Before you consider having sex, you need to know how to protect yourself. Read this article to get the basics on birth control.

Abstinence is the only form of birth control that is 100% effective in preventing pregnancy. Abstinence also protects people against STDs.

Some birth control methods work better than others. This chart compares how well different birth control methods work.

Before you consider having sex, you need to know how to protect yourself. Learn what the birth control patch is, how well it works, and more.

Before you consider having sex, you need to know how to protect yourself. Read this article to learn what birth control pills are, how well they work, and more.

A woman places the birth control ring in her vagina where it slowly releases hormones into the bloodstream to prevent pregnancy.

Before you consider having sex, you need to know how to protect yourself. Read this article about the birth control shot and find out how it works - and how well.

Condoms may be a good birth control option for couples who are responsible enough to use one each time and people who want protection against STDs.

Find out what the experts have to say.

Find out what the experts have to say.

Emergency contraception is a way to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex; for example, if a condom breaks or slips off during sex. It is also available to teens who are forced to have unprotected sex.

Learn what the fertility awareness (rhythm method) of birth control is and how it works - and some of the reasons why it might not work for teens.

Find out what the experts have to say.

Condoms protect against many STDs. Here's how to use them correctly.

Before you consider having sex, you need to know how to protect yourself. Find out what implantable contraception is, how well it works, and more.

Spermicides should be used with another birth control method, such as condoms or a diaphragm. They be used alone but are not very effective that way.

Some people are embarrassed by the topic of condoms. Here are some tips for talking about condoms with your partner.

Before you consider having sex, you need to know how to protect yourself. Read this article about the cervical cap to find out if it's right for you and how well it works.

Before you consider having sex, you need to know how to protect yourself. A diaphragm may be a birth control good option for a young woman who can take responsibility in advance.

Before you consider having sex, you need to know how to protect yourself. Learn more about the IUD and to find out how well it works for teens.

Before you consider having sex, you need to know how to protect yourself. Learn about withdrawal - and whether it's effective at preventing pregnancy and STDs.

BV is the most common vaginal infection. Although it's a mild infection, it can cause serious problems if it's not treated. Find out how to recognize BV and what to do about it in this article for teens.

Chlamydia is an STD that often has no symptoms, so lots of people can have it and not know it. Read this article to learn how to protect yourself.

Find out what the experts have to say.

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). There's no cure for genital herpes, but medicines can help control it.

You've probably heard lots about sexually transmitted diseases. The good news is that STDs can be prevented. For information on how to protect yourself and how to treat genital warts, read this article.

The STD gonorrhea can be very dangerous if it's not treated, even in someone who has mild or no symptoms. For information about how to protect yourself, read this article.

Hepatitis, an infectious liver disease, is more contagious than HIV. Find out about the different types of hepatitis.

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) spreads through blood or other body fluids, and can lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer. The most common way people become infected is by sharing drug paraphernalia.

There is no cure for AIDS, which is why prevention is so important. Get the facts on HIV/AIDS, as well as how it affects the body and is treated, in this article.

Find out what the experts have to say.

AIDS, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, is a disease where the body is unable to fight off many infectious diseases as it normally could. Find out how AIDS is spread and how to protect yourself against it.

Often the only way to know if someone is infected with HIV is through testing. Here are the facts on what's involved in getting tested — and who should get tested for HIV and why.

Condoms protect against many STDs. Here's how to use them correctly.

The HPV vaccine can help protect against the virus that causes genital warts and may lead to some kinds of cancer. Find out more in this article for teens.

Pelvic inflammatory disease, sometimes called PID, is an infection of the fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, or ovaries. Learn how to protect yourself.

Pubic lice, or "crabs," are tiny insects that usually spread through sex.

You've probably heard lots of discouraging news about sexually transmitted diseases. The good news is that STDs can be prevented. Find out how to protect yourself.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Early treatment can cure it and prevent long-term problems.

Some people are embarrassed by the topic of condoms. Here are some tips for talking about condoms with your partner.

You know you should talk about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) before the action starts. But what if the thought of having "the talk" makes you nervous? These tips can help.

People who have STDs might feel apprehensive about discussing their disease with a partner. Here are some tips on talking to a partner when you have an STD.

Trichomoniasis is a curable disease that can be passed from one person to another during sex. The good news is that it can be prevented. Read about how to protect yourself.

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common reasons that teens visit a doctor. Learn about the symptoms of UTIs, how they're treated, and more in this article.

Normal vaginal discharge has several purposes: cleaning and moistening the vagina and helping to prevent infections. But sometimes discharge indicates there's a problem. Get the facts on what's normal and what's not.

What are vaginal yeast infections? Can anything be done to prevent them?

Adolescent medicine doctors are specialists who have extra training in the medical and emotional issues that many teens face.

Periods can be confusing. Get the facts in this article for teens.

Concerned about your growth or development? Puberty can be delayed for several reasons. Luckily, doctors usually can help teens with delayed puberty to develop more normally.

Voice cracking? Clothes don't fit? Puberty can be a confusing time, but learning about it doesn't have to be. Read all about it.

Wondering what you can do to feel as clean as possible "down there"? Read this article for the facts on douches, wipes, and other feminine hygiene products.

Why do girls get periods? What goes on when a woman gets pregnant? What can go wrong with the female reproductive system? Find the answers to these questions and more in this article for teens.

This slideshow explains how the female reproductive system works.

Puberty can be confusing, especially when unexpected changes happen. Learn what gynecomastia is and why it happens.

The testicular self-examination (TSE) is an easy way for guys to check their own testicles to make sure there aren't any unusual lumps or bumps - which are usually the first sign of testicular cancer.

Wondering whether it's normal to have irregular periods? Get the facts about this common problem.

If you've ever had an erection in an embarrassing situation, you've probably asked yourself this question. But erections are a perfectly normal function of the male body, especially in guys who are going through puberty.

Just about every guy wonders about the size of his penis at one time or another.

What makes up a guy's reproductive system and how does it develop? Find the answers to these questions and more.

Get the facts on which period problems are normal and which ones might indicate something's going on.

When you're a teen, your body changes — this is part of growing up. You will have to learn new routines to keep yourself clean and healthy. Here's what to expect.

Learning to take care of your body is part of growing up. Here's what you need to do to keep your body clean and healthy.

People who play a role in their own health care make better decisions and stay healthier. Here are tips for teens on how (and why) to build a bond with your doctor.

When it comes to pads and tampons, there are lots of choices. It may take some experimenting before you find what works best for you. Here are some tips.

Lots of girls and guys worry about when their bodies will develop. The fact is that physical development starts at different times and moves along at different rates in normal kids.

It's quite common for girls to have different-sized breasts, especially as they develop during puberty. If you're worried about how your breasts are developing, check out this article.

Breast soreness is common among teens, but it can still seem worrying when it happens to you. Fortunately, breast pain is rarely serious. Find out why your breasts may hurt and what you can do about it.

At puberty, guys' bodies begin producing a lot of the hormone testosterone, which causes changes in several parts of the body, including the voice.

When you're a teen, your body changes. This part of growing up. It's called puberty. Here's what to expect.

Now that you're older, your body may be changing. This is a normal part of growing up. Here's what's going on.