So you want to talk to your parents about sex (or your soccer coach, or your cool aunt, or some other adult you trust – you get the idea), but you're not sure how to get started on the ultimate elephant in the room. That's okay. Just realizing it's a good idea to talk to them is an important first step. Talking lets them know you’re growing up but you still care what they think. If you’ve never brought it up with an adult before – and a lot of teens are in that same boat – don’t worry! Here are some tips:

The stigma of sex in many cultures can make talking to parents about sex a very uncomfortable task and in some families, nearly impossible. This blog post discusses a young Asian girl's experience with a near pregnancy, the anxiety she felt around telling her parents, and her thoughts years later as an adult on why she felt the way she did.

Many teens have found that it can be a big help to talk to their parents about sex and health. Because your parents know you so well, they can give you advice that is suited to you and answer your questions in a really personal way.