Female adolescent sexuality. The risks and management

Human sexuality goes through many stages from birth onward before reaching adult meaning and expression. Apart from the physical aspects, sexuality involves complex cognitive and social-emotional developmental processes including capacity for intimacy, affiliation, communication, mutual respect and responsibility. A variety of risks may affect sexuality development at any stage and facet of it. To support healthy sexuality functioning in the female adolescent, physicians need to identify early risk markers, some of which are biological and others intrapsychic or sociocultural. Identification should lead to preventative action in support of the adolescent.