Teen Sexuality:
Sexuallly Transmited Diseases:
Sexually Transmitted Diseases, or STDS, are infections that are caught by contact with someone who is already infected with the disease. The types of contact are varied and can be vaginal, oral or anal sex; kissing, or other types of touching.
STDs don’t just affect people who sleep around. Many people who have STDs can have them without symptoms and pass them around to a partner. More than 12 million Americans have STDs, which is about 25% of the population. That means that if you have 4 partners in your lifetime, it is very likely that one of them has an STD.
You can only tell if your partner has an STD if they are tested by a clinic. If they are positive, the only way to avoid that STD is to avoid having any sexual contact with that person. If you use a condom during sexual contact, it could help, but it does not prevent you from contracting their disease.
If you think you have an STD, contact one of our clinics. They can do a screening on you that consists of a blood test, a urine test, or a physical exam. These clinics maintain your confidentiality and peform these tests all the time, so you don’t have to worry about being embarrassed. Our clinics have compassionate counselors that can help you find the best treatments and prevention for the future.
Saying “No”
Its easy in this society to feel pressured to have sex. But, you don’t have to! Many teens and older adults are deciding NOT to have sex until a more appropriate time. However, you may find yourself in a relationship where you are pressured to have sex before you are ready. Remember that you can say No!
Take 5 minutes to find out if you need to get tested for an STI such as HIV, hepatitis, or chlamydia.
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