Having “the talk” with your teenage patients? Learn how to navigate discussing sexual intercourse and contraception in this 2 part episode. 

This episode was written by pediatricians Tammy Yau and Lidia Park with content support from Adrienne Hong (family medicine). Pediatricians Tammy and Lidia take full responsibility for any errors or misinformation.

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Key points:

• Maintain an open dialogue with patients when discussing sexual history. Include the 5 P’s - partners, practices, protection from STIs, past history of STIs, and pregnancy intention. 
• Barrier contraceptives include external condoms, internal condoms, latex sheets or dental dams, diaphragms, cervical caps, sponges, spermicides, and vaginal pH modulators. 
• Condoms can protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy while diaphragms, cervical caps, sponges, spermicides, and vaginal pH modulators protect against pregnancy only and not STIs

Source:

• Pediatrics July 2025: https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/156/1/e2025072218/202151/Contraceptive-Counseling-and-Methods-for
• Pediatrics August 2020: https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/146/2/e2020007252/36888/Long-Acting-Reversible-Contraception-Specific?autologincheck=redirected 
• Pediatrics August 2020: http://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2020-007237 
• ACOG: Barrier Methods of Birth Control: Spermicide, Condom, Diaphragm, and Cervical Cap | ACOG