Some schools offer great sex ed and others are missing the mark but for the last three years, the law has required comprehensive sex ed.

Since 2016, the California Healthy Youth Act (also known as CHYA or “Chaya”) requires public schools to teach comprehensive sex education at least ONCE in middle school and ONCE in high school. In 2019, this will include charter schools as well. And by “comprehensive,” we mean you should be getting information about:

Looking for some ways to participate in self-care? Feeling unsure about what you might like or dislike when it comes to sex or your sexuality?

Getting to know your body through self-exploration and self-love (otherwise known as masturbation)  in a private setting is a normal part of adolescent and human development.

If someone wants to use masturbation as a form of self-care, there are some benefits to keep in mind!

• Relieves Stress & Tension
  Research suggests orgasms increase endorphins just like when you exercise. Endorphins are responsible for that happy feeling and trigger a positive feeling in the body.

February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month! This effort raises awareness about domestic abuse and prevention in relationships between young adults across the country.

What is Teen Dating Violence (TDV)?

Teen dating violence, or TDV, comes in many forms. Technically, it is defined as physical, sexual, psychological, or emotional violence within a dating relationship, including stalking. Although TDV can occur in person with a current partner, it can also happen online or from a previous partner.

Remember, abstinence is the BEST way to protect against pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) because not having any type of sexual contact is the only 100% effective way to prevent pregnancy and STDs. But, if someone chooses to have sex, then condoms are important to protect against pregnancy and STDs. And you can find condoms for FREE near you or some people may even be able to get them in the mail!

MYTH: Condoms are only for heterosexual sex.

FACT: Condoms can be used by anyone. While it’s true that condoms can be used for heterosexual vaginal sex, they can also be used for other types of sex. 

Next week is one of our favorite weeks here at TeenSource. WHY?

It’s NATIONAL CONDOM WEEK!

February 14th, Valentine’s Day, kicks off a week-long public discussion about the benefits of condoms. And we definitely love condoms in more ways than one: if someone is sexually active, they can protect themselves and their partners from STDs and pregnancy, they’re widely available, and there’s a ton of variety. What’s not to love?

As a teenager in California, you have rights when it comes to your reproductive and sexual health, including getting condoms.

Maybe you’ve seen a commercial for PrEP. Maybe you’ve never heard of it at all. But we’re here to give you a little more info.

What is PrEP?

PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) is a daily pill that someone who is HIV negative can take to prevent getting the virus. Taking PrEP can lower your chance of getting HIV by 90%! PrEP can be a great option if someone has a partner who is HIV positive or has multiple or anonymous partners.

Written by guest blogger Monique, who identifies as gender fluid

If you are someone who has questioned your gender, felt weird about being called “female” or “male”  or identify as an intersex person, then I’m sure you have felt really uncomfortable filling out forms that ask your “sex” and give you two choices -- “M” or “F.” What do we do when institutions, like health care clinics or doctors’ offices, want to help us with our health questions or issues, but are not affirming our identities? Well, time to act like our inner child and draw outside of the lines! Remember, you don't have to fit into a box if it is not right for you. 

Did you know that 1 in 2 sexually active youth will get an STD (sexually transmitted disease) by the age of 25? That means half or 50% of sexually active teens will get an STD before they turn 25.  In other words STD’s like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HPV are VERY common, and you’d be surprised how easy it is to get infected and not even know it. The most common symptom of an STD is no symptoms at all. That means, most of the time, the only way to know if you have an STD is to get tested. If someone does have an STD, most are easy to treat but if left untreated, they can cause long term health problems like infertility or the inability to have a child.

IUD stands for intrauterine device. They are small plastic “t” shaped devices that are inserted by a doctor or health care provider into the uterus to prevent pregnancy. Different types of IUDs last for different lengths of time (from 3 years up to 12 years) but you can always have it removed sooner by a doctor or health care provider.

Want to know more? Here’s some answers to questions you may have about IUDs!

Happy 2019! After ending 2018 strong by giving back over winter break, make it your resolution to keep the momentum going by taking action this year.

Here are 3 ways to make 2019 your most active year yet:

1. Participate in a local Women’s March! Marches will take place all around the country on January 19, 2019. From the first demonstration in 2017, the mission of the Women’s March is to “harness the political power of diverse women and their communities to create transformative social change.”  What better way to stand up for sexual and reproductive health access, and other issues you believe in, than joining millions around the country and the world to stand up for your rights? Grab a friend, make some signs, and find a march near you!