health

"Pelvic inflammatory disease" is shorthand for any serious bacterial infection of the reproductive organs that are housed in the pelvis: the uterus, uterine lining, fallopian tubes, and/or ovaries. These infections usually start in the vagina and, when left untreated, can progressively infect other reproductive organs. 20% of PID cases are found in teens, who often are afraid or unable to get reproductive health care. PID can result in permanent infertility and chronic pain.

As many as one in four Americans have HPV.

In the United States, approximately 75% of all reported gonorrhea is found in people age 15 to 29.

One member of a group of herpes-type viruses, CMV is transmitted through body fluids, sexually and nonsexually, and from mother to infant during birth. CMV is also incredibly dangerous for people who are immunocompromised or people with HIV.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common cause of vaginitis symptoms among people with vaginas of childbearing age (15-45). However, half the people who meet clinical criteria for BV have no symptoms.

My boyfriend says that anal sex is no different than regular sex. Is that true? He also says we don't have to use a condom? Also, will I still be a virgin if I have anal sex? Will it hurt as much?

A vaccine is available to help prevent the spread of some types of HPV for people of all genders. Have a click to find out more about it.

The majority of pregnancies that occur for adolescents are unplanned. But some pregnancies in the teen years -- around one in five -- are intended. Teen pregnancy and parenting are hard, so if you're thinking about trying to make it happen, here's some food for thought.

Need to check out what your sexually transmitted disease or infection risk might be in a jiffy?

There are instances in which condom use alone - or the use of dental dams and gloves -- cannot offer the level of STI protection they can in other instances, with STIs which are transmitted not via fluid exchange, but by skin-to-skin contact: namely two of the most common STIs, HPV and Herpes.