GirlCharm: Sexual Health & Relationship Safety
CDC Sexual Health – Trusted Government Source
Consent, boundaries, STDs, contraception, and protecting yourself — without shame, fear, or pressure.
TeenThreads mission: Help teen girls understand their bodies, their rights, and their safety with clear, stigma‑free, medically accurate information.
Important: This guide is educational and does not replace medical care. If you feel unsafe, pressured, or have symptoms that worry you, reach out to a trusted adult or clinician.
Core truth: You never owe anyone your body, your silence, or your consent.
Quick Jump
- 1) Consent Basics
- 2) Boundaries: Physical, Emotional & Digital
- 3) Healthy vs. Unhealthy Relationships
- 4) STD Basics (What Teens Should Know)
- 5) Contraception & Pregnancy Prevention
- 6) Testing, Privacy & Clinics
- 7) Handling Pressure & Coercion
- 8) Online Safety & Digital Boundaries
- 9) When to Get Help
- Trusted Resources (Active Links)
- 20‑Question Quiz + Answers
TeenThreads Reality Check: Sexual health is not about being “experienced.” It’s about safety, respect, and choices that protect your future.
1) Consent Basics
Consent means a clear, enthusiastic, informed “yes.” Anything else is a no.
- Freely given: no pressure, guilt, or fear.
- Informed: honest, not tricked.
- Reversible: you can change your mind anytime.
- Specific: consent to one thing is not consent to everything.
- Silence is not consent.
2) Boundaries: Physical, Emotional & Digital
Boundaries protect your comfort, safety, and mental health.
- Physical: “I don’t want to be touched like that.”
- Emotional: “I’m not ready to talk about that.”
- Digital: “I don’t send photos,” “Don’t post me without asking.”
- Time: “I need space tonight.”
3) Healthy vs. Unhealthy Relationships
Healthy looks like:
- Respect
- Honesty
- Listening
- Mutual boundaries
- Support for your goals
Unhealthy looks like:
- Pressure or guilt
- Jealousy or control
- Isolation from friends
- Ignoring your “no”
- Any form of fear or intimidation
4) STD Basics
STDs (or STIs) are infections passed through sexual contact. Many have no symptoms — testing is key.
- Common STDs: chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, HPV, HIV, trichomoniasis.
- Silent infections: many STDs show no symptoms.
- Curable: chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, trichomoniasis.
- Manageable: herpes, HIV.
- Testing: the only way to know for sure.
5) Contraception & Pregnancy Prevention
Contraception helps prevent pregnancy. Some methods also reduce STD risk.
- Condoms: protect against pregnancy AND STDs.
- Birth control pills: prevent pregnancy, not STDs.
- IUDs: long‑term pregnancy prevention.
- Emergency contraception: for after unprotected sex.
- Abstinence: the only 100% pregnancy‑free option.
6) Testing, Privacy & Clinics
Testing is normal, responsible, and confidential.
- Many clinics offer teen‑friendly, confidential testing.
- You can ask for a full STD panel.
- You don’t need symptoms to get tested.
- Testing early prevents long‑term health issues.
7) Handling Pressure & Coercion
No one has the right to pressure you into anything sexual — ever.
- “If you loved me…” is manipulation.
- “Everyone else is doing it” is peer pressure.
- “Just this once” is coercion.
- Your “no” should be respected immediately.
8) Online Safety & Digital Boundaries
Your digital safety matters as much as your physical safety.
- You never owe anyone photos.
- Never send images under pressure.
- Don’t share passwords.
- Block anyone who makes you uncomfortable.
- Think before posting — screenshots last forever.
9) When to Get Help
You deserve support — not silence.
- If someone ignores your boundaries.
- If you feel pressured or unsafe.
- If you think you may have an STD.
- If you’re scared to say no.
- If you’re worried about pregnancy.
Trusted Resources
- Sexual Health
CDC – STD Facts
Planned Parenthood – Sexual Health Education - Consent & Relationships
LoveIsRespect – Healthy Relationships
GirlsHealth.gov – Relationships - Contraception</
- Contraception
CDC – Contraception Overview
Planned Parenthood – Birth Control Methods
WomensHealth.gov – Birth Control Options - Pregnancy & Reproductive Health
CDC – Reproductive Health
ACOG – Teen Reproductive Health - Testing & Clinics
CDC – Find STD Testing Near You
HHS – Teen Sexual Health Services - Safety, Boundaries & Abuse Prevention
LoveIsRespect – Types of Abuse
RAINN – Teen Sexual Safety
StopBullying.gov – Cyber Safety - Mental Health & Emotional Support
NIMH – Teen Mental Health
Mental Health America – Youth Resources
Youth.gov – U.S. Government Youth Programs - School & Community Support
American School Counselor Association
Child Mind Institute – Teen Emotional Health
Quiz Questions
Use this quiz to check your understanding. It’s not about perfection — it’s about learning how to protect your body, your boundaries, and your future.
- True or False: Consent must be enthusiastic and freely given.
- Which of the following is NOT consent?
a) “Yes, I want to.”
b) Silence
c) “I guess… if you want.”
d) Both b and c - What does “reversible” mean in consent?
- True or False: You must explain your boundaries for them to be valid.
- Which of the following is a digital boundary?
a) “Don’t post me without asking.”
b) “I don’t share passwords.”
c) “I don’t send photos.”
d) All of the above - What is one sign of an unhealthy relationship?
- True or False: Many STDs have no symptoms.
- Which STD is curable?
a) Herpes
b) HIV
c) Chlamydia
d) HPV - What is the only method that protects against BOTH pregnancy and STDs?
- True or False: You need symptoms to get tested for STDs.
- What is one example of coercion?
- Which of the following is a healthy relationship behavior?
a) Respecting boundaries
b) Jealousy
c) Guilt‑tripping
d) Demanding passwords - True or False: You can change your mind at any time, even after saying yes.
- What is emergency contraception used for?
- Which of the following is a safe response to pressure?
a) “I said no.”
b) “Stop pressuring me.”
c) Walking away
d) All of the above - True or False: You owe someone affection if you’ve been dating for a long time.
- What is one reason to get tested regularly?
- Which of the following is a physical boundary?
a) “I don’t want to be touched like that.”
b) “I need space tonight.”
c) “Don’t post that photo.”
d) “I’m not ready to talk about that.” - True or False: Pressure is normal in a healthy relationship.
- Finish the sentence: “My safety matters because ______.”
Answer Key
- True — consent must be enthusiastic, clear, and freely given.
- d) Both b and c — silence and pressured “yes” are not consent.
- You can change your mind at any time.
- False — boundaries don’t require explanations.
- d) All of the above.
- Examples: pressure, jealousy, control, ignoring your “no.”
- True — many STDs are silent.
- c) Chlamydia.
- Condoms.
- False — you do NOT need symptoms to get tested.
- Examples: “If you loved me…”, “Just this once…”, “Everyone else is doing it.”
- a) Respecting boundaries.
- True — consent is reversible.
- To reduce the chance of pregnancy after unprotected sex.
- d) All of the above.
- False — you never owe affection.
- To catch silent infections early and protect your health.
- a) “I don’t want to be touched like that.”
- False — pressure is a red flag.
- “…I deserve respect, protection, and a safe future.”
By TeenThreads Content Team