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Teens are increasingly practicing "unsafe sex" with new partners
Last reviewed: 30.06.2025
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Teenagers are increasingly practicing "unsafe sex" and know less and less about contraception, according to a study conducted for World Contraception Day (September 26).
A survey of more than 6,000 young people from 26 countries by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals found that over the past three years, the number of teenagers who refuse to practice safe sex with a new partner has increased by 19% in England, 39% in the United States, and 111% in France.
"The reasons for this sharp increase in the practice of 'unsafe sex' are the many barriers that prevent young people from accessing truthful information about contraception and sex. Therefore, all sorts of myths and misconceptions are still widespread," says the head of the initiative group Denise Keller.
The survey results showed that in Europe, less than half of respondents receive sex education, in the US and the Asia-Pacific region – only three quarters. Many teenagers noted that they are ashamed to seek advice from a doctor about contraception. They also admit that they are embarrassed to discuss the use of contraceptives with their partner.
More than a third of Egyptian teenagers believe that taking a bath or shower after sex will help prevent pregnancy. A quarter of Indian and Thai youth believe that sex during menstruation is an effective form of contraception.
The authors of the study claim that they have not discovered anything surprising. All this points to the urgent need to hold a World Contraception Day.