Why are teens more at risk?

[Troy]

I've been reading some news stories (and posts on this site) about how STDs are rampant in teens. Why are the numbers so high in young people? Are they just having more sex, or what?

Curious...

[getSTDtested Administrator]

It is a curious subject and I can't answer for sure why STD's are so high among teens right now, but I think part of it is just that teens are much less informed about sexual health and how to protect themselves. I think that as a teenager, you have less information about sexually transmitted infections and also less access to protection and the resources you need to keep yourself safe. It is an interesting discussion for sure.

[Zelda]

That's right, young people don't have the same access to information and resources as older people. In the last few years, I think we've done a poor job in educating them about safer sex, too.

Teens are also more susceptible biologically to STDs (the immature cervix is especially vulnerable), and they also tend to be in less stable, shorter-term relationships.

Z.

[Miss Agnes]

I can see that. When I was in college I tended to have more partners over a shorter term. Now that I'm a few years older, I'm just with one person. I should probably test, I know...