Teensource Blog

The TeenSource Blog Has Moved!

We've redesigned and relaunched our TeenSource site, including the blog. Come and visit us!

All our information on birth control and STDs is still there, and we've added a great new feature: The Hookup! It's a text message service that connects you with information on reproductive health. Just text HOOKUP to 365247 and sign up. (Regular text message rates apply.)

Remember to update your blog feed: http://teensource.org/pages/blog/feed

Spring Issue of National Campaign

The Spring Issue of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy Update is now available for download. This issue includes:

• Large Percentage of Teens and Young Adults Posting or Sending Nude/Semi-Nude Images;
• The National Day to Prevent Teen Pregnancy is May 6;
• Managing the Media Monster: The Influence of Media (From Television to Text Messages) on Teen Sexual Behavior and Attitudes;
• Contraception 101: More Than Just Pills and Condoms

Text Messaging Website

Thatsnotcool.com is a resource for all issues related to text messaging. You'll find answers to issues like text harassment, responses to pressure to take nude pics of yourself and texting it, etc. There are even "call-out" cards to respond to someone who you feel is disrespecting you through a text.

Bristol Breaks Up: Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy Stats

Here are some stats, inspired by Bristol Palin's recent break-up, about teen pregnancy and unplanned pregnancy from The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy:

• At the time of their child's birth, more than half of unmarried teen mothers say they are either "certain" or chances are "good" they will marry the biological father of their child. However, 8 out of 10 fathers don't ever marry the teen mother of their child.
• Despite high expectations for marriage, fewer than 8% of teen mothers marry their baby's father within one year of the birth of their child.
• Teenagers who have a non-marital birth are also significantly less likely to be married by the age of 35 than those who do not have babies as teens.
• Marriage among teens is rare - in 2002 only 2.5% of teens had ever been married, compared to 11% in 1975.
• As recently as 1980, the majority of teen births (52%) were marital births. By 2002, only 20% of teen births occurred within marriage.
• Teen marriages are twice as likely to fail as marriages in which the woman is at least 25 years old.
• It is also the case that most single mothers of all ages who have a child as a result of an unplanned pregnancy remain single and most cohabiting mothers either continue cohabiting or break up with their partner.

Ask a Sexual Health Question Through Live Online Chat!

If you have ever had a question about sex but are uncomfortable asking someone in person about it, go to Planned Parenthood Orange & San Bernardino County's online health ed chat. The beauty of the online chat is that you can be anywhere in the world and have access to this service, even while on vacation. "The small staff who responds to these questions – all have bachelor's degrees and certification from the state...The anonymous format is especially good for young people because it allows them to ask honest questions without worrying they're being judged or making an adult uncomfortable..." Continue reading at the Orange County Register.

Website: plannedparenthoodosbc.org/chat/chat.asp

Hours: 9 a.m. to midnight Monday through Friday; noon to midnight Saturday and Sunday

Buying Condoms? Easy as Pie! Part 2

by Natalie Treacy, a teen writer

Step by step instructions on how to buy condoms at the store:

1. Go to the store.
2. Pick the condoms you want - check the expiration date and box for damages.
3. Go up to counter.
4. Make purchase.
5. Take home and store at room temperature place (eg. sock drawer).

No need to be embarrassed about the cashier either. Trust me, they're not going to mention anything about your purchase. It's none of their business anyways, right?

Step by step instructions on how to get condoms at a clinic:

1. Find your clinic and make an appointment (if necessary).
2. Go to clinic or the doctor's office.
3. Wait in line and sign in.
4. Tell the clinician why you are there and that you want condoms.
5. If at planned parenthood or if necessary, sign form.
6. Get your condoms - check the expiration date.
7. Go home and store condoms at room temperature place (eg. sock drawer).

What NOT to do and why:

• Do not put condoms in your wallet, even for a minute. Condoms overheat and deteriorate.
• Do not put in glove compartment in car. The car and glove compartment gets really hot and condoms will overheat and deteriorate.
• Do not store condoms in hot or cold places - they can deteriorate.
• Do not use a condom more than once. It's not reliable and it's just plain messy.
• Do not use more than one condom at a time. Friction will cause condoms to break.
• Do not use any oil based lubricants. Water based only! Oil breaks down the latex.

Buying condoms? Easy as pie! Part 1

By Natalie Treacy, a teen writer

What exactly is a condom you ask? Great question and the answer could save your life. A condom is a barrier method and protects you from sexually-transmitted diseases. Did you know that condoms are the ONLY form of protection that can both help to stop the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases and prevent pregnancy? This is why it's important to use them. And here your parents had you thinking it was an "adult" water balloon.

