So what is the big deal with sex?
 
The short answer is - sex is powerful.  As Uncle Ben says to Peter Parker in Spider-man, “With great power, comes great responsibility.” 
 
Sex is only one part of a relationship. 
 
Take a look around to get answers to your most frequently asked questions for teens about sex.
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Teens and STDs

chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, syphilis, trichomoniasis, HPV, hepatitis B, HIV, AIDS

 
The Most Common Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
  • Chlamydia
  • Gonorrhea
  • Genital Herpes: Herpes Simplex Virus
  • Syphilis
  • Trichomoniasis (Parasite)
  • Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
  • Hepatitis B
  • HIV/AIDS
 
 
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is the most frequently reported bacterial sexually transmitted infection in the United States.
 
In females, the symptoms of chlamydia can be difficult to detect and they are often mild or go unnoticed, females may have Chlamydia and not know it. It can cause infertility, and ectopic pregnancy in women.
 
In men, the symptoms are more noticeable, and can cause more obvious pain. It can lead to an infection in the urethra. The infection sometimes spreads to the epididymis (tubes in the testicles that carry sperm) and may cause pain, fever and possibly infertility for males.
 
 
 
Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea cases have been increasing since 2005.
 
Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection of the genital tract. Although most signs show up within 10 days of exposure, some people may be infected for awhile before symptoms occur.
 
If not treated, gonorrhea can cause serious health problems in males and females. Gonorrhea can affect the cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, mouth and anus.
 
Left untreated, gonorrhea can cause pelvic inflammatory disease, which can cause permanent damage. It also can lead to infertility, ectopic pregnancy and chronic abdominal pain.
 
 
 
Genital Herpes
Genital herpes is one of the most common STDs. It affects both men and women
and usually causes sores in the genital area. It enters your body through small breaks in your skin or mucous membranes and is spread through sex and intimate skin-to-skin contact.
 
An infected person can have and spread genital herpes even when they appear to have no symptoms.
 
There is no cure for this for this STD. People who have genital herpes may have emotional stress caused by living with an incurable and reoccurring STD.
 
 
 
Syphilis
Syphilis rates in the United States have been rising since 2000.
 
Syphilis is a bacterial infection spread by sexual contact. The disease starts as a painless sore on genitals, the mouth or another part of the body. If untreated, syphilis can damage your heart and brain.
 
Although syphilis can be treated with antibiotics, leaving it undiagnosed and untreated is very dangerous and can even lead to death.
 
 
 
Trichomoniasis (Parasite)
This STD is caused by a parasite and it is contracted through sex.
 
Both males and females can have this STD. Symptoms include painful urination, itching and pain of the genital area.
 
However, people can have trichomoniasis and not have any symptoms.
 
 
 
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common STD in the US.
 
There are a hundred different types viruses that make up the HPV STD. At least 40 of these are transmitted through sexual contact. Symptoms of HPV can be genital warts. Genital warts are single or multiple growths or bumps that appear in the genital area or lining of the mouth and throat.
 
High Risk HPV infection can lead to pre- cancer of the cervix, which can be detected by a Pap test.
 
 
 
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is a viral infection that attacks the liver.
 
People get Hepatitis B through sexual contact with someone who has it.
Even though most people are able to get rid of this virus on their own, a few people will never be able to get rid of the virus and these people will have to live with it the rest of their lives.
 
There is no cure for Hepatitis B. Some people will have to live on medicine the rest of their lives to relieve their symptoms.
 
 
 
AIDS
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the name given to the later stages of an HIV infection.
 
HIV attacks the immune system and is spread through passing of body fluids through sex, sharing needles among drug users, and the passing of infected blood through blood transfusions.
 
AIDS is a chronic, life-threatening condition caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). By damaging your immune system, HIV interferes with your body's ability to fight off viruses, bacteria and fungi that cause disease. HIV makes a person more susceptible to certain types of cancers and to infections.