It is a common misconception amongst teens that the term “Safe Sex” refers more to the prevention of unwanted pregnancies, rather than to a combination of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs. Many teens will forgo the use of a condom if the girl is using some form of birth control, believing that they are safe. It is important that children understand the importance of protecting themselves against both. While there are ways of reversing a pregnancy, for many STD's there is no cure.
Educating yourself, and your child on the various forms of STDs, how they are spread or contracted, the outcomes etc, and what they can do to help prevent it should be one of the most important things, and probably one of the first things we discuss with our children when the topic of sex arises. The knowledge of the consequences of sex, and especially unprotected sex can often play a big part in helping your child make responsible, safer and over-all, better decisions regarding their sexual activities. Your child should also be made aware that regular blood tests, once they have become sexually active, is equally as important, as no preventative method is fool-proof – especially in the hands of teenagers – and in some cases, early detection can give more treatment or cure options.
STDs – Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Unlike days of old, STDs are more openly talked about. Back in the day, although they were still around, and fairly rampant, it wasn't something that was talked about. But even though today we are a more tolerant society, and your teens may very well be aware of some the more harmful or fatal STDs like HIV/Aids, they may not know exactly how they are contracted and what the end result can be.
They are scary, and while as parents we are reluctant to “put the fear of God” into our kids, in some circumstances it is necessary so that they grasp, what could be, the dire consequences of their actions. They need to understand that irresponsible behaviour such as unprotected sex, can effect them for the rest of their – in some cases shortened – lives.
So what are some of the more prominent STDs that your child should be concerned about?
HIV/Aids – The HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) virus is contracted and spread through the sharing of needles (blood to blood) or through sex (vaginal, anal or oral). This is one disease that there is no cure for, and doctors tend to treat the symptoms, but not the cause. It ultimately results in a breakdown of the immune system so that it is rendered completely useless against infections and cancers. Infected persons do not recover from HIV, and once the immune system breaks down the disease is then known as AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). Blood tests are the only way to diagnose this disease, as symptoms can take many years to appear.
Gonorrhoea & Chlamydia - Two completely different diseases, but both have the same symptoms, outcomes, and treatments. Although curable by antibiotics, gonorrhoea and chlamydia can cause infertility if left untreated. Infertility has been a more common side effect in women, but has still be found in men. The symptoms of this infection rarely show themselves in females, but if they have a yellowish vaginal discharge, low abdominal pains or their period becomes irregular,it may pay for them to be tested. For men, they will find it painful to pass urine, and may also have a yellowish penile discharge. Anal and oral sex with someone who has gonorrhoea can still cause an infection, but one that has no symptoms. Gonorrhoea is the cause in 25% of cases of women who have developed PID – Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, and 50% in women with chlamydia.
PID – Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
PID is an infection that spreads in 3 stages, from the vagina to the fallopian tubes. It can be spread sexually, or gynaecological procedures such as abortion can cause the infection to spread upwards.
The 3 stages of PID are as follows:
1. Cervical infection, which can lead to:
2. Infection of the endometrium, which can then lead to:
3. An infection of the fallopian tubes
Signs & Symptoms
• tenderness or pains in the lower abdomen
• irregular menstruation
• burning during urination
• change in the colour, smell or amount of vaginal discharge
• deeply felt pain during intercourse
• fever
A long-term complication of PID is Salpingitis, which is where the tubes are scarred and a woman becomes infertile. A laparoscopy is usually required to correctly diagnose PID, and it is often treated by Amoxycillan.
Syphilis – An initial result of syphilis is a sore on the mouth or genitals which will generally disappear in 2-3 weeks. A generalised skin rash, patchy hair loss, moist lumps around genitals or anus, may appear 2-4 months down the track after the initial infection. People with syphilis can remain infectious for up to 2 years, but can be cured with a simple course of antibiotics.
That is only a few of the STDs your child are at risk of contracting. It is important to educate your teen on the importance of informing their sexual partners if they have been diagnosed of having any of these or other STDs so that they can be tested and prevent further infection or re-infection.
Here you will find links on the afore mentioned STDs and others to help you understand them as much as possible: http://www.healthinsite.gov.au/topics/Sexually_Transmitted_Infections
Prevention
The best form of protection against STDs is the use of a condom, and as this isn't always completely fool-proof – especially in the heat of the moment – it is wise to educate your child to choose their sexual partners very carefully, as it is not always obvious when someone is infected. Condoms are available almost everywhere these days, and come in a variety of colours, effects and even flavours.
The condom is also effective in avoiding unwanted pregnancies, but it is important that your daughter be placed on some form of birth control when she wants to become sexually active. Many parents baulk at this, believing they are giving their daughter permission to go out and have sex whenever she pleases, but it is better to be safe than sorry, after all, there are times when the sex is not consensual and a pregnancy is the result.
Birth control, or contraception, take on many various forms these days, giving your daughter a choice of what she will feel more comfortable and secure with.
Here is a link that provides a variety of options, and even a survey for your child to take to see which contraceptive is the most suited to her and her lifestyle:
http://www.whatcontraceptiveareyou.com.au/?gclid=CLPJztO6wpoCFZcwpAodMXjKqw#/contraceptives/
As we know it can be difficult talking to your teen about sex, we have provided you with 2 links to help make it a little easier.
This first link is for you, the parent: http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Sex_education_talking_to_teenagers?OpenDocument
And this second link is for your teen: http://www.reachout.com.au/index.asp?mci=3&mwi=2&tii=19&gclid=CMK_-ti3wpoCFYcwpAodNTTjqA
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