Talk with your teen about how to prevent STIs (sexually transmitted infections) — even if you don’t think your teen is sexually active.

STIs are also called STDs (sexually transmitted diseases). If talking about sex and STIs with your teen makes you nervous, you’re not alone. It can be hard to know where to start. But it’s important to make sure your teen knows how to stay safe.

How do I talk with my teen?

Use these tips to help you talk to your teen about preventing STIs:

• Think about what you want to say ahead of time
• Be honest about how you feel
• Try not to give your teen too much information at once
• Use examples to start a conversation
• Talk while you’re doing something together
• Get ideas from other parents

You can also ask your child’s doctor to talk with your teen about preventing STIs. This is called STI prevention counseling.

Why do I need to talk with my teen?

All teens can use accurate information about how to prevent STIs. Teens whose parents talk with them about sex and how to prevent STIs aren’t more likely to have sex. But they are more likely to make healthy choices about sex when they’re older.

In fact, teens say that their parents have a bigger influence on their decisions about sex than the media, their siblings, or their friends.

Find out more about why it’s important to talk to your kids about sex.

Young people are more likely to get STIs.

Almost half of all new STI cases in the United States happen in young people ages 15 to 24 years. Teens are at a higher risk than adults of getting STIs for several reasons. For example, they may:

• Not know they need tests to check for STIs
• Be hesitant to talk honestly with a doctor, nurse, or another adult about sex — so they may not get the information or the care they need to stay safe
• Not use condoms correctly every time they have sex
• Have sexual contact with multiple partners during the same period of time

Some LGBTQ teens may also be at higher risk for STIs.

What do I need to know about STIs?

STIs can spread from person to person during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Some STIs can also spread during any kind of activity that involves skin-to-skin sexual contact.

Examples of STIs include chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, genital herpes, and HIV. These diseases are very common. Although many STIs can be cured, they can cause serious health problems if they aren’t treated.

Many STIs don’t have any symptoms, so the only way to know for sure if you have an STI is to get tested. Learn more 

What do I tell my teen about preventing STIs?

Talk to your teen about what STIs are and how to prevent them. Use the facts and resources below to talk with your teen.

It’s important to learn about STIs and how they spread.

Knowing the facts helps teens protect themselves. Check out these websites together:

Complete abstinence is the only sure way to prevent STIs.

Complete abstinence means not having any kind of sexual contact. This includes vaginal, anal, or oral sex and skin-to-skin sexual contact. Complete abstinence prevents STIs.

Discuss this information about abstinence with your teen.

Condoms can help prevent STIs.

Make sure your teen knows how to use condoms — even if you don’t think they’re sexually active. Offer to help get condoms if your teen doesn’t know where to go. Share these resources:

• Condoms — for Teens
• How to Use a Condom
• How to Use an Internal Condom

It’s important for teens to talk with their partners about STIs before having sex.

Encourage your teen to talk with their partner about STI prevention before having sex. Say that you understand it may not be easy, but it’s important for your teen to speak up. These tips can help:

• Talking to Your Partner About Condoms — for Teens
• Talking to Your Partner About STDs — for Teens
• STI Testing: Conversation Starters

Your teen may need to get tested for STIs.

Ask your teen to talk honestly with the doctor or nurse about any sexual activity. That way, the doctor can decide which tests your teen may need. For example, sexually active teens may need to get tested for:

• Chlamydia and gonorrhea
• Syphilis
• HIV

It’s important to help your teen develop a trusting relationship with the doctor or nurse. Step out of the room to give them a chance to ask about STI testing and prevention in private.

This is an important step in teaching teens to play an active role in their health care. Get more tips on helping teens take charge of their health care

Keep in mind that your teen can get tested for STIs at the doctor — or go to a clinic. To find an STI clinic near you:

• Enter your ZIP code to find a local testing site
• Call 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)

How can I talk to my teen about preventing pregnancy?

It’s also important for all teens to know about preventing pregnancy. Check out these resources with your teen:

• Choose the Right Birth Control
• Contraception Explained: Birth Control Options for Teens & Adolescents
• About Birth Control — for Teens

How can I help my teen build healthy relationships?

Families have different rules about when it’s okay for teens to start dating. Whatever your rules are, the best time to start talking about healthy relationships is before your teen starts dating.

Help your teen develop healthy expectations for relationships. Get tips for talking to your kids about healthy relationships.

Credit sources from (“https://odphp.health.gov/myhealthfinder/health-conditions/hiv-and-other-stds/talk-your-teen-about-preventing-stis Health.gov”)