Teenage Sexuality
and
STDs
Adolescent & Teenage Sexuality
A time of change, physically, mentally, and
emotionally (body and mind)
It takes time for people to understand who they
are becoming.
It can be a confusing, intense, and sometimes
difficult period of time and change
Affection
The feelings of love or caring for someone else.
Romantic Relationships
Affection
Attraction, mutual respect, commitment
Adolescent/Teenage Sexuality
Sexual identity – defines how a person
identifies with their own sexuality.
How you behave
How you dress
How you interact with others
How you perceive yourself and want others to perceive
you
Who you are attracted to
Sexual orientation – refers to the gender in
which someone is attracted.
Sexual Orientation
Many stereotypes about sexual orientation (i.e.,
feminine appearance, masculine appearance)
Feelings of not fitting in, fears of prejudice,
discrimination, and violence, deny who they are or
what they feel
Chosen or genetic? Many in scientific community
feel that orientation is simply not chosen. Thought
to be a combination of biological (genetic),
psychological, and environmental factors.
Sexual Orientation
Heterosexual – romantically and physically
attracted to members of the opposite sex
(males attracted to females, females attracted to
males). Sometimes referred to as “straight”.
Homosexual – romantically and physically
attracted to people of the same sex (gay,
lesbian).
Bisexual – romantically and physically attracted
to both sexes.
Sexual Harassment
Any unwelcome advance or attention that
is of a sexual nature.
• Name calling
• Touching, groping, rubbing against someone
• Telling sexual jokes or stories
• Displaying pornographic or sexist pictures, graffiti
• Pressuring someone to engage in sexual activities or sexual
favors
• Staring, leering, whistling
• Asking for sex, sexual favors
• Gender/orientation related
• Pressuring someone for a date
RAPE
Rape is forced, unwanted sexual intercourse
(or sexual acts). Sometimes called sexual
assault can happen to men and women of
any age.
• Threat of or use of force or violence
• ALWAYS THE FAULT OF RAPIST
• Rape is a crime, no matter who commits it
(stranger, friend, acquaintance, family member)
• Date rape – between two people who know each
other (acquaintances or people dating, friends)
RAPE
What do I do if I am raped?
• Know that it is not your fault
• Seek medical care (the sooner the better)
• Deal with your feelings by seeking
emotional care
DATE RAPE
Usually occurring by someone who the
victim knows personally
Alcohol is often involved
Date rape drug (“roofies,” gamma
hydroxybutyrate GHB, ketamine)
Sexually Transmitted
Diseases
STDs
STIs – Sexually transmitted infections
About STDs
• Rising rates of STD’s among young people and
teens
• They are easily spread because it is common that
you may not be able to detect if someone is infected
• Sometimes people themselves that are infected
may not know about it yet, and can infect others
• Not only can be embarrassing, but can lead to
serious health problems
•Infertility (inability to reproduce or have
children)
•Death (i.e., HIV/AIDS)
How they are spread
MYTH: You need to have sexual intercourse to
be infected
TRUTH: You can become infected in several
ways (depending on the infection)
Skin to skin contact (i.e., open sores of herpes or
genital warts)
Oral or anal sex (infections can pass through tiny
tears or cuts in the mouth or anus)
How they are spread
MYTH: Only dirty or trashy people, or drug
users are infected with STDs.
TRUTH: STDs can affect anyone, of any age,
race, gender, or sexual orientation.
What increases your risk?
Sexual activity at younger ages increases the
chances of becoming infected
Lots of sex partners – people who are sexually
intimate (not just intercourse) with many
different partners are at increased risk
Unprotected sex - condoms are the only form
of birth control that can also decrease risk of
certain STDs
Abstinence
The active, conscious choice to not participate
in a high risk activity.
Sex – actively choosing to not have sex.
Prevention and Treatment
Abstinence
Regular male genital examinations or gynecological
examinations for females by a doctor
Exams give doctors chance to teach patients about
STDs
Can catch infections in early, most treatable stages
Don’t let embarrassment prevent you from seeking
medical attention
Don’t feel comfortable at your family doctor?
Local medical clinics will do exams confidentially
National STD Hotline 1-800-227-8922
• HIV/AIDS
• Chlamydia
• Genital Herpes
• Genital Warts
• Gonorrhea
• Hepatitis B (HBV)
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
• Pubic Lice (crabs)
• Syphilis
• Trichomoniasis
HIV/AIDS
AIDS is caused by the Human Immunodeficiency
Virus (HIV).
HIV destroys the CD4 helper lymphocytes,
which are part of the immune system.
When the virus infects the immune system, one
starts to get more serious infections that the body is
not able to fight off.
This condition is called AIDS: Acquired
Immunodeficiency Syndrome
Eventually leads to death
Spread by unprotected oral, anal, or vaginal
sex (“unprotected” - by not using a condom)
By sharing needles used for drugs, steroids, or
for tattooing or piercing
The virus can be spread from a mother to a
baby during the birthing process and by
breastfeeding.
All expectant mothers should be tested for HIV
as it can sometimes be prevented from
spreading to the child.
