Adolescence can be a time full of uncertainty and excitement. Both boys and girls worry about their appearance, grades, peer pressure, dating, and their future. When sex is added to the mix, another level of anxiety or worry can bring further complications to an already overwhelmed teen. Consequences of being sexually active during adolescence can include pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and depression. One obvious consequence that teenagers face when they become sexually active is pregnancy. Pregnancy at any age can be taxing on the body and spirit. However, adding a third factor, the lack of maturity in most adolescents, can create a disastrous combination. According to an article titled Teen Pregnancy: Overview, Consequences of Teen Pregnancy, found on the Women's Health Channel, the health risks associated with teen pregnancy can be serious. “Teen pregnancy is an important issue. There are health risks to the child, and children born to teenage mothers are more likely to suffer from health, social and emotional problems. Women who become pregnant during adolescence are at greater risk of complications, such as premature labor and socioeconomic consequences” (Teen Pregnancy, 2009). Despite a notable decline in teen pregnancy rates in the United States from 1991 to 2005 (from 60 per 1000 teens in 1991 to 40.5 per 1000 in 2005), the most recent years – 2006 and 2007 – have seen an increase in these numbers . Furthermore, statistics show that approximately one-third of teenagers in the United States become pregnant, and more than 80% of these pregnancies are unintended. More alarming facts indicate that nearly 1 million teen girls become pregnant each year in the United States, and among those teens who give birth, nearly......half of the paper......do so.Works CitedCenter for illnesses. (2003) Most adolescents are not provided counseling for sexually transmitted diseases or pregnancy prevention during screenings. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/stdconference/2000/media/Teens2000.htm Johnson, K., Ph.D., Noyes, L.R., & Rector, Robert E. (2003) Sexually active adolescents have greater likelihood of being depressed and attempting suicide. The Heritage Foundation. Retrieved from http://www.heritage.org/research/abstinence/cda0304.cfmSexual Activity-Consequences of Adolescent Sexual Behavior. (2009) Retrieved from http://social.jrank.org/pages/567/Sexual-Activity-Consequences-Adolescent-Sexual-Behavior.htmlMeier, A. (2007) Adolescent Sex and Depression Study Finds Mental health of most adolescents is not affected by non-marital sex. Everyday science. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070523113756.htm