Everyone says it feels good...and why wouldn’t I want to feel good? But there are risks I suppose... I don’t want to get pregnant. I’m too young to have a baby. And STDs! I wouldn’t call them ‘in’...maybe I should just re-think this whole thing...

Sex is a big decision. It’s one of the most important decisions you’ll ever have to make. Each person must use his or her own judgment and decide if it's the right time - and the right person. You’ll also have to consider things such as pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). And don’t forget about the emotional factors, because even though a person’s body may feel ready for sex, sex has very serious emotional consequences.

But a teen’s sexual health doesn’t just have to do with sex. It also has to do with puberty, menstruation, infections, and everything else in between. When kids start nearing their teen years, their bodies began to change. Girls' bodies usually become curvier. They gain weight on their hips, and their breasts develop. Guys' shoulders will grow wider, and their bodies will become more muscular. Their voices will become deeper. Both girls and guys begin to grow hair under their arms and in their pubic areas and pimples start appearing! Sounds great, right? Well...just don’t worry. It’s normal and you’ll get through it! Everyone I know has made it out alive...I swear.

!!! LINKS

Teen Sex and Pregnancy

Planned Parenthood – Teen Issues

HIV/STI Prevention and Treatment among Youth in the U.S.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases - Facts & Information

Decisions about sex

Symptoms of Common Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexual Health

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Homosexuality

!!! LOCAL RESOURCES

Greene County Family Planning
159 Jefferson Heights
Catskill, NY 12414
518-943-5679

Planned Parenthood
190 Fairview Avenue
Hudson, NY 12534
518-828-4675

Capital District Gay and Lesbian Community Council
322 Hudson Avenue
Box 131
Albany, NY 12201
518-462-6138
cdglccnews.aol.com
http://www.angelfire.com/emo2/beautiful.decay/www.thedigitalvillage.com/cdglcc

AIDS Program, Albany Medical College
47 New Scotland Ave
MC – 158
Albany, NY 12208
518-262-4439

!!! NATIONAL RESOURCES

Planned Parenthood Federation of America
434 West 33rd St.
New York, NY 10001
212/541-7800
FAX: 212/245-1845
communications@ppfa.org

 

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