What Stars Doesn't Teach

Regardless of whether you choose to have sex or are unsure or know you don't want to practice abstinence or know you do want to refrain from sex it is important to become educated.

• Talk to your partner to make sure you both are on the same page. Communication is key.
• a condom is a latex tube that stops sperm from entering the vagina, if used correctly condoms are 98% effective at protecting you and your partner from pregnancy, STD's, and STI's.
  
• Use a condom.
  
• Contraceptives can be purchased at any store, your school may have them, or for free at Planned Pregnancy. Don't assume its the other person's responsibility and carrying one around with you is not slutty and doesn't make you "easy," it means you are safe and prepared.
• birth control pills are taken daily and contain hormones estrogen and progestin that suppress ovulation and is 98% effective. You need a prescription for birth control
  
• a diaphragm is a latex cup placed in vagina that blocks sperm from entering uterus, 90% effective with spermicide.
• the withdrawal method is withdrawing the penis from the vagina before ejaculation and is not a safe practice.
  
• douching after sex is also not a safe practice because the vagina has a natural pH balance (acidity) and helpful bacteria that can be affected by washing out the vagina. It can actually make women more susceptible to disease and infection.
• if you are afraid that you may be pregnant, "morning after pills" can prevent pregnancy up to 72 hours after intercourse.
• no one can make you do something you are not ready for and it is never too late to change your mind.
  
• every year, 2.5 billion teens contract a sexually transmitted disease
• our body has no natural/effective immunity to any STD's, they are viruses and bacteria that can cause infertility, illness, discomfort, and even death.
  
• Viruses such as herpes, Human Papaloma virus, hepatitis (A,B,C,D,E,G), and HIV/AIDS have no cure only treatments that can delay the onset of symptoms and illness.
• Bacterial diseases can be cured with antibiotics, they are: chlamydia, pubic lice, yeast infection, gonorrhea, and syphilis.
• Currently there are vaccines that can protect you from viral sexually transmitted diseases: HPV vaccine (Gardasil), Hepititis vaccine only availiable for only A and B.
• again the ONLY 100% effective way of avoiding pregnany and disease is abstinence.