Extreme weakness or fatigue
Rapid weight loss
Frequent fevers
Heavy sweating at night
Swollen lymph glands
Rashes, genital, mouth, or anal sores from
infections
White spots in mouth, throat
Chronic diarrhea
Persistent cough
Females may experience severe vaginal yeast
infections
Trouble remembering things
HIV Cases
At the end of 2006, an estimated 1,106,400
persons in the United States were living with
HIV infection, with 21% undiagnosed.
from CDC. HIV Prevalence Estimates—United States, 2006. MMWR 2008;57(39):1073-76.
In 2007, there were 14,571 deaths in the U.S.
from AIDS.
Getting tested
At your family doctor, gynecologist, or a special
AIDS clinic. (EIA, ELISA, Western Blot, rapid
tests, and at home tests) Home Access Kit is
only at home test approved by FDA.
Clinics can do the tests anonymously and
confidentially
National AIDS Hotline
1-800-342-AIDS (English)
Chlamydia
Caused by bacterial infection
Often don’t know we have it
Painful to urinate, unusual or painful discharges
from penis or vagina
Symptoms take 3 weeks to appear
If untreated, infection and inflammation of
urethra, cervix (females), epididymis (males)
Treated with prescribed anti-biotics
US Rates of Chlamydia
In 2008, 1,210,523 people were infected.
401 per 100,000
By age and gender:
Females 15-19: 3,275 per 100,000
Males 20-24: 1,056 per 100,000
Hepatitis (A, B, and C)
Hepatitis is a virus which causes an inflammation
of the liver. From:
Bacterial infection
Liver injury caused by a toxin or poison
An attack of the body’s own immune system
Hepatitis B is passed through sexual activity and can cause
permanent liver damage if not treated. Can lead to
cirrhosis and/or liver cancer.
Hep C passed through needles and sex. contact.
Hepatitis (A, B, and C)
Flu symptoms
nausea, tiredness, headache, loss of appetite
Jaundice (yellowing of skin, eyes)
Symptoms in 1-4 months
Immunization is available for HEP B
6 months to recover after treatment
Hepatitis (A,B, and C)
Sharing of drug needles or paraphernalia
Tattooing or piercing? Be sure that the shop
sterilizes and uses clean equipment
Don’t share toothbrushes or razors (can be
passed through cuts)
Genital Herpes
Caused by a virus called herpes simplex (HSV)
May not be aware they are infected
Pain or itching from sores in genital area
2 to 20 days after being infected
Occasionally can cause sores in mouth
Sores start as red bumps, then red, watery
blisters
Painful to urinate
Genital Herpes
Sores can subside and go away, but virus lives
inside the body
Sores will reappear during next ―outbreak‖
4 – 5 outbreaks per year
Anti-viral medication to help clear up sores, ease
discomfort
No cure for disease
Genital Warts
Caused by HPV (human papillomavirus – over
100 types)
30 HPV types cause genital warts
Sometime you aren’t aware you are infected
As many as 1 in 2 people can have them at some
point in their lives
Genital Warts
Abstinence is only 100% prevention
Condoms give some protection, but don’t cover
all areas of the body that can be infected
US Govt – approved a vaccine that protect
against some types of HPV that cause cervical
cancer (Gardasil)
Gonorrhea
Infection caused by bacteria
Burning sensation when urinating, bleeding between periods,
unusual colored discharges from vagina or penis
Females symptoms may be subtle, males are more likely to notice
symptoms
2 to 7 days after being infected
Infection can move to other parts of the body (fallopian tubes,
uterus, testicular area, even the throat, eyes, heart, brain, skin,
and joints).
Can cause infertility in both genders if left untreated.
Treated with anti-biotics
Pubic Lice
What are they? Tiny insects that cling to and
crawl from coarse body and pubic hairs of
sexual partners
Can be located from just above the knees, all the
way up to the eyelashes
Not permanent damage to body
Treated with special shampoos and soaps to kill
lice and eggs
No need to shave off body hair
Syphilis
Cause by bacteria (spirochete)
Passed from direct contact with a syphilis sore during sex
Steady increase in cases since the 1990’s
Easily treatable in early stages
Chancre sores don’t hurt, often just one red sore before
disappearing, caused by bacteria
Secondary syphilis will show in form of rash, latent (hidde),
tertiary (worst case)
Antibiotics used to treat (easily if caught early)
Untreated can lead to brain damage, organ damage, and cause
major birth defects
Trichomoniasis
One of most common STD’s
Caused from parasite
Can live outside the body for about an hour (towels,
washcloths, bathing suits)
It is curable with antibiotics
Girls: vaginitis (inflammation), grey/green discharge
Guys: temporary itching inside the penis, mild burning
when urinating
5-28 days after exposure
PID – pelvic inflammatory
disease
Developed in females
Infection of fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, or
ovaries
Most girls develop after other untreated STD’s
More than 1,000,000 every year develop
Scarring of reproductive organs, ectopic
pregnancy (fetus in tube, not uterus), Tubo-
Ovarian Abscess (collection of fluid)