Parents never find it easy to talk to their teens about sex. Many parents feel that talking about it is the same as condoning it, so they’re hesitant to do it. Yet, according to the most recent Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), a nationwide survey of high school students, 30% of teens had sex by the end of high school.
It’s sometimes impossible to know for sure if your teen has had sex. Even if they haven’t, it’s likely they will at some point – and they need information to keep themselves safe and healthy.
What Parents Should Know About Sexually Transmitted Infections
Sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, are very common. They can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or other microorganisms, and can be transmitted through all types of sex. Although most STIs are treatable, they can affect fertility in both women and men, cause health problems for the baby during pregnancy, and sometimes lead to a lifelong infection or serious complications. That’s why teens need to know about them.
Below are the key facts about some of the most common infections: what causes them, what symptoms may occur, and how to treat them.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is the most commonly reported bacterial STI in the United States—but just as many cases are asymptomatic, so the numbers may be higher than we think.
Symptoms, if present, may include discharge from the vagina or penis, pain when urinating, or pain and swelling of the testicles (this is rare). A urine test (or a swab from the affected area) can diagnose the disease, and it is curable with antibiotics. If left untreated, it can lead to infertility, more common in women than men.
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea is another STI caused by bacteria that can also be asymptomatic. When symptoms do occur, they are very similar to those of chlamydia. Gonorrhea can also cause infertility in women and men. Although it is treatable, some infections are resistant to the usual antibiotics, so sometimes additional tests and treatments are needed.
Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis is caused by protozoa. It is another sexually transmitted disease that can be asymptomatic. If symptoms do occur, they are usually itching, irritation, and discharge. It is curable with medication.
Syphilis
Syphilis is on the rise. In the first stage of infection, there is usually a firm, round, painless sore where the infection has entered the body. The sore usually stays for three to six weeks, but since it is painless, it may go unnoticed.
In the second stage, there is a more extensive rash, but it may be faint and go unnoticed, along with general feelings of illness such as fever, sore throat, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, or weight loss.
If syphilis still goes unnoticed, it can linger in the body for years, sometimes affecting organ systems, including the brain. The disease is curable with antibiotics, but if caught late, the damage it causes can be permanent. This infection can be very serious during pregnancy.
HSV
HSV (herpes simplex virus) causes blistering. There is both oral herpes (sores in the mouth) and genital herpes. Oral herpes caused by HSV1 is not usually caused by sex – but it can lead to genital herpes through oral sex. Genital herpes is more commonly caused by HSV2.
The cold sores can recur throughout life. There is no cure for herpes, but there are medications that can shorten or prevent outbreaks. This infection can be especially dangerous during pregnancy, although the risks can be controlled with good prenatal care.
HPV
HPV (human papillomavirus) is the most common sexually transmitted infection. It can even be transmitted through close skin-to-skin contact and infections are generally asymptomatic.
Most cases of HPV (90%) get better on their own – but if they don’t, the virus can cause genital warts or certain cancers over time. Fortunately, there is an effective vaccine to prevent HPV that can be given from age 9.
HIV
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is more common in people who have other sexually transmitted diseases – mainly because sexually transmitted diseases are a sign of risky sexual behavior. It can be very difficultIt can be difficult to determine if a person has HIV, as early symptoms may feel like the flu and then people may have no symptoms at all for a long period of time.
While there is no cure for HIV, there are medications to control and prevent it.
Talking to Teens About Preventing STDs
This all sounds scary. But there are actually some simple things teens can do to prevent infections or minimize complications, which is why parents need to talk to them.
Teens can:
Use condoms every time they have sex — and use them correctly. According to the report mentioned above, about half of sexually active high school students don’t use condoms regularly.
Limit the number of their sexual partners — and have open conversations with those partners before having sex. Asking about sexual history and getting tested before starting a sexual relationship can make a difference.
Get tested regularly. Sexually active teens should get tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia every year, or more often depending on sexual history or symptoms. Testing for other infections may also be useful. In the YRBS, 95% of high school students were not tested for STDs in the past year, which is scary because nearly a third report being sexually active.
Make sure your teen sees the doctor regularly. And encourage your child to be honest about doctor visits. As a parent, you can help your child by giving them confidential time alone with the doctor.