Pregnancy & STI Prevention Guide for Parents & Caregivers
Knowledge Leads to Prevention
Talking with children and teens about relationships, sex, pregnancy, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can feel uncomfortable—but these conversations are an important part of helping young people make healthy, informed decisions.
Young people receive information about sex and relationships from friends, social media, entertainment, and the internet. Parents and caregivers have an important opportunity to provide accurate information, communicate family values, and create a safe place for questions.
You don’t need to have one big conversation or know every answer. Small, ongoing conversations can have a lasting impact.
Start the Conversation Early
Conversations about sexual health don’t have to begin with sex. Topics such as puberty, friendships, boundaries, respect, consent, and healthy relationships provide natural opportunities to begin talking.
As children get older, conversations can include:
Family values and expectations around dating and sexual activity
Healthy and unhealthy relationships
Personal boundaries and consent
Reasons someone may choose to wait to have sex
Pregnancy and pregnancy prevention
STIs and STI prevention
Condom and contraceptive use
STI testing
Online and digital relationships
Peer pressure and decision-making
Use age-appropriate language and allow your child to guide some of the conversation with their questions.
Your Influence Matters
Even when teens seem uncomfortable discussing sex with their parents or caregivers, your guidance matters.
Help keep communication open by:
Listening without immediately judging or criticizing
Asking open-ended questions
Clearly communicating your family’s values and expectations
Providing medically accurate information
Correcting misinformation without embarrassing your child
Encouraging questions
Admitting when you don’t know an answer and finding reliable information together
Reminding your child they can come to you if they need help
The goal isn’t to have the perfect conversation. It’s to make sure your child knows the conversation can continue.
Talk About Choosing to Wait
Not having sex is the only way to completely avoid pregnancy and STIs from sexual activity.
Parents and caregivers can talk with young people about reasons they may choose to wait, including:
Personal or family values
Emotional and physical readiness
Educational, career, and future goals
Avoiding pregnancy and STIs
Wanting to build trust and communication within relationships
Not feeling ready for the responsibilities associated with sexual activity
Simply not wanting to have sex
Help your child understand that they never owe anyone sexual activity, regardless of whether they’re dating or what they may have agreed to previously.
Talk About Pregnancy Prevention
Young people should understand how pregnancy occurs and how it can be prevented before they are faced with making decisions about sexual activity.
If your teen is sexually active or considering becoming sexually active, accurate information about contraception can help reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy.
While many teens may feel uncomfortable talking with their parents about topics like relationships, sex, and sexual health, research consistently shows that young people want to know what their parents think. Parents and caregivers remain one of the most important influences in shaping teens’ attitudes, values, and decisions.
Open, honest conversations about relationships, boundaries, and sexual health can help teens make safer and more informed choices. These discussions also reinforce family values and help young people understand the importance of respect, responsibility, and healthy decision-making.
Teenagers receive messages from many sources—including friends, social media, entertainment, and the internet. While teens often turn to peers for information, surveys show that parents are still among the most trusted and influential voices in their lives.
When communication is open and teens feel respected, understood, and supported, they are more likely to ask questions, seek guidance, and make thoughtful choices.
When talking with your child:
Start with what they already know.
Ask, “What have you heard about birth control?” or “What have you learned about preventing pregnancy?” This gives you an opportunity to understand what they know and correct misinformation.
Explain that there are different methods.
Contraceptive options include condoms, birth control pills, patches, rings, injections, implants, and intrauterine devices (IUDs). These methods work differently and have different levels of effectiveness.
Talk about effectiveness.
Help your teen understand the difference between using a method perfectly and how effective it may be with typical use. A healthcare provider can provide current information about effectiveness and help answer questions about individual options.
Explain the role of condoms.
Most contraceptive methods help prevent pregnancy but do not protect against STIs. Condoms can help reduce the risk of pregnancy and many STIs when used correctly and consistently.
Talk about responsibility.
Preventing pregnancy and STIs should not be considered only one person’s responsibility. Healthy relationships include communication and shared responsibility for protecting each other’s health.
