Risk Management and the Reproductive System
Each year, U.S. teens experience as many as 850,000 pregnancies, and youth under age 25 experience about 9.1 million sexually transmitted infections (STIs). By age 18, 70 percent of U.S. females and 62 percent of U.S. males have initiated vaginal sex. Comprehensive sex education is effective as risk management and at assisting young people to make healthy decisions about sex and to adopt healthy sexual behaviors.
From: http://oivietnam.com/2013/10/lets-talk-about-blankets-and-pillows/
Tips to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections and how to approach it as risk management:
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Abstinence is the only way to 100% prevent pregnancy and STIs. However, research shows that promoting abstinence only is not as successful in preventing preventing pregnancy and STIs.
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Condoms and birth control should be used in combination with each other to have the best chance of preventing pregnancy.
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Birth control does not prevent the spread of STIs, condoms are the more successful at preventing STIs.
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Get tested often while sexually active to get treatment for any STIs, including HIV.
What if I test positive for an STI?
Every STI has a different treatment. Early detection is the key, so seek treatment as soon as possible. For more information on the types of STIs and their treatment, check out this tab! The number one thing to abstain from during treatment is any sexual contact.
What if I am pregnant?
There are many complications that can happen during pregnancy, click here to check out some of the most common. The first few months of pregnancy are the more important to development and therefore finding out if you are pregnant as soon as possible is critical. Seek medical attention as soon as you suspect a pregnancy. Some habits to avoid during pregnancy are drinking, smoking, and medication.
(McKeon, 2006)
