A vast subject with so many implications for our Teens future health and wellbeing. A number of weblinks and alternative information providers are listed here to help you with any area related to teen sexual health.
Teenage Pregnancy
The teenage pregnancy rates here in Guernsey are better than the UK, however these do not take into account terminated or failed pregnancies. Pregnancy for any woman is life changing but for teenage girls it can often lead to a life of failed aspirations and economic difficulty.
The most effective way to prevent pregnancy is through abstinence, but this can be a difficult message to convey to teenagers who are like the rest of us can often be led by the heart (or other areas) rather than the head – the difference is that adults are more likely to think about the consequences. Teenage couples who do decide to have sex can choose from many effective birth control methods to prevent pregnancy.
CLICK HERE for further information on Birth Control. You may be surprised — some popular ones aren't as effective as people might think.
The Life Changing Decision
Deciding to have a baby should be well thought out and intentional at any age. When most females find themselves pregnant, whether the baby was planned or not, there often experience a mixture of emotions, such as fear, elation, confusion and even loathing. Teenage girls are often not so well-equipped to deal with these feelings and that of the profound responsibility that the prospect of motherhood brings. They are after all in a transitional period, just getting to know themselves and making emotional adjustments having just left childhood.
Pregnancy can be a very isolating experience, feeling fearful of telling anyone about the situation, which can lead to delayed decisions about what to do. As with other problems that may arise with your child, at anytime of their life, mutual trust and respect is key to open communication between you.
· Be supportive and encourage your child to open up to you so that you are aware if they are engaged in a sexual relationship.
If your teenage daughter becomes pregnant or teenage son gets a girl pregnant:
· Control your emotions if you find out that your teenager as gone against your wishes or advice. You will make them fearful and untrusting of you and may exclude you from their decision making process
· Do not dictate to them the terms upon which they should or should not continue with the pregnancy
· Discuss the options for proceeding with the pregnancy and how you may opr may not be able to cope
· Discuss the impact on their future and the rest of the family by continuing or not with the pregnancy
· Allow them time to think and discuss their feelings before coming to a decision
Further useful links:
For Advice on Educational & Career choices for Teenage Parents:
For networking opportunites and important information on parenting:
www.bubbalicious.co.uk - this is a really helpful, new, UK based social networking site for teenage parents, both Mums and Dads alike. It is designed to be a place that offers a sense of being part of a club rather than feeling alone and not a welcome part of society. It offers information and support on various parenting issues specifically aimed at the teenage parent.
www.guernseymums.gg - our very own site will be of great use to any parents of any age. If your Teenager becomes a parent, please encourage them to log on, for local information, advice and support.
Sexually transmitted diseases (also known as STDs — or STIs for "sexually transmitted infections") are infectious diseases that are spread through intimate contact. STDs affect not only young people, but also adults of any sexual orientation and any background.
STDs have become common among teenagers mainly because of a lack of education and knowledge about protection and sexual health. STDs are more than just an embarrassment, they are a serious health problem and if left untreated, some STDs can cause infertility and even lead to death in the case of HIV/AIDS.
Why STDs Spread
Young people are experimental and these days more likely to be receptive to being sexually active earlier and more frequently as social attitudes towards sex have become more liberal. STDs spread because people often are misguided and belive that they need to have full sexual intercourse to become infected. THIS IS WRONG. A person can get some STDs, like herpes or genital warts or lice, through bodily contact with an infected or infested area.
Another myth about STDs is that you can't get them if you have oral or anal sex. That's also wrong because the viruses or bacteria that cause STDs can enter the body through tiny cuts or tears in the mouth and anus, as well as the genitals.
STDs also spread easily because you can't tell whether someone has an infection. In fact, some people with STDs don't even know that they have them. These people are in danger of passing an infection on to their sex partners without even realising it.
Some of the things that increase a person's chances of getting an STD are:
Sexual activity at a young age. The younger a person starts having sex, the greater his or her chances of becoming infected with an STD. Lots of sex partners. People who have sexual contact — not just intercourse, but any form of intimate activity — with many different partners are more at risk than those who stay with the same partner.
Unprotected sex. Latex condoms are the only form of birth control that reduce your risk of getting an STD. Spermicides, diaphragms, and other birth control methods may help prevent pregnancy, but they don't protect a person against STD
Family Planning Clinic
A list of local GP Surgeries
Youth Services
Education Department
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD’s)
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