 Making
Healthy Decisions About Sex
I'm
thinking about having sex. What do I need to know to stay healthy?
Before you
make any decisions, or even if you have had sex but are unsure if you should
again, remember this: not everyone is having sex.
Half of all
teens say "no" to sex. There's nothing wrong if you decide to wait;
in fact, it's a great idea.
Whether or
not you decide to have sex, it's important that you know the facts about birth
control, diseases, and emotions.
Why wait?
-
Sex
can lead to pregnancy. Ask yourself: "Am I ready to be pregnant
or a teen parent?"
-
Sex
has health risks. You could become infected with one or more sexually
transmitted diseases (STDs) like herpes, Trichomonas, or human immunodeficiency
virus (HIV) (the virus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome [AIDS]).
One type of disease called human papillomavirus (HPV) may cause cancer.
-
You
may feel sad or angry if you let someone pressure you into having sex
when you're not really ready.
-
You
also may feel sad or angry if you chose to have sex and then your partner
leaves you. He may even tell other people that you had sex with him. Can
you handle that?
Stay Healthy
If you're going to have
sexual intercourse, you
need a reliable form of birth control!
-
Condoms
used the right way have a 90% chance of preventing pregnancy. Condoms are
also the best way to avoid getting STDs.
-
"The
pill" is the most popular type of birth control used by women. There
are many brands of the birth control pill. For the pill to work, a woman
must take it every day. When used correctly, the pill is 99% effective at
preventing pregnancy.
-
The
birth control patch is similar to the pill and looks like an adhesive
strip. The patch is placed on the skin and changed every week for 3 weeks.
Side effects are similar to the pill.
-
Depo-Provera
is a shot that you get every 3 months. It is a popular choice for women
who have trouble remembering to take the pill.
It's your choice!
The choice to become sexually
active is your choice. Talk with your pediatrician about birth control - how
safe and effective these methods are, what side effects they can cause, and
how much they cost.
Published online: 3/07
Source: Making Healthy Decisions About Sex (Copyright © 2005 American
Academy of Pediatrics)
Healthcare professionals
may order
this publication in multi-copy packs.
Parents can find more information on this topic in Caring for Your Teenager.
To order a copy of this book visit the AAP
Bookstore.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information contained
in this publication should not be used as a substitute for the medical care
and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your
pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.
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