss sensitive issues, such as relationship concerns or depression, can increase their satisfaction with medical care and receipt of preventive health services. A recent report from AAP encourages providers to have one-on-one time with teens in order to provide accurate and comprehensive sex education, including personalized information on risks and prevention strategies.

Do teens get one-on-one time with healthcare providers?

Research suggests that not enough teens get one-on-one with their providers. One study found that only 38% of teens 15-17 years old had one-on-one time with a provider during a clinic visit in the prior year. Another study found that out of 144 medical visits attended by a parent, just 68% involved time alone between the provider and teen.

What parents can do:

Prepare yourself

Talk with the healthcare provider about when to begin giving your teen more autonomy with their health care, and when you can expect the provider to ask for time to discuss your teen’s health privately. Initially, the provider may ask you to step out of the room for a short period of time, with the time lengthening as your teen gets older and more comfortable with taking responsibility.

Prepare Your Teen

Check in with your teen prior to beginning this process. Ask if he or she will be comfortable talking to the provider alone. As they get older, give your teen a heads up that you will be stepping out of the room and encourage them to think about what they would like to discuss with their provider during that time. As your teen gets older, you may want to ask them whether they want you to come into the exam room at all.

Work with your teen’s provider

Working together as a team, you and the provider can ensure that your teen has the opportunity to discuss openly with both of you issues that may be concerning.

Talk with your teen

Have regular conversations with your teen about health-related topics, including healthy relationships, mental health, and the prevention of HIV, other sexually transmitted diseases, and pregnancy. These discussions will help to reinforce and build your teen’s confidence to talk openly with a provider whether or not you are in the room.

Be supportive

When your teen’s provider asks you to step out of the room, you can signal that you appreciate them taking the time to speak with your teen alone. Being supportive can reassure your teen and empower them to take more responsibility for his or her own health care. It also makes it easier for the provider to continue to seek out time alone with your teen at future visits.

Take action

If your teen’s provider does not ask you to step out of the room, you can suggest that you do so. Let the provider know you think it is important that your teen and the provider have time alone to talk about their health and well-being.

Look for opportunities

There is usually more time at annual check-ups to allow your teen and providers to have time alone. However, you can look for opportunities to offer to step out of the room during urgent care visits, as well.

Teens sometimes engage in behaviors that increase their risks of illness, injury, and early death. Engaging in sexual risk behaviors—such as having sex at an early age, having more than one sex partner, and not using condoms or other contraceptives—can lead to unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and HIV infection.

Teens are influenced by their parents’ values, beliefs, and expectations of appropriate behavior.

Research has largely focused on mothers. However, recent findings suggest that fathers may parent in ways that differ from mothers, and therefore represent an additional opportunity to support the health and well-being of their teens—separate from the influence of mothers.

Parental monitoring includes:

• the expectations parents have for their teen’s behavior;
• the actions parents take to keep track of their teen; and
• the ways parents respond when their teen breaks the rules.

What can you do to help your teen avoid sexual risk behaviors?

As the father of a teen, you can—

Monitor and supervise your teen.

• Be well informed about your teen’s daily activities, friends, and whereabouts.
• Set up family rules to guide your teen’s behavior. You may want to include your teen in discussions about appropriate rules and their enforcement.
• Make sure your teen understands what your expectations are (e.g., time to be home on a school night, age they can go on a date, adult supervision at parties, and no alcoholic beverages or drugs). Check-in regularly to be sure your teen is following the rules.
• Consider positive ways you can encourage your teen to follow the rules.

• • Praise your teen when he or she follows the rules.
  • When your teen breaks a rule, follow through with fair and consistent discipline that makes sense to your teen.

Be involved in your teen’s life.

• Get to know your teen—what he or she likes and does.
• Spend time with your teen by enjoying shared activities
  (e.g., going on walks, playing sports, biking, shopping, listening to music, traveling, etc.).
• Take time to listen and gather information about your teen’s life. One of the most important ways to connect with your teen is to understand his or her world.

Talk with your teen.

• Be available to talk with your teen, and do so regularly.
• Talk about the importance of making healthy decisions.
• Discuss the consequences of risky sexual behavior.
• Encourage your teen to ask you questions; be prepared to give fair and honest answers.
• When your teen shares personal information with you, don’t overreact. Your teen is asking for your input and wants to know how you feel. Let your teen know you value his or her opinion, even if it is different from yours.

