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HPV, Human Papillomavirus, is a sexually transmitted
infection that can be acquired through genital
contact with or without sexual intercourse. There are
over 100 strains of HPV, most of which have no
symptoms and resolve spontaneously. Some strains
of HPV, however, can cause warts and other strains
can cause cervical cancer. The FDA recently
approved Gardasil, a vaccine for two of the strains of
HPV that can progress to cervical cancer and two of
the strains that cause genital warts. The vaccine is
recommended for girls age 11 and 12, but can be
used for girls and women between the ages of 9 and
26. The vaccine should be initiated prior to sexual
contact/activity and is given in three doses over a 6
month period of time. The vaccine protects against
the two most common cancer-causing strains of HPV
which are responsible for approximately 70% of
cervical cancers. Since the vaccine does not guard
against all strains of HPV women are strongly
encouraged to get Pap tests regularly. The Pap test
is a screening test performed by a clinician that can
detect early cervical changes that might progress to
cervical cancer. It is important to talk with your
clinician about the HPV vaccine and Pap tests to
determine what is right for you and your family.
Ask your primary care physician about the Gardasil
vaccine or for more information, please call Planned
Parenthood League of Massachusetts toll free at
(800) 258-4448.
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"Before the workshop I never thought that I
could or should talk with my daughter about sex or
sexuality. I had always been embarrassed and had
avoided the subject no matter what. I didn't feel I
had the right to do it because my daughter is shy
and doesn't ask questions. I took It's Perfectly
Normal! home, told her about the workshop, sat
down with her and we talked. I told her that I loved
her and wanted to share some important information
that would help keep her safe and healthy. Actually,
it was fun and I was better at it than I thought!"
- Parent of a 12 year old daughter who attended
a
workshop at the Corporation
for Public Management in June 2006
"Thank you for all the information and materials you
gave me. It made sense to me when you said to us
that it's okay if kids don't want to talk - just don't
stop talking to them! My boys read through the book
and actually came back to me with, 'Hey Mom, I
didn't know...That was awesome!' I felt so
connected and more importantly, I felt trusted."
- Parent of two teenage boys who attended a
workshop at the Tufts NE-Medical Center Adolescent
Health Clinic in May 2006
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Talk less, listen more. Ask your child
questions which open the door for discussion
(e.g. "When do you think a person is ready to be a
parent?" or, "What do you think about the school
that is considering banning 'grinding' at their school
dances?") If your child asks a question, you can also
say, "This is my opinion, but I am curious to know
what you think too." Find out where your kids are
coming from, and what they know or have heard
about a particular topic before answering a question.
It can be helpful to have some context for your
child's curiosity. Validate their questions and try to
really listen without judging when they answer. Start
on a positive note by giving a compliment such
as, "I'm proud of you that you are curious and want
to talk and learn more about this." Afterward, you
might add, "I agree with you" or "I'd never thought
about it in that way before, thanks for sharing your
ideas with me."
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During puberty, sometimes the area around a boy's
nipples may feel sore and may even swell. This is
caused by the hormones that are released during
puberty. The soreness and swelling will go away after
a few months.
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Don't forget to visit our website at www.pplm. org! Our website is updated regularly with helpful tips for talking, information about workshops, and much more. Don't miss an opportunity to be the primary sexuality educator for your children. Need help? Call our Parent Education Team at (617) 616- 1658
Sincerely,
Parent Education
Planned Parenthood League of MA
email:
parenteducation@pplm.org
phone:
(617) 616-1658
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