Bristol Palin's new memoir highlights dangers of unprotected sex

Since becoming pregnant during her teenage years, Bristol Palin has become an advocate for safe sex and abstinence. In her recent autobiography titled "Not Afraid of Life," Palin described how she had little information about contraception and the risks of unprotected sex when she became sexually active.

An article published by the Anchorage Daily News highlighted the promotion of abstinence in Palin's memoir, although the book's author admitted to using birth control pills at the time she became pregnant.

The news provider reported that in a subsequent interview on Good Morning America, Palin said that she lacked information on pregnancy prevention in her teen years and was not using the oral contraceptives as prescribed.

Sexually active individuals should have "very safe sex," Palin said, quoted by the news source.

However, unwanted pregnancy is not the only risk associated with unprotected sex. Even people who use birth control pills or IUDs are susceptible to contacting sexually transmitted diseases.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 49 percent of U.S. high school students have had intercourse, and of these individuals, 34 percent did not use a condom during their last sexual encounter.