Helpful Hints for Parents from Sex Educator Ivy Chen
The San Francisco television show "The View from the Bay" recently featured an interview with sex educator Ivy Chen.
Talk with Your Teen During National Condom Week
This week, February 10-16, is National Condom Week. Take this opportunity to talk with your teen about sexually transmitted diseases. Tell them:
• There are 19 million new cases of STDs in this country each year.
• Half of them are in young people, ages 15 to 24.
• STDs often have no noticeable symptoms.
• STDs can be passed without either partner knowing it.
• The best way to avoid STDs is to not have sex.
• If they do have sex, use a condom every time!
Protect your teen this Valentine’s Day! Make sure they aren’t spreading anything but love.
Visit TeenSource for more information on National Condom Week by clicking here.
What's Folic Acid and Why Does it Matter?
Folic acid is a type of Vitamin B that can help prevent birth defects. It’s important for women of all ages to get enough folic acid before they get pregnant. Having enough folic acid is important to the growing baby even before most women realize they are pregnant. Folic acid is needed to make the cells that form a baby’s brain, spine, organs, skin, and bones.
Be sure to take a multivitamin with folic acid every day. Every woman needs folic acid for the healthy new cells her body makes every day . . . even if she is not planning to get pregnant.
Your daughter should take one too, especially if she is sexually active.
For more information on National Folic Acid Awareness Week, January 7-13, click here.
Give Your Teens the Gift of Health this Holiday Season
Did you know that 1 in every 4 sexually active teens gets a sexual disease (STD)? It’s true. And half of all new HIV infections are in young people under 25. This holiday season, make sure your teen doesn’t get any unwanted “gifts!”
Let your teen know you care. Take time during the holidays to talk to them about how they can protect themselves. Tell them:
Don’t have sex. This is the only way to be 100% certain that you won’t get a sexual disease.
Only have sex with one person. If you only have sex with one person who only has sex with you, you both lower your risk.
Use condoms every time you have sex. Latex condoms help prevent the spread of STDs.
Get tested regularly. Many STDs have no symptoms that you’d notice. If you are having sex, ask about getting tested once a year.
For more information on HIV and other STDs, visit TeenSource with your teen by clicking here or call the CDC National Hotline at 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636).
Know the Warning Signs of Suicide
It can be tough being a teen today. Teens can feel overwhelmed, helpless and alone. Learn the warning signs of suicide and talk with your teens. Here are some signs you should look out for:
• Is your teen depressed? Does he sleep more than usual? Is she less interested in things she enjoyed doing before? Does he or she neglect his personal appearance or hygiene?
• Does she use alcohol often and to excess? Is he abusing drugs?
• Has she withdrawn from friends? Does he hang out by himself a lot rather than joining in family activities?
• Is your teen struggling with whether he or she is gay or straight?
• Is she facing an unplanned pregnancy? Is he dealing with becoming a father?
• Does she lose her temper often? Is he becoming more and more aggressive?
The fact is that depression and suicidal feelings can be treated. Sometimes all it takes is letting your teen know that you care. Show them that you want to know how they are feeling. Make sure they know that you won’t judge them. You may not feel comfortable talking about what they might be going through. Make sure they know that there are many adults who care – teachers, aunts or uncles, school counselors or even hotline counselors.
Let your teen know about 1-800-273-TALK (8255) – a hotline for free, confidential help.
For more free information, click here to visit the National Girls and Boys Town website.
Start Talking during "Let's Talk" Month
Did you know that October is “Let’s Talk” Month? This month is also known as “National Family Sexuality Education Month.” It’s dedicated to helping families talk about sex. Often, parents want to talk to their teens about sex but are nervous about bringing it up.
During October, try starting the conversation! You can even use this website as a starting point. You could say: “I saw this website that said October is 'Let’s Talk' Month. It says that many teens have questions for their parents about sex, but don’t know how to ask. What do you think?”
Download free information sheets by clicking here.
Get Free Info on Breast Cancer During October
Did you know that women of all ages can get breast cancer? During National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, talk with your daughter about breast self-exam. E-mail resources@cfhc.org and ask for a copy of “We’re Taking Care of Our Lives.” This pamphlet includes step-by-step instructions for breast self-exam.
Help protect your daughter. Encourage her to:
- Learn how to do a breast self-exam once a month.
- See her doctor once a year for a clinical breast exam.
- Start having mammograms at age 40 (or 35 if there is a family history of cancer).
For more information on National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, click here to visit the official website.
Alcohol & Other Drugs Lead to Risky Sex
Everyone knows that abusing alcohol and other drugs is bad for people, especially teens. Car crashes involving alcohol are the number one killer of teens in this country. But, did you know that using alcohol and other drugs can lead to risky teen sex? It’s true. Teens who use alcohol and other drugs are more likely to make decisions about sex that aren’t safe. If your teen uses alcohol, pot, or other drugs:
• They might put themselves in a dangerous situation.
• They might have sex when they weren’t planning on it.
• They might have sex without using birth control and get pregnant.
• They might have sex without using condoms and get HIV or another STD.
If you think your teen might have a problem with alcohol or other drugs:
• Call 1-800-448-3000 (the Girls and Boys Town National Hotline).
• Call 1-800-NCA-CALL (National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence Hopeline).
For more information on birth control and STDs, visit TeenSource with your teen by clicking here.
New Survey on What Makes Teens Happy
When you think about what makes teenagers happy, what do think is at the top of the list? In a recent survey of 1,280 young people by the Associated Press and MTV, spending time with family was the number one answer. Next was spending time with friends, followed by spending time with girlfriends or boyfriends. This survey stresses what we already know – that your relationship with your teen is very important!
What about sex? According to the survey, having sex makes 13-17 year olds less happy. For 18 to 24-year olds, sex might lead to happiness in the moment, but not in general.
Use this survey as a “teachable” moment and talk with your teen about it. Ask your son or daughter what makes them happy! For more results from the AP/MTV survey, click here.
Protecting Your Daughter from Cervical Cancer - Part II
There’s been a lot of talk lately about HPV and the HPV vaccine. You may have even seen commercials on TV for the HPV vaccine. Though most types of HPV cause no health problems, there are some that can sometimes cause cervical cancer.
The great news is that there is a vaccine now available that prevents HPV. Here’s what you need to know:
• The HPV vaccine protects against the four types of HPV that together cause 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts.
• The vaccine is given as three shots over a six-month period.
• The vaccine is very effective and very safe.
• The vaccine is recommended as a routine vaccine for all 11 and 12 year old girls. It can be given from age 9 to age 26.
Right now, the vaccine is only for girls and young women. Research is being done on an HPV vaccine for boys and young men. As yet, it is not available.
Protect your daughter and make sure she receives the HPV vaccine!
Need more information about HPV?
• Visit TeenSource with your daughter by clicking here.
• Download a free information sheet on HPV and Cervical Cancer. Click here.
