Care for Teens

Condoms and other forms of contraceptives are available at Adagio Health.

External (Male) Condom

What is it?
External condoms - sometimes referred to as a male condom - fit snugly over a penis or sex toy. Male condoms are typically made from latex, less common materials include lambskin and polyurethane. 

How effective is it?
When used correctly every time you have sex, latex condoms are close to 98% effective at preventing pregnancy.  Consistent and correct use of latex condoms is also highly effective in preventing sexual transmission of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, along with sexually transmitted infections (STIs or STDs) such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and trichomoniasis. Latex condoms also greatly reduce the risk of transmitting or contracting genital herpes, syphilis, and human papillomavirus (HPV). 

How can I access it?
Family planning medical offices offer external/male condoms. They are also widely available online or in person at retail locations like supermarkets, drug stores, gas stations, etc.
 

Internal (Female) Condom

What is it?
Internal condoms - sometimes called female condoms - are a pouch that are inserted into the vagina during sex. Female condoms protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs and STDs) including HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis, and pregnancy.

How effective is it?
If you use them correctly every single time you have sex, internal condom effectiveness is 95%. 

How can I access it?
Female condoms can be purchased with or without a prescription. To purchase at a pharmacy, you’ll need a prescription from a health care provider (following an in person or online appointment). You can find them online without a prescription from places like FC2 Female Condoms.
 

Dental Dams

What is it?
Dental dams are a square piece of stretchy latex or similar material that’s placed over the vagina during oral sex. It’s not a contraceptive like an internal or external condom, but it does greatly reduce the risk of spreading bodily fluids that may carry sexually transmitted infections (STIs or STDs). 

How effective is it?
There are very few statistics on the effectiveness of dental dams, but they do reduce the risk of spreading STIs through oral sex. They do not prevent pregnancy and should not be used during penetrative sex.

How can I access it?
Dental dams can be found in some drugstores and medical offices and are more widely available for purchase online.

Myths

It's safe to re-use a condom or dental dam.
Never re-use a condom or dental dam. Always use a new condom or dental dam for each act of sexual intercourse.

I don't need to use a condom or dental dam if I'm in a committed relationship.
Even if you or your partner is using another form of birth control, being in a monogamous relationship does not eliminate the risk of an unwanted pregnancy or transmitting STIs or STDs. I don't need to be tested for STIs or STDs if I use condoms and/or dental dams.
Because condoms are not 100% effective at protecting against STIs or STDs, it is important to get tested on a regular basis if you are sexually active. Don't wait until symptoms appear to get tested -- many STIs or STDs may not cause any symptoms – but can lead to serious illness, including infertility.   Condoms and dental dams can cause users to become sterile, impotent, or lose their sex drive.
Using these products does not "kill the mood", cause impotence, or risk sterilization. There are several different external condom options that can help increase pleasure between partners. I can use any type of lube with condoms and dental dams.
Avoid using oil-based lube, or anything that has oil in it, with condoms and dental dams, especially if they are latex. Oil can damage latex condoms and make them break.  Use a water-based or silicone-based lube instead. 
 

Truths

You should always check for tears or holes in condoms and dental dams before use.
If a condom is broken, you can come into contact with sexual fluid that can cause pregnancy or the spread of STIs.

All types of couples can use condoms and dental dams.
Regardless of age, sexuality, gender, or commitment between partners, a condom or dental dam is an effective way to reduce the risk of unwanted pregnancy and/or transmission of STIs.

Annual STI or STD testing is recommended for all sexually active people.
If you have sex, it's important to get tested for STIs or STDs at least once a year. Speak with your physician about which STI or STD tests are recommended for you based on sex, age, and risk factors.

Condoms and dental dams have little to no side effects.
Unless you have a latex allergy or sensitivity, most people have no issues with condoms and dental dams.

