How to Talk About STIs With Your Teen
Post Date: Apr 19, 2023
Preventative Care
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are becoming more common in young people. In fact, 15-25 year olds account for half of new STI cases, according to the CDC. That added up to 26 million infections in 2018. But a big step in helping reduce cases comes from talking to your teen about STIs. This can be difficult to bring up. Here are some tips to help you get started.
Get educated
Get informed yourself so you have the facts. What are STIs or STDs? How do they spread? How can they be prevented? Which are most common in teenagers? Get the information straight so you can help them learn too.
Give them the facts
Being factual and using scientific terminology is essential when you want to talk to your teen about any sex-related topic. Be upfront with them, and be direct.
Be honest about your feelings
You might be feeling uncomfortable talking to your teen about a tricky topic, or you may prefer that they don’t have sex at all before a certain age. It’s okay to tell them how you feel, but try to do it in a way that avoids judgment and leaves the door open for them to talk about it with you, even if they aren’t doing everything exactly how you’d want them to with their sexual health. Being open makes it more likely that they’ll feel comfortable coming to you with questions or problems.
Plan out what you want to say
There’s nothing wrong with taking time before the conversation to work out what you want to say. Maybe write it down on a piece of paper or your phone. Even having bullet points to guide the conversation can help you stay on track.
Keep it short
This type of talk can feel awkward for both you and your teen. But that’s not a good reason to avoid it. They can be receptive to information if it isn’t drawn out. Use a brief first conversation to open the door to more talks later.
Offer resources
Think back to a difficult conversation you had with your parents as a kid. Are there any instances where you see now that they were right, or they had a point, but you just didn’t want to hear it at the time? Sometimes the best solution to overcome this is by giving your child the tools to learn independently. Find the websites, books, or pamphlets with the information to help them, and make sure they have direct and embarrassment-free access.
Be open to what they have to say
Your teen might want to share information with you, whether about their sex life, their friends, or something they heard at school. Try to keep an open mind and be an active listener.
Get their provider involved
Your teen’s pediatrician or other healthcare providers can be great resources to bring into the conversation. You can also ask them to talk to your teen about STIs. Encourage your teen to bring up any questions at their annual exam. And you may even want to leave the room so they can speak to their provider privately.
Sexual health at any age starts with open communication and a comfortable relationship with a primary care provider. Make an appointment at a CHP clinic in Bozeman, Belgrade, or Livingston to start the conversation.
