Teens Don't Talk Sex With Doctors; Physicians Urged to Initiate Discussions

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2000. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

Teens Don't Talk Sex With Doctors; Physicians Urged to Initiate Discussions

Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel (www.jsonline.com) (12/07/00) P. 3B
Marchione, Marilynn

A new survey of more than 15,000 high school students from around the United States indicates that only 43 percent of teenage girls and 26 percent of teenage boys discuss pregnancy prevention or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) with their doctors during routine exams. "Health care providers are missing very important opportunities," notes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Dr. Judith Wasserheit. The CDC's survey also found that older teens and those who are sexually experienced are more likely to have discussed STDs and/or pregnancy with their physicians, compared to younger teens or those who have not yet had sex. The study was discussed Wednesday at the CDC and American Social Health Association's National STD Prevention Conference in Milwaukee. Dr. Sheldon Wasserman, a gynecologist in Milwaukee and a speaker at the conference, says he makes it a point to discuss sex with each of his teen patients, and he had found that most are relieved to have the subject brought up. "They want you to" begin the discussion, he notes. "They're there for a reason."
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