And most teens admit if they actually had an STD, telling people close to them, and their parents in particular, would be especially difficult. Half the teenage boys and a third of the girls surveyed say they have had sexual intercourse. Most sexually experienced teens are also sexually active, that is they have had sex in the last 12 months. And many say they are now in a sexual relationship. Though the majority of sexually experienced teens have only had one or two partners, a minority have had three or more.
Teens practice safer sex more consistently than never married adults.
Eight in ten sexually experienced teens say they used a condom last time they had sex and over half say they always use them. Still, a notable minority of teens admit they are not using protection consistently. As a group teens might be more consistent condom users than adults, but they are not as consistent in discussing STD risks with partners. Less than half of sexually experienced teens discussed STD risks with their current or most recent partner. One in four sexually experienced teens have had an HIV test and three in ten have been tested for non-HIV STDs.