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Sexuality
and Sexual Health - Adolescence
As
your sexuality goes through this evolution, it's normal to
have concerns such as these:
- Am
I normal?
- Is
masturbation normal?
- Am
I gay?
- Are
sexual fantasies normal?
- How
do I know if I am ready for sex?
- How
do I say no if I don't want to have sex?
- Am
I able to get pregnant?
- Can
I get someone pregnant?
- Can
I get AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases (STIs)?
- How
do I know if I have an STI?
- What
type of birth control should I use?
- How
do I get my partner to use a condom?
- Is
there something wrong with me if I've never had an orgasm?
- Is
it normal to lose my erection when I am with a girl?
- How
do I deal with relationship problems?
Some
of these questions have easy answers: yes, masturbation is
normal; yes, sexual fantasies are normal. Others have more
complex answers and will take time and experience to sort
out.
Because
teens are at a high risk of getting an STI, its important
to know what they are and how to avoid getting them
Sexually
transmitted infections (STIs) are diseases that can be transmitted
between people when they have vaginal, oral or anal sex. Other
diseases such as herpes can also be transmitted via skin-to-skin
contact.
You
can have an STI:
- At
any age
- And
not know about it for months even years as you may be infected
but have no symptoms
- And
infect others without knowing it
- And
become infertile if it remains untreated
- Even
after the symptoms have been treated
- And,
with the right treatment, often be completely cured.
If
you have had sex and you start to experience the following
symptoms see your doctor or Family Planning Victoria.
- Unusual
vaginal bleeding
- A
discharge (like snot) from the penis or vagina
- Sores,
lumps or rashes around or on the penis, anus or vagina
- Burning
feeling when you urinate
- Itching
around the vagina, penis or anus.
Remember
if you have had sex without a condom you may still be infected
with an STI even though you have no symptoms. So go and see
a doctor if you think you might be at risk.
Its
no big deal many STIs can be treated.
Page
maintained by:FPV Webmaster
Last updated:09/01/2006
© Family Planning Victoria
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