Dear toolovable,

Doctors and other health care providers may ask teens and adults about their sex histories and whether they are sexually active. It's important to be honest so that your clinician can get an accurate picture of your health and needs. What you say about your sex life will help your clinician determine if it's a good idea to test for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or pregnancy, prescribe birth control, or offer counseling if your sexual relationship is problematic.

There's sometimes confusion over what "sexually active" actually means. Some people may think it just refers to vaginal intercourse, but it's important to let health care providers know about other forms of sex play, such as unprotected anal or oral sex, that may put people at risk for STIs.

Not all providers are comfortable talking about sex, so it's important for sexually active people to find providers that are comfortable about it. If you find your provider does not seem understanding, you may want to find another.

Planned Parenthood health centers strive to provide services that are confidential and affordable, especially for teens. But for one reason or another, health care providers in certain locations may not be able to guarantee complete confidentiality. To find out about the Planned Parenthood health center near you, call 1-800-230-PLAN.

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.