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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    When and how do I educate my child about the risks of STD’s and STI’s?

    Related Topics
    Sexual Health Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
    My teenage daughter has had a boyfriend for 6 months now and i am sure they are sexually active. Should i be education her about STDs and STIs? How should i best approach the matter? Are there any resources available for this?
    • 2 answers
    • Women's Health Queensland Wide
    • Michelle Linmore
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  • Women's Health Queensland Wide

    Women's Health Queensland Wide provides free health information for Queensland women. View Profile


    Yes, and if she is not comfortable talking with you re this subject there are lots of resources you can utilize
    Teenagers as a rule are very computer savy and much of the information they seek is found on line.
    There are some excellent websites that you would be helpful and informative.
    Of course there are numerous books on the subject
    Sexual Health clinics
    Family Planning Clinics
    School based nurse/ university clinics

    Here is a link to our website http://www.womhealth.org.au/?view=featured

    http://www.likeitis.org.au/ (teenagers site which conveys info they can relate to)

    Brenda
    Women’s Health Educator
    Health Information Line, Women’s Health Queensland Wide
     
    Women living in Queensland can also call our Health Information Line - a free information and referral service for Queensland women - on 3839 9988 or 1800 017 676 (toll free outside Brisbane).
     
    Please note that all health information provided by Women’s Health Queensland Wide is subject to this disclaimer
     
     

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  • Michelle Linmore

    Counselling Psychologist, Counsellor, Psychologist, Sex Therapist

    Absolutely, it is a good plan to have this conversation with your kids as soon as it is appropriate.  Even if your daughter is already sexually active it is not too late to speak about these issues together.

    Having information about topics such as consent, relationships, sexually transmitted infections, birth control and knowing how to comunicate about these issues with trusted support people as well as partners, will help keep your teenager safe.

    One way to start a discussion is to bounce off from a TV show, movie, or even someone else's situation.  You could ask what your daughter thinks about the scenario and lead into checking if she has any questions.  You also could use the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine as a conversation starting point, or get curious and ask about what has been convered in sex education at school.

    Many people find that a website, book or brochure on this topic can be a good conversations starter as well.

    Having this conversation may be awkward at first and it is OK to acknowledge that.  At the same time, try explaining why it matters to you as a parent to make sure she is well prepared for this aspect of life and reassure her that you respect her choices and you are not judging her.

    If all else fails and she isn't comfortable to open up on the topic, you could outsource it by offering to take her to a health professional to discuss her options.

    Good luck!

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