How's it work? Another great question! The condom works by keeping semen and sperm from entering the vagina. Even if you're under 18, you can still go to the store and buy condoms. There is no age limit. Now peers, I know that we've always been told that it's important to use condoms, but no one really ever tells us where and how to access them. Don't you think that's something that we should know about too? I do, which is why I'm about to explain how and where to get them!

The first thing you should know about getting condoms is that it's easy. There's no need to be embarrassed or stressed out about it. It's simply something that you have to do if you want to protect your body. Think about this; if you're not ready to buy condoms to protect yourself and your partner, are you really ready to have sex? If you can't do the first step, then don't think about getting past first base.

Check back on Thursday for Part 2 of Natalie's blog where she shares how to get condoms!

Teenage Health Freak

Teenage Health Freak is a lively website that covers a range of health worries (including sexual health, puberty and pregnancy). You can read diary entries from a teen about his health issues on this website.

The Dangers of Sexting: Teen Commits Suicide from Sexting

Jesse Logan, an 18 year old high school teen, took nude pictures of herself and sent them to her boyfriend. After the two broke up, he sent them to other girls in the school. The girls began harassing her, calling her a slut and a whore, talking behind her back. Jesse Logan was miserable and depressed, started skipping school, and was afraid to go to school. She decided one day to go on a Cincinnati television station to tell her story to let other teen girls know of the dangers of sexting. Two months later, after attending a funeral of a friend who committed suicide, Jesse hanged herself in her bedroom.

How to Find a Clinic

Teensource is proud and excited to welcome Natalie Treacy, a teen writer, to the blog writing team! Natalie is a 17 year old high school senior. She's from Sacramento and is very passionate about sexual health issues. She is currently serving her community by putting together programs for sex education and HIV testing in her school. Attending Humboldt State in the Fall 09, this young woman has what it takes to make a difference!

Whether or not you want to go to a clinic to get condoms, birth control, Plan B, tested for STD'S, pregnancy tested, receive information on sex education or sexuality, abortion services, or for any other health care services, it should all be easy. Plus, because you're a teen, you'll hopefully be able to get services at low or no cost.

Sometimes, especially for teens, people are scared or embarrassed to go to a clinic because they think they will be judged for being there, or that someone they know will find out they were there. Well, here is a question for you. Why do you care? As long as you are healthy and happy about your body, and you're taking the necessary steps and showing responsibility to fulfill your body's needs, it doesn't matter what other people think about you. Heck, it is nobody's business but your own as to why YOU are there. Like I said, what DOES matter is that you are healthy and are taking responsibility.

Some people don't go into clinics because they don't know how to find one. Well let me tell you something. Finding a clinic for you isn't only easy, but beneficial because if you ever needed health services and you were without internet access or a phonebook, you would already know where to go!

There are many different ways that you can find a clinic to go to. A great way is to use the "find a clinic" tab at www.teensource.org – it's to the left of the home page. All you have to do is type in your area code or city, and different clinic locations nearest you will "magically" pop up. It's like, BAM! Opportunity. I know that when I needed to find a clinic fast, this tool on Teensource helped out a lot.

Another way you can find a clinic is to search keywords in like "health clinic" or "planned parenthood," followed by your area code on a search engine like Yahoo or Google. You could also look for health clinics in phone books, or you can even talk to a trusted friend or adult about where to go. Does your school have a health center? Check it out. Even if you don't want to get your services from your school, I'm sure the nurse or person/people in charge there would be happy to answer any of your questions about where to locate and access anything that you need.

So now you have your clinic, but you're scared to go by yourself. You don't want the parents to find out but you have no other ride. Try asking one of your friend's parents to take you. Explain to them that you don't want your parents to know, and you're coming to them in confidentiality because you feel like they are an adult you can trust. If they question you, tell them that you are just trying to show responsibility and want to make sure that you're healthy and safe.

Once you're at the clinic, it'll probably remind you somewhat of a doctor's office. If you haven't already called and made an appointment, then you would get in line and talk to the receptionist about why you are there. You may have to fill out some paperwork about yourself, but always remember, it's the law in California (look this up for your state) that no matter what age you are, everything is confidential. That means that no one can say that you were there and why you were there. It's nobody's business but your own. The only reason you would need to fill out paperwork is for the clinics own records. After you are called in, you'll be taken into a room to discuss with a doctor what you need, and figure out the best options for you. Before the appointment is over, you'll most likely receive some pamphlets about the topics you discussed with the doctor, and sent on your way. It really is THAT easy.

Natalie Treacy

When STDs Lead to Infertility

Check out this article by CNN about a young girl who regrets her decision not to use a condom because she contracted 2 STDs by the age of 14. She thought her boyfriend was only having sex with her but was wrong. Left untreated, the STDs developed into Pelvic Inflammatory disease which means she may be infertile and unable to have children.