Articles In This Section
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Sexual Development
Big physical and emotional changes happen during puberty and the teen years. These articles can help you become a source of information, comfort, and support for your kids.
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Birth Control: Emergency Contraception
Emergency contraception is a way to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex; for example, if a condom breaks or slips off during sex.
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Birth Control: Withdrawal
Even for people who think they are doing it correctly, withdrawal is not an effective way to prevent pregnancy.
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Birth Control: What Parents Need to Know
Talking to your kids about sex can be a challenge. But discussing issues like birth control can help lower teens' risk of unintended pregnancy or getting an STD.
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Birth Control: The Pill
Discussing issues like abstinence, STDs, and birth control can help lower teens' risk of unintended pregnancy or getting an STD. The birth control pill (also called "the Pill") is a daily pill that is taken to prevent pregnancy.
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Birth Control: The Patch
Find out about this method of birth control, including how well it works and possible side effects.
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Birth Control: The Birth Control Shot
The birth control shot is an injection a female gets every 3 months to help prevent pregnancy. Find out more.
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Birth Control: Spermicide
Spermicides should be used with another birth control method, such as condoms or a diaphragm. They be used alone but are not very effective that way.
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Birth Control: Implantable Contraception
Learn what implantable contraception is, how well it works, and more.
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Birth Control: IUDs
An IUD is a piece of T-shaped plastic placed inside the uterus. It's a good birth control option because it lasts for many years, needs no daily care, and is very effective at preventing pregnancy.
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Birth Control: Fertility Awareness
Fertility awareness is a way to try to prevent pregnancy by not having sex around the time of ovulation. It is not a reliable birth control method for most people.
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Birth Control: Diaphragms
A diaphragm may be a birth control good option for young women who can take responsibility in advance. Find out more.
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Birth Control: Condoms
Condoms are thin pouches that keep sperm from getting into the vagina. There are male condoms and female condoms.
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Birth Control: Cervical Caps
The cervical cap covers the cervix so sperm can't get in and fertilize an egg. It's not usually recommended for most young women and teens because it can be very hard to insert correctly.
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Birth Control: Birth Control Rings
Talking to your kids about sex can be daunting. But discussing issues like abstinence, STDs, and birth control can help lower teens' risk of unintended pregnancy or contracting an STD.
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Birth Control: Abstinence
Abstinence is the only form of birth control that is 100% effective in preventing pregnancy. Abstinence also protects people against STDs.
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When Should My Daughter First Go to the Gynecologist?
Find out what the experts say.
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Sexual Orientation
During the teen years, sexual feelings are awakened in new ways because of the hormonal and physical changes of puberty. It takes time for many kids to understand who they are and who they're becoming. Part of that understanding includes a person's sexual feelings and attractions.
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Should Girls Who Aren’t Sexually Active Be Vaccinated Against HPV?
Find out what the experts have to say.
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Female Reproductive System
Learning about the female reproductive system, what it does, and the problems that can affect it can help you better understand your daughter's reproductive health.
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Talking to Your Kids About STDs
Your kids need to understand how STDs spread and how to protect themselves. Here's how to talk to them about sexually transmitted diseases.
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Delayed Puberty
Puberty usually begins in girls 8-14, and in boys 9-15. If kids pass this normal age range without showing any signs of body changes, it's called delayed puberty.