Share your values.

• Be a good role model. Be aware of your own behavior, and show your teen how he or she can be healthy and avoid risks.
• Build a positive relationship with your teen. The emotional closeness of your relationship with your teen, your attitudes toward teen sex, and your level of involvement with your teen can make a difference in reducing your teen’s sexual risk behavior.

Adolescence is a time for development and discovery, which can be both positive and challenging. As teens try to find their own identity, they make choices that affect their health, both now and in the future. By following these key practices, you can build a quality relationship with your teen and be a positive influence in helping your son or daughter make healthy decisions and avoid sexual risk behaviors.

The teen years can be a challenging time for young people and their parents. The information is based on a review of published studies, which found that parents play an important role in shaping the health of their LGB teen.

When LGB teens share their sexual orientation (or even if they choose not to share it), they may feel rejected by important people in their lives, including their parents. This rejection can negatively influence an LGB teen’s overall well-being.

On the other hand, a positive family environment, with high levels of parental support and low levels of conflict, is associated with LGB youth who experience healthy emotional adjustment. These teens are less likely to engage in sexual risk behaviors and be involved in violence.

Compared to heterosexual youth, LGB teens are more likely to experience bullying, physical violence, or rejection. As a result, LGB teens are at an increased risk for suicidal thoughts and behaviors and report higher rates of sexual risk behavior and substance abuse.

How Parents Make a Difference

Research suggests that LGB teens experience better health outcomes when their parents support their sexual orientation in positive and affirming ways. Compared to teens who do not feel valued by their parents, LGB youth who feel valued by their parents are less likely to

• Experience depression
• Attempt suicide
• Use drugs and alcohol
• Become infected with sexually transmitted diseases

In addition, research among young gay men has shown that having a positive relationship with their parents helped them decide to have safer sex (e.g., using a condom, not having sex with high-risk partners). Many also reported that having a positive parent-teen relationship created a sense of responsibility to avoid HIV infection.

Specific Actions for Parents

Research on parenting shows how important it is—regardless of their teen’s sexual orientation—for parents to

• Have open, honest conversations with their teens about sex
• Know their teen’s friends and know what their teen is doing
• Develop common goals with their teen, including being healthy and doing well in school

Although additional research is needed to better understand the associations between parenting and the health of LGB youth, the following are research-based action steps parents can take to support the health and well-being of their LGB teen and decrease the chances that their teen will engage in risky behaviors.

Talk and listen

• Parents who talk with and listen to their teen in a way that invites an open discussion about sexual orientation can help their teen feel loved and supported.
• When their teen is ready, parents can brainstorm with him or her how to talk with others about the teen’s sexual orientation.
• Parents can talk with their teen about how to avoid risky behavior and unsafe or high-risk situations.
• Parents can talk with their teen about the consequences of bullying. Parents (and their teen) should report any physical or verbal abuse that occurs at school to teachers and the school principal.

Provide support

• Parents need to understand that teens find it very stressful to share their sexual orientation.
• Parents who take time to come to terms with how they feel about their teen’s sexual orientation will be more able to respond calmly and use respectful language.
• Parents should discuss with their teen how to practice safe, healthy behaviors.

Stay involved

• By continuing to include their teen in family events and activities, parents can help their teen feel supported.
• Parents can help their teen develop a plan for dealing with challenges, staying safe, and reducing risk.
• Parents who make an effort to know their teen’s friends and romantic partners and know what their teen is doing can help their teen stay safe and feel cared about.

Be proactive

• Parents who build positive relationships with their teen’s teachers and school personnel can help ensure a safe and welcoming learning environment.
• If parents think their teen is depressed or needs other mental health support, they should speak with a school counselor, social worker, psychologist, or other health professional.
• Parents can access many organizations and online information resources to learn more about how they can support their LGB teen, other family members, and their teen’s friends.
• Parents can help their teen find appropriate LGB organizations and go with their teen to events and activities that support LGB youth.

Parents play an important role in helping adolescents become healthy and happy adults

Parents are a trusted source of health information and can help prepare adolescents for developing healthy relationships and navigating challenges.

