Sexually transmitted diseases arent an easy thing to talk about with your kids. However, open communication between a parent and a teenager can make a big difference in lowering his or her risk of contracting an STD.
What to Tell Your Teen About Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Be sure that your teen knows the basic facts about common sexually transmitted diseases. A parent can dispel myths and falsehoods circulated among teens and their friends.
Tell your teen the basics about the most common sexually transmitted diseases and suggest places to find more specific information.
The most common STDs are Chlamydia, genital herpes, genital human papillomavirus, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, HIV and AIDS, pelvic inflammatory disease, pubic lice, syphilis and trichomoniasis.
Teens should know how each sexually transmitted disease is contracted, what symptoms to look for, what treatments are available, and what effects the diseases can have on them, short-term and long-term.
Some sexually transmitted diseases are never cured, but are kept at bay with medication. Once an STD is contracted, a young person can be a carrier for life and the disease can affect reproduction.
Experts warn parents against lecturing to their teens and using scare tactics. Don't use your talk on sexually transmitted diseases to scare your child into not having sex.
Techniques for Talking to Your Teen About Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Where to start? Most parents don't have regular heart-to-heart talks with their teenagers about sensitive subjects. So many parents find it difficult and uncomfortable to talk to their kids about sexually transmitted diseases.
A good place to begin is to ask your teen what he or she has already been taught about sexually transmitted diseases, through school or other groups. Make your conversation a two-way street, which will encourage your teen to share with you.
Write down some little known facts and tell your child you found something that surprised you. For instance, because they're sometimes used incorrectly, condoms are only about 86 percent effective in preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Your teen may also be surprised to know that women can have gonorrhea, Chlamydia, hepatitis, HIV and syphilis without having any symptoms for quite some time.
Resist the urge to lecture or preach to your child. When you initiate an open conversation and listen as much as you talk, your teen will be more likely to come to you later for advice, information and with questions or concerns.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, almost half of all high school girls reported that they are sexually active. About 25 percent of them became infected with a sexually transmitted disease before they graduated from high school.
A parent can have a big impact on removing a teen from being at risk for contracting a sexually transmitted disease.
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