Abstaining Teens Are Still At Risk For STD’s [SPONSORED]

Teens who claim that they are abstaining from sex can still be at risk of contracting infection. How is that possible? Quite simply, the terms of abstinence have been redefined by young adults.

A teen may think he or she is abstinent by refraining from intercourse, but still engaging in other activity that poses high risk. Teens and young adults who label themselves virgins or abstinent, yet still engage in high risk sexual behavior, may believe themselves to be "clean" while not understanding that oral sex can transmit infection the same as intercourse. According to the CDC's article, more than 110 million Americans have an STD. Fifty percent of those cases tend to be among the teen and young adult population, ages 15-24.

The STD that leads the list as most common, HPV, The Human Papiloma Virus. In 90% of the HPV strains, the STD will clear on its own. But in the other 10%, it can lead to cervical cancer or infertility. Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are still also high contenders on the list.

For information on sexual health, proper protection or confidential testing, click here to visit the Citizens for Citizens Local Expert page. They provide service to all, regardless of ability to pay. All conversations are confidential.