Talking regularly with your adolescent and paying attention to where they are and who they are with can help reduce unhealthy behaviors. Most youth report discussing health topics with parents, including sexual and reproductive health.

For these conversations to be effective, parents need to know about options to prevent unintended pregnancies, HIV, and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) including not having sex, and using condoms and birth control.

Over the past decade, the percent of high school-aged adolescents having sex has declined, however, 57% are sexually active by 12 grade. The most effective methods of birth control are obtained from a healthcare provider.

What types of birth control methods are available for adolescents?

Many safe and effective birth control methods are available for adolescents who are sexually active or considering having sex.

They can choose the method that works best for them. These include:

Long-acting reversible contraceptives or “LARC” methods

Including intrauterine devices (IUDs) and the hormonal implant.

These methods are inserted by a healthcare provider and provide birth control for up to 3 to 10 years (depending on the method) without any required follow-up.

Short-acting hormonal methods

Including pills, mini pills, the patch, the shot, and the vaginal ring.

These methods are prescribed by a provider, and users must take action daily (pills), weekly (patch), monthly (ring), or every 3 months (shot) for them to work.

Barrier methods

Including condoms, diaphragms, the sponge, and the cervical cap.

These methods must be used each time someone has sex. A healthcare provider must initially fit a diaphragm and give a prescription for a cervical cap, but otherwise these methods do not require a visit to the clinic.

Where can I get more information about birth control?

More details and information on additional methods are available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) website.

How Should Adolescents Choose a Birth Control Method?

Information from parents and healthcare providers can help adolescents decide which birth control method is right for them.

It is important to consider:

How well does it work?

Some birth control methods are more effective at preventing pregnancy than others. IUDs and implants are the most effective reversible methods currently available. This chart compares method effectiveness.

Is it easy to use?

Some methods are easier to use than others. For example, if it is hard to remember to take a pill every day, birth control pills may not be the best option.

What are the possible side effects? 

A healthcare provider can explain potential side effects of methods and ensure that a method is safe given an adolescent’s overall health.

Does it prevent STDs?

Most contraceptive methods do not prevent STDs, so it is recommended that adolescents also always use condoms in addition to their primary birth control method for both STD and pregnancy prevention.

How much does it cost?

Most insurance plans, including Medicaid, fully cover most birth control methods. For those without health insurance, some clinics provide free or low-cost birth control.

What About Birth Control And STDs?

• Make sure your adolescent knows that even if they are using another type of birth control, they should use a condom every time they have sex. This reduces the risk for HIV and most other STDs.
• Birth control such as the IUD, implant, pill, patch, ring, or shot provides effective pregnancy prevention, but it does not protect against HIV and other STDs.
• Condoms can reduce the risk to both partners for most STDs, including HIV, as well as the risk for pregnancy.
• Getting tested for STDs is also important.

What are steps parents can take to help their adolescents?

Support adolescent healthcare seeking.

You play an important role in helping your adolescent get regular access to quality healthcare. For example:

• You can help your adolescent find a healthcare provider they like and make sure they get annual check-ups.
• Parents can also help their adolescent fill prescriptions and take medications correctly.

Talk with your adolescent.

Talking about sex, relationships, and how to prevent HIV, STDs, and pregnancy may not always be comfortable or easy, but you can encourage your teen to ask questions. Some tips to help you include:

• Begin talking with your adolescent early and often.
• Be prepared to give fair and honest answers. This will help keep open communication.
• Explain to your adolescent about the health services a provider may discuss with them and why they are important.
• Make sure they are aware of their options for birth control—it’s important that males know about birth control too and receive routine sexual and reproductive health care.

Prepare for your adolescent’s independence.

It is important that adolescents have prepare to seek healthcare with some independence in order to do so as an adult.

• As a first step, your adolescent should have one-on-one time with their healthcare provider routinely, where you step out of the room.
• Let them know that one-on-one time is a good time for them to ask questions and talk openly and honestly.
• Encourage your adolescent to ask about sexual and reproductive health services when they have one-on-one time with their provider

Work with your adolescent’s healthcare provider.

You and your adolescent’s healthcare provider can work together as a team with the shared goal of improving your adolescent’s health.

