My daughter is 13, and I’m not sure when she should start seeing a gynecologist. What is the right age to take this step? – Erin The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that girls first see a gynecologist when they’re between the ages of 13 and 15. Most girls will not need a …
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What Is the Birth Control Shot? The birth control shot is an injection given every 3 months to help prevent pregnancy. The birth control shot contains a longer acting form of the hormone progestin. How Does the Birth Control Shot Work? The hormone progestin in the birth control shot works by preventing ovulation (the release …
Talking to Your Kids About STDs It is important for parents to talk to their kids and teens about STDs (sexually transmitted diseases). Your kids need to understand how STDs spread and how to protect themselves. What Are STDs? STDs (also called sexually transmitted infections, or STIs) are infections that spread through sex (vaginal, oral, or anal). …
I’ve heard about the HPV vaccine for teenage girls. But I’m not sure my 14-year-old daughter needs it because she’s not sexually active. What should I do? – Lora The HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccine is now recommended for girls and boys both. It will help to protect them from HPV-related cancers and genital warts. The vaccine has the best chance …
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Adolescence is the dawn of sexual attraction. It happens due to the hormonal changes of puberty. These changes involve both the body and the mind — so just thinking about someone attractive can cause physical arousal. These new feelings can be intense, confusing, sometimes even overwhelming. Teens are beginning to discover what it means to be …
What Is Fertility Awareness? Fertility awareness is a way to try to prevent pregnancy by not having sex around the time of ovulation (the release of an egg during a woman’s monthly cycle). Couples who want to have a baby can also use this method to plan sex during the time the woman is most likely to …
What Is Delayed Puberty? Puberty is the time when a child’s body starts to change to an adult’s. Normally, these changes begin in girls when they’re between 8 and 14 years old. In boys, they start between the ages of 9 and 15. This wide range in age is normal, and it’s why kids may develop …
What Is Withdrawal? Withdrawal, also called pulling out, is when a male removes his penis from the vagina before he ejaculates during sex. How Does Withdrawal Work? By trying to keep sperm from entering the vagina, a person using withdrawal hopes to prevent pregnancy. How Well Does Withdrawal Work to Prevent Pregnancy? Over the course of a year, about …
What Is an Intrauterine Device (IUD)? An intrauterine device (IUD) is a piece of T-shaped plastic, about the size of a quarter, that is placed inside the uterus to prevent pregnancy. Two types of IUDs are available: one is covered with copper, the other releases the hormone progestin. How Does an IUD Work? The copper-coated …
What Is a Diaphragm? A diaphragm is a dome-shaped bowl made of thin, flexible silicone that sits over the cervix, the part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. It covers the cervix so sperm can’t get in and fertilize an egg. How Does a Diaphragm Work? A diaphragm keeps sperm from entering the uterus …
