Teens Need To Have Intelligent Discussions About Sex

To the Editor,

Today I had a conversation about sex. No, it wasn't the classic "birds and the bees" — whatever that even means — discussion with my parents. No, it was not a drawling heteronormative black-and-white lecture on abstinence in my Health class. It was between teenagers, and it was about protection, birth control, types of sex, and STIs. It was an intelligent conversation, and it was informative, because people had answers. People knew what was true and what was a myth.

Listen, this is why it's so important for teens to talk it out about sex, STIs, and pregnancy prevention. And, really, for teens to know what they're talking about and to be able to have a conversation about sex, about STIs and about getting tested. The entire social mechanism of comfort with a topic makes it that much easier for people to open up and feel able to talk to a health care provider or their sexual partner. It may be the difference that will help someone say "Hey, maybe this month, I'll go and get tested."

My name is Sandra and I am fifteen years old. I go to Tappan Zee High School in Orangetown. And I’m a TIPSter, which stands for Teen Information Peer Services, a program for teenagers with Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic. This April, Planned Parenthood is hosting a Get Yourself Tested (GYT) campaign to honor STD Awareness month and to call attention to the importance of having information and knowledge regarding about sexually transmitted Infections and how a teenager can go out and get themselves tested and stay STI-free.

There is a lot of skewed, inaccurate, and outdated misinformation out there about sexually transmitted Infections and testing for them. There are stigmas and stereotypes that simply do not exist, and need to be spread to all teens who are looking to be sexually active at some point in their lifetime. But what is true is that 20 million new infections are diagnosed in the United States per year, and half are of people under the age of 25. So, what do young people need to know?

First, know that watching out is not enough. Knowing the symptoms of many STIs is important in acknowledging that you may be infected, but that comes with being aware that the most common symptoms, especially among females, are no symptoms at all. The only way to know for sure whether you are infected is to get tested. In fact, you should not wait until you are suspecting you have an STI to get tested — if you are sexually active, you should be getting tested twice a year or more, and so should your partner(s).

Wear protection. It doesn’t matter what type of sex you are having, or whether you or your partner is or is not on hormonal birth control. STIs can only be prevented by two methods: abstinence and barrier methods of pregnancy prevention. Condoms are free from any Planned Parenthood office, and they are necessary to preventing the spread of STIs. Be on the safe side and wear a condom, even if you have been tested, because you never know about your partner.

Know where to get tested. Planned Parenthood, Hudson Peconic works to make testing easy, affordable, and within reach of teens, and to guide us through procedures, give us information, and help us handle insurance and long term planning. PPHP offers free condoms at the door, and the Family Planning Benefit Program allows teenagers to receive free birth control, emergency contraception, STI testing and treatment, HIV testing and counseling, and more. The program is completely confidential, and parent permission is not required for people under 21. If you want to learn more or are interested in getting tested (which you all should be), go to http://www.pphp.org or call 1-800-230-PLAN to find the closest health center!

Have a conversation with your doctor or with your friends or family, if you are comfortable with that. Or with a TIPster in your school; that’s what we’re here for, and we can answer any questions you may have about STI or HIV testing. Like I did, have a talk with others about the myths relating to STIs and how to learn the facts. And never be afraid! It’s best to find and treat STIs as soon as possible, so make sure to be safe and spread the word!

Sincerely,
Sandra Goldstein Lehnert
Teen Information Peer Services (TIPSters)
Tappan Zee High School Grade 10