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Sexual Health
Condoms: Knowing the facts
Did you know that latex condoms - used consistently and correctly each time a person has sexual intercourse - are highly effective in preventing pregnancy and HIV?
WENDY: You have to use birth control and condoms every time you have sex, because you don't want to end up with a disease. It may sound a little rude, but when you're 14, and you're pregnant, you're a kid raising another kid. And that's the truth.
ORONDÉ: I make sure I talk to the person I am involved with, before anything goes down, to make sure we are on the same level. If there's no protection birth control pills and condoms I'm not involved. If we aren't able to handle even that much, to talk it through, then we're not ready to have sex.
ALEXEI: You don't want to mess with your life. If he isn't going to put on a condom, forget it. Each partner is equally responsible for using protection. Be ready to protect yourself. This means carrying a condom, just in case.
PEDRO: Not everyone is having sex, and not everyone is having sex as often as they say they're having sex. But if you're sexually active, or are thinking about being sexually active, use condoms. Make them part of your life.
VERONICA: Hey, this is your body. If he doesn't want to use a condom, tell him to go somewhere else.
ALI: Condoms don't have to be a romance-breaker. There are sexy ways to use condoms. If two people really care about each other, they will use condoms.
BEN: If you are a guy, you take care of it. You know what I am saying? If you are a girl, you should insist on it no matter what. Don't be embarrassed.
PJ: Don't be a jerk. Use a condom. Some girls might want to impress a guy so much that they don't ask him to use a condom. That's not impressive. That's stupid.
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Did you know that latex condoms are highly effective in preventing pregnancy and HIV?
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Alexei
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Ali
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Ben
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Pedro
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PJ
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Veronica
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Wendy
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Orondé
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It's A Fact.
Millions of teens become infected each year with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) also called STDs.
Nearly a million young people a year become pregnant.
Many teens decide to wait to have sexual intercourse. They want to get to know a partner as a friend. They want a friendship rather than a relationship that revolves around sex. Teens in healthy relationships seek adult guidance on the decision to have sex.
Healthy relationships share these attributes:
• Open and honest communication
• Actions based on mutual respect
• When young people are sexually active, they consistently use birth control, including latex condoms and they talk with each other about their decisions.
Some people may be infected with an STI but not admit they are. Many STIs are symptom free. Your partner may not know he or she is infected. If you have sex, be as safe as possible. Use latex condoms correctly.
Many experts believe that latex condoms can also reduce the risk of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Methods of birth control other than condoms don't protect against STIs. If you have sexual intercourse, be wise: Use latex condoms in addition to another method of birth control. Maximize the effectiveness of condoms by using them correctly every time you have sex.
Dealing With It.
How to Use a Condom Correctly
Some people are uncomfortable talking about condoms. They worry that their partner will lose interest if they insist on using condoms. Be responsible. Insist on talking about protection and whether you're ready for sexual intercourse. If you can't talk about it, you aren't ready.
Have a conversation about protection before you become aroused. Sexual feelings are powerful. You may give into those feelings and put yourself at risk.
How to Talk to Your Partner About Condoms
For more information about HIV/AIDS, call:
CDC National AIDS Hotline 800-342-AIDS (2437)
CDC National Prevention Information Network
800-458-5231 (English/Spanish) 800-243-7012 (TTY)
(This column includes excerpts from Risky Times: How to Be AIDS-Smart and Stay Healthy A Guide for Teenagers by Jeanne Blake Workman Publishing 1990).
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