Encourage questions.
Your teen may have heard inaccurate information from friends, social media, or the internet. Make it clear that they can ask you questions without automatically getting in trouble.
Understanding STIs
Sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, are infections primarily spread through sexual contact. Some are caused by bacteria or parasites and can be cured with appropriate treatment. Others are caused by viruses and may be managed with medication or prevented through vaccination.
Common STIs include:
Chlamydia
Gonorrhea
Syphilis
Human papillomavirus (HPV)
Genital herpes
HIV
Trichomoniasis
Many STIs can cause few or no noticeable symptoms. Someone can have an infection without knowing it, which is why prevention, testing, and appropriate medical care are important.
Untreated STIs can sometimes cause serious long-term health complications.
Help Your Teen Reduce Their Risk
Not having sex eliminates the risk of pregnancy and STIs from sexual activity.
For teens who are sexually active, risk-reduction strategies include:
Using condoms correctly and consistently
Getting tested based on healthcare recommendations and individual risk
Receiving recommended vaccines, including HPV vaccination
Limiting exposure to potential infections
Mutual monogamy with an uninfected partner
Communicating with partners about sexual health and STI testing
Receiving appropriate healthcare
Avoid making conversations about sexual health entirely about consequences or fear. Providing accurate information gives young people tools to make informed decisions.
Talk About Consent and Healthy Relationships
Pregnancy and STI prevention should be part of a larger conversation about healthy relationships.
Teach your child that consent should be clear, voluntary, and ongoing.
Young people should understand:
Everyone has the right to set boundaries.
No one owes another person sexual activity.
Pressure, threats, manipulation, or guilt are not consent.
Someone can change their mind at any time.
Being in a dating relationship doesn’t automatically mean consent.
Previous sexual activity doesn’t mean consent to future sexual activity.
Healthy partners respect each other’s boundaries and decisions.
These conversations can begin long before a young person starts dating.
STI Testing and Healthcare
If your teen is sexually active, encourage them to talk honestly with a healthcare provider about their sexual health.
A healthcare provider can answer questions about:
STI prevention and testing
Contraception
HPV and other recommended vaccines
Pregnancy concerns
Sexual and reproductive health
Healthy development
You can also help your teen learn how to communicate with healthcare professionals and become increasingly responsible for their own health as they get older.
Keep the Conversation Judgment-Free
If your teen tells you something that surprises or concerns you, try to remain calm.
A strong reaction may make them less likely to come to you again.
Start with:
“I’m glad you told me.”
“Thank you for trusting me.”
“Let’s make sure you have accurate information.”
“What questions do you have?”
You can communicate your expectations and values while still making sure your child knows they can come to you when they need help.
Keep Talking
Your child doesn’t need you to know everything about sexual health. They need to know they can come to you with questions without immediately being judged or shut down.
Use everyday opportunities to talk about relationships, boundaries, consent, personal values, goals, pregnancy prevention, STI prevention, and healthy decision-making.
When you don’t know the answer, find a reliable source or healthcare professional together.
Remember
Start early.
Keep conversations ongoing.
Share your values.
Provide accurate information.
Listen without judgment.
Encourage healthy relationships and boundaries.
Make sure your child knows they can always come to you.
HELPFUL Resources
CDC – Sexually Transmitted Infections
Reliable information about STIs, symptoms, prevention, testing, and treatment.
Visit: cdc.gov/sti
CDC GetTested
Helps families and young people locate confidential STI and HIV testing services.
Visit: gettested.cdc.gov
HealthyChildren.org
Information from the American Academy of Pediatrics about adolescent development, relationships, sexual health, and talking with teens.
Visit: healthychildren.org
KidsHealth
Parent and teen resources about puberty, relationships, pregnancy, contraception, STIs, and sexual health.
Visit: kidshealth.org
Office of Population Affairs – Adolescent Health
Information and resources related to adolescent development, healthy relationships, reproductive health, and teen pregnancy prevention.
Visit: opa.hhs.gov