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Sexuality is part of our everyday life. What are you doing to educate yourself? Today there are more than 30 sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and over 200 strains of human papilloma virus (HPV). The U.S. has the highest STD rates of any country in the industrialized world.* Of the more than 15 million new STD infections each year: two thirds will occur in people under 25 years of age one in four will occur in teenagers A British study found that the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infects 46% of teenage girls after their first sexual intercourse. HPV is directly linked to 99.7% of all cervical cancers. Nearly as many women die of cervical cancer each year as die of AIDS. Nearly 50% of African-American teens have genital herpes and genital herpes increased 500% in the past 20 years among Caucasian American teens. Nearly 1 in 10 teen girls has chlamydia; nearly half of all cases are girls 15-19 years old. Over 80% of teens with STDs show no symptoms and therefore never get medical attention, leaving them exposed to the risk of serious complications years later.

In a national Kaiser Family Foundation survey, one out of every five sexually active teens reported that oral sex is safe sex. However, HIV, herpes, HPV, chancroid, intestinal parasites, gonorrhea, syphilis and hepatitis A & B can all be contracted through oral sex. Condoms not only do not eliminate the risk of contracting an STD, they do little to prevent many viral infections spread by skin-to-skin contact, especially HPV and herpes. The surest way to eliminate risk for contracting an STD is to refrain from any genital contact with another individual. For those who choose to be sexually active, a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner is the strategy most likely to prevent future infections. However, it is difficult to determine whether a partner who has been sexually active in the past is currently infected.

Why should I choose abstinence?

If this is a question you're asking, here are a few things to think about. Abstinence is the ONLY 100% way to prevent pregnancy. And considering that 1 out of every 10 teenage girls becomes pregnant each year could definitely add a plus for it. Pregnancy cannot be ignored and whatever is done about it will have a permanent effect on the mother's life. The woman is usually left with the consequences and responsibilities. Think about your goals, plans, and dreams. How would caring for a child for the next 18 years fit into those plans? Abstinence also prevents sexually transmitted diseases. In America today, 1 out of every 5 people are infected with a viral STD.. There are other issues that abstinence prevents besides the physical ones. Premarital sex provides NO ASSURANCE of security, love, or commitment from the other person. Many times it might be the three of these that teenagers are looking for. A secure marriage will provide the three of these. It will also assure you that this is the right person for more than just one night. Premarital sex can also bring future guilt and regret. Think about how hard it would be to tell your husband that you had not saved your virginity until marriage when he had. Abstinence is not saying to give up sex forever, but to wait until marriage. Think about how much more enjoyable things are when you wait for them. You might think that you are O.K. if you are not having sexual intercourse. Remember that STDs do not only transfer through sexual intercourse.

Four Stages of Building Healthy Relationships

Stage One-Exploring Similarities

At this stage, the couple must engage in a serious assessment of their relationship to determine whether it should lead to marriage. A solid foundation for marriage requires that difficult issues be resolved before the marriage, not afterwards.

Stage Four-Life-long Commitment

Marriage requires a lifelong commitment. Without a high degree of commitment, the relationship cannot last.