Abstinence is the only 100% effective way to prevent pregnancy and STDs. If you choose to have sex, condoms are the only method that protects against pregnancy AND STDs! That is why it is smart to use a condom every time you have sex. Do you know how to use a condom correctly? End 2019 with a gift to yourself- protection! Find free condoms and learn how to use them correctly:

Picking a condom:

Condoms come in lots of colors and textures these days but all condoms, even if they are free, are effective! Just remember, they should be made of plastic or latex because animal skin condoms do not protect against STDs, only pregnancy.

We always talk about how it’s super important to get tested for Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs). Getting tested is such an essential part of taking charge of your sexual health! But what does “getting tested” really mean? We’ve got you covered.

“I got tested so I’m all good, right?”

Nope. Many people don’t realize that there isn’t just one test that looks for every STD out there. Actually, there aren’t even tests for some STDs. That’s why it’s important to be in the know.

Most clinics you go to will test for common STDs and HIV. That means they test for chlamydia and gonorrhea through a urine test, and HIV through a blood test. However, there are other STDs that wouldn’t be found with these specific tests.

What are your plans for winter break?

• Going ice skating with some friends?
• Watching your favorite holidy movies like Elf and Nightmare Before Christmas?
• Finding the perfect gift for someone special in your life?
• Hanging with friends?

While you’re enjoying your time off, take a minute to check out some of our ideas for owning your health over winter break:

Winter break will be here soon, giving you a rest from school obligations and more time to spend with friends or to shop ‘till you drop. With only 26 days left in 2018, it’s time take a minute to reflect on what’s important to you and how you can still make a difference before the year ends. Here are 5 ways to keep up the good work you’ve been doing all year:

Written by Monique, TeenSource intern, who identifies as genderfluid

What is transgender? Who is transgender?

Everyone is assigned a sex (either male or female) at birth based on the appearance of their genitals. The term transgender describes a person whose gender identity does not match their sex assigned at birth. For example, someone could be assigned female at birth and identify as a man, vice versa, or they may identify as something else altogether. There are many terms for us,  There’s trans men and trans women, for those identifying with the binary, (more about that later) and there are multiple different identities for those of us who identify under the umbrella term of “non-binary.”  Identity, if it is trans or non-binary, is something we give ourselves. It’s not something that someone else puts on us.

We have spent the first half of November saying “Thank You” to birth control but this Thanksgiving, we have a lot more to be thankful for! Here at TeenSource we made a list of all of the things we are saying “Thank You” for!

Yesterday was Thx Birth Control Day, a chance to share all of the reasons we say “thank you” to birth control! TeenSource interviewed several people to find out why they were grateful for birth control and here are their responses.

Next Tuesday, Nov. 13, is Thanks Birth Control Day -- a day dedicated to showing a little extra love for our implants, pills, patches, and IUDs.

Last week we celebrated National Coming Out Day, an opportunity to celebrate people who have come out or are thinking of coming out. Maybe someone you know used this day as an opportunity to come out to you. You may not know how to respond when someone you know and love comes out to you, so we put together some tips.

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Unfortunately domestic violence is more common than you might think. When it comes to teens in the US, 12% of high school females and 7% of high school males reported physical violence in the last year. One in three adolescents in the U.S. is a victim of physical, sexual, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner.  Let’s begin by making it clear that domestic violence does not discriminate! All types of people can experience domestic violence no matter of their age, gender, sexual orientation, or economic status.