Talking to teens may help reduce their risk of contracting STDs

Although some parents do not think that their teenage children engage in sexual behavior there may not be any way to ensure that this is the case. For this reason, many health experts recommend that adults have the so-called "sex talk" with their kids early in their adolescent years.

A recent article published in the San Jose Mercury Herald highlighted the importance of educating teens about the risks of unprotected sex, including unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

The newspaper noted that parents who struggle to have the sex talk with their children may consider the fact that these youngsters likely learn about sex and romance through their friends or the media, and that these methods may not always provide accurate information.

The news provider encouraged adults to convey their own views and morals with regard to intimacy to help their teens make more informed behavioral decisions.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, young adults between the ages of 15 and 24 account for more than half of the more than 19 million new cases of STDs reported each year in the U.S.