Let's talk Truth. Risky behaviors can really mess up our futures and keep us from reaching our North Star. There are a lot of emotional consequences to having sex too soon, but now let's talk about physical consequences. Some of this stuff is pretty extreme. Hopefully it will scare your pants on...

SEX ED 101 says "Don't just guess. Educate yourself." Many STDs have no visible symptoms, sometimes there is no way to tell if your sexual partner or potential sexual partner has one. Ask how many kids at your school are pregnant, and you could probably name them. But ask how many have an STD... you wouldn't have a clue. And that's one of many many MANY reasons to abstain from sex until marriage. Don't bet your future — and your life — on a guess.

What is an STD?

STD stands for Sexually Transmitted Disease. These diseases are sometimes known as Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). An STD is any disease that is passed by body fluids during vaginal, anal or oral sex. These fluids include semen (cum), vaginal fluids (the wetness in the vagina) and blood. But, an STD can also be spread by contact with the skin of the genital or anal area if infection is present. It can also be spread by contact inside of the mouth.

Is Your Teenager at risk for STDs?

Many teens have sex and use protection against pregnancy, but this does not always protect against and STD. Approximately one in five adults in the United States has an STD. It is estimated that 19 million STD infections occur annually, almost half of them occur among adolescents ages 15-24. This means one in four sexually active teenagers has an STD. If your teenager is sexually active they may be at risk for STDs. Get him/her tested!

Remember, when you have sexual intercourse with someone, you are potentially exposed to STDs that everyone they've had sex with before you.

STD Chart

Notes: *This takes into account as yet unpublished data, which were presented at the 2002 National STD Conference, sponsored by the CDC. See below for citation.

Sources: Ahmed S, Lutalo T, Wawer M, et al. "HIV Incidence and Sexually Transmitted Disease Prevalence Associated With Condom Use: A Population Study in Rakai, Uganda, " AIDS. 2001, 15: 2171-2179.

Baeten JM, Nyange, PM, Richardson BA, et al. "Hormonal Contraception and Risk of Sexually Transmitted Acquisition. Results from a Prospective Study.," American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2001; 185: 380-385.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance, 2002. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, September 2003.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Tracking the Hidden Epidemics: Trends in STDs in the United States 2000.

National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention, Divisions of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Basic Statistics: Cumulative AIDS Cases by Age.

Wald A, Langengerg AG, Link K, et al. "Effect of Condoms on Reducing the Transmission of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 From Men to Women," JAMA. 2001; 285: 3100-3106.