7
Sexual function, sexual abuse and sexually
transmitted diseases in adolescence
Lee Ann E. Conard
RPH, DO, MPH
Assistant Professor
Department of Pediatrics, West Virginia University School of Medicine, P.O. Box 9214, Morgantown,
WV 26506-9214, USA
Margaret J. Blythe
*
MD
Professor and Director
Indiana University School of Medicine, 1001 West 10th Street, Bryce Building, Room B2006, Indianapolis,
IN 46202, USA
As adolescents progress through puberty, many biological changes occur and, for young women,
this includes the onset of menses and the capability for reproduction. During this time, sexual
identity is developed and expressions of sexuality become more frequent. Adolescent women
engage in a variety of sexual behaviours, both non-coital and coital. As teens begin dating
relationships, they are at risk for dating violence and sexual abuse. Some may even be raped after
sedation with a ‘date rape’ drug. As adolescents attempt to develop intimate sexual relationships,
they may be at high risk for health consequences associated with sexual activity, such as pregnancy
and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Providers, such as physicians, nurse practitioners,
physician assistants and nurses, must know current STD diagnosis and treatment recommen-
dations to decrease morbidity caused by these infections. By knowing how to interview,
understanding legal issues and anticipating concerns pertinent to teens, providers have the
opportunity to decrease barriers to health care for adolescents.
Key words: adolescence; sexuality; coitus; adolescent behaviour; sexual behaviour; dating
violence; rape; sexually transmitted diseases.
All adolescents are sexual beings, whether or not they are sexually active. Teens engage
in sexual thoughts, fantasies and activities other than vaginal intercourse. Being sexually
active is often equated with vaginal intercourse with the risk of unwanted pregnancies
and acquisition of sexually acquired infections. Yet, one’s sexuality can be defined by
other experiences and described in many ways.
Teens may become sexually active in response to peer pressure, the need to
experience closeness, the desire to feel older/more mature, to experiment and/or to
feel pleasure.
1
Although teens are frequently exposed to sexual topics, they have few
qualified resources to help deal with these issues. Thus, it is important for healthcare
1521–6934/03/$ – see front matter Q 2003 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.
Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Vol. 17, No. 1, pp. 103–116, 2003
doi:10.1053/ybeog.2003.0351, www.elsevier.com/locate/jnlabr/ybeog
*
Corresponding author. Tel.: þ317-630-7946; Fax: þ317-630-7962.
E-mail address: mblythe@iupui.edu (M.J. Blythe).