Education Resources

Quick Facts About Teen Health in Texas

• Texas consistently ranks in the top four states nationally in teen pregnancy rates.
• More than one billion taxpayer dollars are spent on teen childbearing health care in Texas each year.
• Teen mothers are more likely to drop out of High School, remain unmarried and live in poverty.
• Texas does not require sex education programs to teach students about preventing pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases by any means other than abstinence.
• Regional Statistics
  • In 2005, Dawson County had the highest teen pregnancy rate in the state of Texas, with 72 percent of teen mothers being of Hispanic origin.
  • Potter County in the Texas Panhandle currently ranks second in the state for teen pregnancies.
  • As recently as 2009, it was reported that Texas had the highest rate of repeat teen births of any state at 23 percent.
  • More than 11% of the population of the San Angelo/Concho Valley ages 0-34 who were tested, tested positive for HPV.
  • In 2009 in Lubbock, 6 teenage girls became pregnant on average each week.
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
  • We are diagnosing teens with cervical cancer due to HPV.
  • HPV, particularly type 16, has now been shown to be sexually transmitted between partners via genital, oral, and anal sex and is conclusively implicated in the increasing incidence of young non-smoking oral cancer patients.
• Other STDs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV and syphilis continue to increase at alarming rates, with many of our West Texas counties consistently ranking higher than the national average.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus that will affect an estimated 75-80% of males and females in their lifetime. Although most HPV infections clear on their own, the virus can lead to cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers in females and genital warts in both males and females. Gardasil is the only HPV vaccine that helps protect against 4 types of HPV. In girls and young women ages 9 to 26, Gardasil helps protect against 2 types of HPV that cause about 75% of cervical cancer cases, and 2 more types that cause 90% of genital warts cases. In boys and young men ages 9 to 26, Gardasil helps protect against 90% of genital warts cases.

For more information on HPV and the Gardasil vaccine, please call the Center.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG):

1. Women should have their first cervical cancer screening at age 21.
2. Moving this baseline age to 21 is a conservative approach to avoid unnecessary treatment of adolescents which can be very costly and have emotional and future childbearing effects.
3. Most women younger than 30 may undergo cervical screening once every two years instead of annually.
4. Women over the age of 30 who have had three consecutive negative Pap tests may be screened once every three years.

• Girls should have their first gynecologic visit between the ages of 13 and 15 years. The first visit may be just a talk between you and your doctor. You may also have certain exams. 
• The first visit is a good way for you and your doctor to get to know each other. You can find out what to expect at future visits and get information about how to stay healthy. You can ask questions about your body, growing up, and sex. 
• Your doctor may ask a lot of questions about you and your family which may seem personal, including questions about your menstrual period and sexual activities (including vaginal, oral, or anal sex). Your doctor needs to ask these questions to best know how to care for you. Giving honest answers is key to your care. Much of the information you share can be kept confidential. 
• Many young women share the same health concerns. Most of these concerns are a normal part of growing up, including cramps and problems with menstrual periods, acne, weight control, sex and sexuality, birth control, STDs, alcohol, drugs, smoking, and emotional ups and downs. Don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor about these concerns as this is a key step to staying healthy. 
• You may have certain exams at your first visit, including a general physical exam, an external genital exam, and a pelvic exam with Pap test.
• You usually do not need to have a pelvic exam at the first visit unless you are having problems, such as abnormal bleeding or pain. Most women do not have a Pap test until 21 years of age, which tests for abnormal changes in the cervix that could lead to cancer. In many instances, a painless abdominal ultrasound is performed as an alternative to a pelvic exam. 
• If you are sexually active, you may have tests for certain sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Most of the tests that teens need can be done by the doctor with a urine sample. You also may have certain vaccinations, including Gardasil. This vaccination is very important in the protection against Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which can cause cervical cancer. 
• During the general physical exam, your height, weight, and blood pressure will be checked. You also will be examined for any other health problems you may have. 
• During the external genital exam, the doctor looks at the vulva. She may give you a mirror so that you can look at the vulva as well. This exam is a good way to learn about your body and the names for each part.
• If needed, during the pelvic exam, the doctor will look at the vulva, look at the vagina and cervix with a speculum, and check the internal organs with a gloved hand. When you have a Pap test, a sample of cells is taken from your cervix with a small swab.