There are risks of alternative sex for teens, unfortunately these risks might be pushed to the wayside of a teens’ mind. Many teens might know and understand the risks of having sexual intercourse like sexually transmitted diseases and unintended teen pregnancy and instead will engage in alternative types of sex thinking they are safe. However, because there are so many other risks of alternative sex for teens, it is important for teens to realize there really is no entirely safe form of sex.
Many teens will engage in types of alternative sex simply because they want to experiment or find a way to express their sexuality with a chosen partner (or partners). While teens might understand that sexual intercourse can result in an unexpected teen pregnancy, or it might even spread types of STDs and infections. Teens might not understand the risks of these alternative types of sex and instead may think they are just doing what they can get away with, while maintaining their status as a virgin. While alternative sexual activities will not likely result in an unexpected pregnancy (unless semen somehow comes close to the vaginal opening), other types of STDs and infections are still a very real possibility. In fact, risks of alternative sex for teens include more than 25 various types of sexually transmitted diseases like chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes and syphilis. Unfortunately even STDs like HIV or Aids can also be listed as risks of alternative sex for teens.
The most common types of alternative sex that teens might engage in include oral and anal sex, petting, stimulation of the genitals for either partner, mutual masturbation as well as necking or making out. While some of these may seem completely innocent, the likelihood of spreading these infections or STDs is a possibility especially when the alternative sex is unprotected or either partner has had multiple other sexual partners. Condoms may reduce the spread of some of these types of infections or STDs, but unfortunately they do not work anywhere near 100 percent, so it is important for teens to know and understand that abstinence from all types of sexual contact is the only way to completely prevent the possibility of contracting or spreading an STD or other type of infection.
It is important to understand the risks of STDs and the complications they present for those who have them including bleeding, blisters, discharge from the penis or vagina, flu-like symptoms, sore throat, bumps or infection around the genitals or mouth, pain during sex and swelling or redness around the genitals, anus and mouth. It is important for teens to understand these symptoms as most of them are experienced with some or all of the sexually transmitted disease.
Even if the person you are engaging in sexual activities with doesn’t have an STD or is not at risk for one, it is important to know that you can still get other types of infections. This is especially clear in cases of anal sex. Spreading the bacteria that can come from the anus to the vagina or mouth can cause severe infections. While these may not create STDs, the infections that do result can still make a person sick and must be treated. Other risks of alternative sex for teens is less of a health concern, but more of a safety concern. Some teens might find themselves in a situation where the sexual activities start out as seemingly innocent, or aren’t quite sex so they feel like it is okay. However, the partner may not understand the limitations and will push the other teen to engage in sexual intercourse or sex acts that they do not feel comfortable with. Cases like this can turn quickly into sexual assault or even rape. Teens that have had this happen to them need to make sure they report the incident. Even if the incident has never happened, teens need to understand this is a possibility and especially when teens begin engaging in other dangerous behaviors like drugs and alcohol abuse the risk increases even more. The likelihood of other cases of forced sexual encounters can be even more common in such situations, it is important for parents to talk to their kids and teens about being safe.
Sources: mayoclinic.com
