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.

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.

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 can be used alone but are more effective when used with another method of birth control, such as a condom or diaphragm.

Some people - even those who are having sex - 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.

If periods aren't regular it's usually because a girl's body is still developing. But sometimes, changes in blood flow can be a sign of abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB).

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

Find out what the experts have to say.

It's rare for teen girls to have breast problems. But sometimes a doctor or nurse might think a breast exam is a good idea. Find out why, as well as what's involved in a breast exam.

Find out what the experts have to say.

Read this article to learn all about endometriosis and how doctors help girls who have 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.

Girls should get their first gynecological checkup between ages 13 and 15. Find out what happens during a yearly gyn visit -- and why most girls don't get internal exams.

Whether you feel confused, worried, scared, or excited, you'll want to know how your life will change, what you can do to have a healthy baby.

Find out what the experts have to say.

Find out what the experts have to say.

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

Find out what the experts have to say.

A Pap smear is a medical test that helps doctors figure out if there are any problems with a girl's cervix. Find out what happens during a Pap smear.

A pelvic exam is where a doctor or nurse practitioner looks at a girl's reproductive organs (both outside and internally) and feels the uterus and ovaries to be sure everything's normal. Find out what's involved in this article for teens.

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

In polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the ovaries produce higher than normal amounts of certain hormones, which can interfere with egg development and release. Learn how doctors diagnose and treat PCOS.

Both guys and girls often find themselves having sexual thoughts and attractions. For some, these feelings and thoughts can be intense — and even confusing.

Just like other kinds of bullying, sexual bullying is intended to hurt, offend, or intimidate another person. Find out how to recognize sexual bullying and harassment and what to do.

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.

Some people - even those who are having sex - are embarrassed by the topic of condoms. Here are some tips for talking about condoms with your partner.

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.

If you just learned you're pregnant, you're not alone. You probably wonder how to tell your parents and how they'll react. Read our article for some tips.

Although toxic shock syndrome (TSS) can be serious, it's a very rare illness.

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.

Deciding whether it's right for you to have sex is one of the most important decisions you'll ever have to make. Each person must use his or her own judgment and decide if it's the right time - and the right person.

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.

Find out what the experts have to say.

Find out what the experts have to say.

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

Find out what the experts have to say.

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

A hernia is an opening or weakness in the wall of a muscle, tissue, or membrane that normally holds an organ in place. Learning to prevent hernias isn't hard to do - check out these tips.

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.

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.

Find out what the experts have to say.

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.

Both guys and girls often find themselves having sexual thoughts and attractions. For some, these feelings and thoughts can be intense — and even confusing.

Just like other kinds of bullying, sexual bullying is intended to hurt, offend, or intimidate another person. Find out how to recognize sexual bullying and harassment and what to do.

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.

Some people - even those who are having sex - are embarrassed by the topic of condoms. Here are some tips for talking about condoms with your partner.

If you're a guy, you may be wondering why the doctor needs to do a testicular exam. Find out in this article.

Serious testicular injuries are relatively uncommon, but testicular injury can be painful. Read this to find out what steps you can take to protect yourself from injury.

This emergency condition happens when the spermatic cord gets twisted and cuts off blood supply, causing pain and swelling. Find out what to do in this article for teens.

A varicocele is an enlargement of the veins in the scrotum. Although there is no way to prevent a varicocele, it usually needs no special treatment.

Deciding whether it's right for you to have sex is one of the most important decisions you'll ever have to make. Each person must use his or her own judgment and decide if it's the right time - and the right person.

Find out what the experts have to say.

Find out what the experts have to say.

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.

There's lots of misinformation out there about STDs. We set the record straight on 5 of the most common myths.

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.

If you need medical care but don't think you can afford it, you're not alone. Get tips on finding low-cost or free care in this article for teens.

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

Genital warts usually are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which also can lead to cervical cancer and other types of cancer. The HPV vaccine can prevent HPV infection.

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.

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.

People who have HIV might feel alone and frightened at times. More than anyone, they need good friends like you to lean on and trust.

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 - even those who are having sex - 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.

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

Many people think of guys as being carefree when it comes to appearance. But guys spend plenty of time in front of the mirror. And some worry just as much as girls do about their looks.

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

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.

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.

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

Your body's changing - and if you've ever felt out of step with it, you're not alone. Find out how to deal with body changes and feelings in this article.

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

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.

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.

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.