teens ask the experts about sex
High Risk Sex - High risk sex occurs when teens, and others, participate in unprotected sex with a person who might be infected. Don't forget, you can never know that a person is uninfected unless he or she has been tested and you have personally seen the result. Even in this situation, a negative HIV test, for example, doesn't absolutely prove that a person is uninfected, because they can be infected before the test result shows up as positive. That could take 1 to 3 months after the person gets infected.
Sexual activity is also high risk when a person:
- has sex while "high" on alcohol or drugs
- doesn't always use a condom, and doesn't always use it properly
- has sex with more than one person (The more people a person has sex with, the greater their chance of getting HIV and other STDs.)
- has sex with someone who is suspected or known to have, or have had, an STD
- has sex with someone who is known to have been a drug user, especially an injection drug user.
Finally, anal sex is riskier than vaginal sex, whether a condom is used, or not. That's because the anal canal is narrower than the vaginal canal. It doesn't matter whether the anal sex is between two male partners, or between a male and a female partner. Female teens should always remember that while anal sex prevents pregnancy, it does not prevent HIV or other STDs. In fact, because of the narrow anal canal, it can actually increase the risk.
Teen Power's Bottom Line:
- Deciding whether or not to become sexually active during the teen years is one of the most important decisions teens make. This decision can not only affect their health as teens, but also their very futures.
- Therefore, Health Power suggests that you discuss the pros and cons with your parent(s) or guardian(s) if that's possible. If it's not possible, talk to some other adult you respect and feel you can trust, like an aunt, uncle, counselor, or coach. In fact, in some cases it might even be a grandparent.
- One thing's for sure. Although many teens seem to know a lot about sex, some teens who talk the most about it, know the least. So, don't just follow the crowd, and don't rush your decision or let anyone rush it for you.
Remember what Teen Power says: "Better Safe than Sorry!"
Finally, also remember the Health Power motto:
Action's The Way 4 Health Power!