Sexual Health

From healthy relationships to healthy behaviours and attitudes, it’s important for your teen to understand their sexual health is an important part of their overall well-being.

Sexual health isn’t just about preventing sexually transmitted infections. It’s about being aware of your body, and your overall health. It’s also about making the right decisions, and having respect for others.

---

Sexual Activity

Becoming sexually active with a partner is a deeply personal decision that may be influenced by your family’s values or by what their friends are doing or what they see online or on TV. But only they know if and when they are ready for sex. Be sure to destigmatize the topic of sex and consent with your youth so they know they can go to you if they need advice or support. Ensure they’re doing it because they want to, not because they feel pressure from their partner, friends, or society.

Tips for talking to your youth about sex (SafeTeens.org)

• ”Teachable stories” are the best way to start a conversation.
• Be as open and available as possible when your child wants to talk.
• Start the conversation – do not wait for your child. It is possible that they do not feel comfortable asking you any questions because you have not talked about it yet.
• Start as early as possible. Ask preteens if they are afraid of puberty or if they know what changes will occur during puberty. Ask older teens when is a person is ready to have sex and how a person figures that out.
• If you are asked a question that you do not know, find the answer with your child.
• If you are afraid to talk about it, think: is it better for my child to hear information about sex from me, or from his or her peers?

If they are sexually active or are considering having sex for the first time, it’s important they learn as much as they can and to protect themselves from unwanted surprises. And even if they’ve been sexually active for many years, there’s always more to learn.

---

STIs

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infectious diseases that spread from one person to another through any type of sexual contact. Talk with your teen about the importance of having safe sex to protect themselves and their partner(s).

Learn about types of STIs at Sex & U.

---

Birth Control

It’s better your teen has safe sex than unprotected, so if your teen comes to you asking for help to access contraceptive methods, it’s a good opportunity to talk about sex while helping them out with it. These three are some of the more common contraceptive methods:

• Condom: inexpensive and effective, readily available without a prescription, used only at the time of sexual activity, protects against most STIs. Learn more.
• Birth Control Pill: a highly effective and easily prescribed pill at pharmacies, helps regulate menstrual cycle as well. Learn more.
• Morning after pills: able to be used as emergency contraception if they had unprotected sex and they already know that they do not want to get pregnant. Learn more.

Find more types of Birth Control at Sex & U.

---

Sexual Health Resources

---

---