Water-based and silicone-based lubricants are safe to use with condoms and dental dams.
If you are worried about irritation caused by friction during intercourse, water-based and silicone-based lube can be safely used with internal condoms, external condoms, and dental dams.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) also known as Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD)

PROTECT & EDUCATE YOURSELF! These sexually transmitted infections are spread by unprotected oral, vaginal, &/or anal sex; OR contact with skin, bodily fluids, or sores of an infected person.

Bacterial Vaginosis
Call me BV for short. Although my actual cause is still unknown, an imbalance of vaginal bacteria sometimes brought on by douching, not using condoms during sex, or new or multiple sexual partner(s) can increase your chances of getting me. You can expect me to cause an off-white vaginal discharge with a fishy smell or nothing at all. I increase your risk of getting some other STIs.
TREATMENT: Treatable with Antibiotics

Chlamydia
I’m one of the most common STIs and affect people under age 25 at a high rate. Most women and men who catch me don’t have symptoms so they don’t know they have me and infect other people. I can cause serious problems like pelvic inflammatory disease (PID – scroll down to read about PID), infertility, and tubal pregnancy. Women under age 25 and men who have sex with men (MSM) should be tested at least yearly for me.
TREATMENT: Treatable with Antibiotics

Genital Warts
I’m caused by certain strains of HPV (scroll down to read more about HPV). I look like small, flesh-colored bumps that cluster together at the opening of the vagina or anus or on the penis and sometimes itch. There is a vaccination available to help prevent me.
TREATMENT: Treatable with prescription creams, surgery, laser, or freezing procedures.

Gonorrhea
Does the CLAP sound familiar? That’s my nickname. Men who have me may have burning when they pee and yellow discharge from their penis. Women usually don’t know they have me. Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk of catching me. Women under age 25 and MSM should be tested at least yearly for me. Like Chlamydia, I can cause serious problems, like PID, tubal pregnancy, and infertility. 
TREATMENT: Treatable with Antibiotics

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1 & HSV-2)
I can be spread by touching another person who already has me, even if the person has no symptoms; this is called viral shedding. You can also become infected by touching one of my sores or the body fluids of an infected partner. After my first infection, I may come back from time to time in the form of small clusters of sores.
TREATMENT: This infection persists for life, BUT antiviral medication is available to help decrease transmission to partner(s) and to treat outbreaks.

HIV
I spread through blood or bodily fluids of infected individuals, through shared drug needles, and/or from mother-to-baby during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding. In my initial stages, I can cause severe flu-like symptoms. Treatment is important! Without treatment, I am the virus that can lead to AIDS.
TREATMENT: Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Medication

Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
I exist in 40 different strains that affect the anal and genital areas, some causing warts, the others causing pre-cancer and cancer. There are vaccinations for some strains and there are medications for removing warts caused by me.
TREATMENT: Vaccination for some types, medication for warts
 

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
I am usually caused by untreated Chlamydia or Gonorrhea. I cause infection and inflammation of the uterus, fallopian tubes and/or the ovaries. STI screening and early treatment of infections can reduce the risk of developing me so get tested regularly.
TREATMENT: Treatable with Antibiotics

Syphilis
I am spread by blood and bodily fluids of infected individuals and/or through shared drug needles. I show symptoms in 4 stages: 1) Primary: single, painless sore that lasts 3-6 weeks; 2) Secondary: up to 180 days after the first sore I cause skin rashes, lesions in the mouth, vagina or anus; 3) Hidden Stage: this is caused when someone does not seek treatment and shows no additional symptoms; 4) Late Stage: this stage is dangerous and can cause damage to internal organs, including the brain.
TREATMENT: Treatable with Antibiotics

Trichomoniasis
I go by “Trick” and most of the time people (especially males) don’t know I have infected them. When my symptoms do show up it is usually in women and I can cause vaginal discharge that might be a yellow-green color. I am spread by unprotected sex, so the best way to prevent me is by using condoms during sex.
TREATMENT: Treatable with Antibiotics

Preventive methods (like condoms, vaccinations & STI testing) keep you safe from getting and spreading STIs. Come see us, we can help!

**The information listed above was provided by a resource of the Reproductive Health National Training Center (RHNTC).


 

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