• You can let the healthcare provider know that you are supportive of your adolescent receiving recommended health services, including those for preventing HIV, other STDs, and unintended pregnancy.
• You can also ask your adolescent’s healthcare provider to tell you more about services or those that you may be less familiar with, such as LARC.

Stay informed.

Be aware of the quality of the health information your adolescent is receiving from school, friends, online, or other sources.

Your adolescent may not be receiving complete or accurate information from these sources. Be available to answer any questions that they may have. The more you know about health topics and services, the easier it will be to talk with your adolescent about them.

Parents are a trusted source of health information and can help prepare adolescents for developing healthy relationships and navigating challenges that may lie ahead.

Talking regularly with your adolescent and paying attention to where they are and who they are with can help reduce unhealthy behaviors. Most adolescents report talking about health topics with parents, including sexual and reproductive health.

To prepare for these conversations, parents need to know about options for preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV. In addition, it is important that parents know about key preventive health services.

In addition to unintended pregnancy, young people who choose to be sexually active are at risk of getting an STD.

Many young people do not know they are infected because STDs often have no symptoms.

Sexually active young people can protect themselves from getting an STD in a number of ways including consistently and correctly using condoms and getting tested for STDs.

Getting tested for STDs is important because it is the only way to know if someone has an STD and needs treatment.

The recommendations below are specifically for adolescents, describing which STDs young people should be routinely tested for, who should be tested, and when they should be tested.

Action steps are provided to help parents make sure their adolescent receives the best sexual and reproductive health care possible.

Why should adolescents be tested for STDs?

Many STDs don’t cause any symptoms so the only way to know for sure if you have an STD is to get tested. Some curable STDs can be dangerous if they aren’t treated. For example, if left untreated, chlamydia and gonorrhea can make it difficult—or even impossible—for a woman to get pregnant later in life. The chances of getting HIV if you have an untreated STD also increases. Some STDs, like HIV, can be fatal if left untreated.

What STD tests are recommended for adolescents?

A healthcare provider can help determine if STD testing is recommended for your adolescent and which STD tests are most appropriate. A healthcare provider can also give more information about each type of test.

There are several recommendations for STD testing specifically focused on sexually active female adolescents and adults younger than age 25. These include:

Chlamydia testing

All sexually active women younger than age 25 should be tested for chlamydia each year. Sexually active men younger than age 25 in areas with a high number of chlamydia cases among males should also be tested each year. Your adolescent’s healthcare provider should know what is recommended in your area. In addition, all men, 13 years and older, who have sex with other men should also be tested each year.

Gonorrhea testing

All sexually active women younger than age 25 should be tested for gonorrhea each year. All men, 13 years and older, who have sex with other men should also be tested each year. Typically, anyone testing for chlamydia is tested for gonorrhea at the same time.

Syphilis testing

Men, 13 years and older, who have sex with men should be tested each year.

HIV testing

Men, 13 years and older, who have sex with men, people who inject drugs, and people who have a partner with HIV should be tested for HIV at least once a year. Others may also need to be tested if their healthcare provider thinks that they may be at higher risk.

Pregnant women

At their first prenatal visit, pregnant women should be tested for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV. For syphilis, retesting early in the third trimester is recommended for women who are at high risk, live in areas with a high number of syphilis cases or who tested positive in the first trimester. For HIV, retesting in the third trimester is recommended for women at high risk of acquiring HIV.

Where can adolescents get tested for STDs?

STD testing is typically available from healthcare providers and at select outreach events. Your teen’s school may also provide testing on site or resources for where to find testing locations. This STD Testing Locator provides nearby testing locations, including those that offer free or low-cost services.

Sexual development is a normal part of the teen years. Your teens needs your help in understanding their feelings, peer pressure, and how to say no if they do not want to have sex. If your teens start having sex, they need to know how to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Teens want to talk with their parents about sex and relationships.

Parents have a strong impact on whether a teenager makes healthy decisions for himself or herself. This goes for making healthy decisions about sex, as well. Research shows that teens who talk with their parents about sex, relationships, birth control and pregnancy—

• Begin to have sex at later age.
• Use condoms and birth control more often if they do have sex.
• Have better communication with romantic partners.
• Have sex less often.