Sex of teens

Before you decide to have sex or if you are already having sex, you need to know how to stay healthy. Even if you think you know everything you need to know about sex, take a few minutes and read on. Your doctor wants to make sure you know the facts. Sex can change your life and relationships. Having sex may affect the way you feel about yourself or how others feel about you.

Teens and sex can be a risky combination. Find out how to talk to your teen about abstinence and contraception. Few parents want to face the idea that their teens are having sex — but research shows that many teens are sexually active by high school, potentially putting themselves at risk of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections STIs. When it comes to teens and sex, the key is discussing the importance of contraception before sexual activity begins.

The share of high school students who are sexually active has fluctuated since , ranging from 30 to 38 percent. In , Appendix 1 Among black students, however, the proportion who reported they were sexually active decreased from 59 percent in to 33 percent in The proportion of high school students who reported they had ever had vaginal sexual intercourse declined between and , from 54 to 46 percent.

Depending on your teenagers age and the people they hang out with, you will probably find that they have been thinking about or exploring sex and sexual relationships. During the later teenage stages, sex becomes a big deal and each teenager will approach it differently. Young people are talking about, thinking about and having sex. Young people from families in which sex and sexual relationships are openly discussed are more likely to delay the age they first have sex, have fewer sexual partners, and behave respectfully and safely when they do have sex. Evidence shows that children and young people want to talk to their parents about sex and relationships, and vice versa, but both can feel awkward about starting the conversation.