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Here you'll find links to a variety of web sites that offer health information for teens, parents, health care providers and educators. If any of these no longer work, please click here to let us know!
We offer these links as a resource to our readers, with the understanding that these third-party web sites are not owned, controlled or endorsed by the Center for Young Women's Health or Children's Hospital Boston. Also, please remember that nothing on these third-party web sites should be considered medical advice, which can only be given to you by your personal health care provider. The Center for Young Women's Health advises families to discuss all information and questions related to health care with a health care professional.
Click on a heading to jump to a specific topic.
Eating Disorders and Body Image
Gynecology and Reproductive Health
Medical Tests and Surgery Preparation
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Acne 
AcneNet: Have you got questions about acne, zits, or pimples? This site created by the American Academy of Dermatology can help answer questions you might have about acne.
Questions and Answers About Acne: A question and answer site brought to you by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.
Birth Control
Birth Control Choices for Teens: A comprehensive overview of all of the available birth control choices for teens and the pros and cons of each.
What You Should Know About Contraception: An overview of the available forms of contraception and their pros and cons, writeen especially for teens from the DHHS Office of Public Health and Science (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader).
Birth Control: What You Need to Know: An overview of the available forms of birth control from the Nemours Foundation.
www.backupyourbirthcontrol.org: A web site devoted to educating teens and women about emergency contraception (EC), including information on what EC is, how to use it, and where to get it.
Birth Control & Contraception for Teenagers: An overview of birth control options for teens from AVERT, a UK-based charity dedicated to the prevention of HIV and AIDS worldwide.
FemCap: the official website of FemCap, the cervical cap which is sold in the United States. Excellent graphics and instructions for how to insert, remove, and care for the cervical cap.
Life in the Fast Lane: Teens share their stories about the challenges of being a teenage parent.
Cancer
www.teenslivingwithcancer.org: This web site is dedicated to helping teens meet the challenges of living with cancer by offering resources, information, and a sense of community. The site also offers information for family and friends of teens living with cancer.
For Teens Only: Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center offers information and resource for teens living with cancer.
Dealing with Cancer: An article from the Nemours Foundation with information for teens who are living with cancer.
Cyberbullying
i-SAFE Inc. is a non-profit foundation dedicated to protecting the online experiences of youth everywhere. i-SAFE incorporates classroom curriculum with dynamic community outreach to empower students, teachers, parents, law enforcement, and concerned adults to make the Internet a safer place.
http://www.mysecurecyberspace.com
http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/
http://www.us-cert.gov/cas/tips/ST06-005.html
Eating Disorders and Body Image
www.medainc.org: The Massachusetts Eating Disorders Association (MEDA) is dedicated to the prevention, education, and treatment of eating disorders.
www.nationaleatingdisorders.org: The mission of the National Eating Disorders Association is to eliminate eating disorders and body dissatisfaction through preventative education, information, and support for girls and women dealing with eating disorders.
www.something-fishy.org: SomethingFishy.org is a personal web site offering information on anorexia and bulimia, treatment options, personal stories and more.
www.bulimia.com: Gürze Books at Bulimia.com specializes in eating disorder publications and education. They offer books and articles about eating disorders, newsletters, and links to treatment facilities, organizations, and other websites.
Emotional Health
Emotional Health on TeensHealth.org: TeensHealth.org offers a variety of articles on emotional health for teens, on topics ranging from anxiety and stress to relationship issues.
www.teenhelp.org: TeenHelp.org offers peer-to-peer counseling and support from one teen to another. The TAO web site offers information, support, and live chats, and also maintains an archive of past questions and articles. You can also find crisis and hotline information on this web site.
www.teencentral.net: TeenCentral.Net is an anonymous help-line web site by teens, for teens. It is professionally monitored to ensure a safe environment for teens to reach out and express whatever is on their mind.
Endometriosis
www.endometriosisassn.org: The Endometriosis Association offers a wide variety of information and support resources for teens and women with endometriosis.
Facts About Endometriosis: This fact sheet is written by National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.
For Parents
Back-to-School Teen Health Kit for Parents: Fact sheets and tips for parents on such teen health issues as depression, safety, nutrition, smoking, drug abuse, and a range of other topics.
Q&A: Teen Pregnancy:What should parents say to their kids about pregnancy, sexuality and the influence famous people have on the decisions of others? Doctors from Children's Hospital Boston's Young Parents Program share their thoughts and offer resources.
General Health and Development
www.4girls.gov: 4Girls.gov offers information on staying healthy, safe, and in charge to girls ages 10-16.
www.cdc.gov: This is the web site of the United States Government Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. You can find information about common illnesses, their treatment and prevention.
www.teenshealth.org: TeensHealth.org is the Nemours Foundation's web site especially for teens. It has information on all kinds of health issues that teens deal with, from acne and school stress to chronic illness.
Go Ask Alice!: Go Ask Alice! is an online question and answer service provided by Columbia University's Health Education Program, offering answers to questions on topics of relationships, sexuality and sexual health, emotional health, fitness and nutrition, alcohol, nicotine, and other drugs, and general health.
Our Health, Our Futures: Our Health, Our Futures is sponsored by Smith College and YWCA of Western Massachusetts. The project takes some of the major issues that teen girls have and explores them in teens' own words.
Pediatric Asthma Experience Journal: The Asthma Experience Journal is a collection of stories, pictures, and personal experiences from families about what it has been like to contend with pediatric Asthma.
TeenGrowth.com: TeenGrowth.com offers information on all aspects of teen health, from puberty to emotional health.
www.teenhealthfx.com: Explore questions other teens have asked on this interactive health site. Answers are provided by the Atlantic Health System of Northern New Jersey's Community Health Education Department and the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health at Atlantic's Children's Medical Center.
Oregon Health and Science University's Young Women's Health Page: OSHU has compiled a list of web sites for teen girls about general physical and mental health and sexuality carefully chosen by other teens.
Gynecology and Reproductive Health
Guidelines for Vulvar Skin Care: This information sheet from Drexel University College of Medicine contains guidelines for promoting vulvar health and reducing vulvar and vaginal irritation, itching, and burning.
Premature Ovarian Failure (POF): Information about POF from the National Institute of Health
Medical Tests and Surgery Preparation
What's It Like to Have Surgery?: This guide from the Nemours Foundation discusses the basics of surgery and how to prepare for it.
Menstruation
All About Menstruation: A guide to menstruation from the Nemours Foundation, on the TeensHealth section of KidsHealth.org.
The Big Moment: Getting Your First Period: An article from IEmily.com about what to expect when you get your first period.
On the Teen Scene: A Balanced Look at Menstruation: An article for teens from the FDA Consumer about menstruation and common menstrual complaints like cramps.
On the Teen Scene: TSS: Reducing the Risk: An article for teens from the FDA Consumer about understanding Toxic Shock Syndrome.
Nutrition and Fitness
Food & Fitness at TeensHealth.org: This is a list of articles from TeensHealth.org that include information on dieting, nutrition basics, exercise and fitness, eating disorders, sports, recipes, and more.
MyPyramid.gov: From the U.S. Department of Agriculture, MyPyramid helps you to customize a healthy eating plan based on your age, gender, and level of physical activity.
BAM! Body and Mind: From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, BAM! has information on a variety of health topics. Click on "Food and Nutrition" for information on how to choose healthy meals and snacks to keep your body feeling great, then click on "Physical Activity" to learn about and plan your own personalized fitness routine!
GirlsHealth.gov: From the National Women's Health Information Center, this site has lots of information especially for girls ages 10-16. Click on "Fitness" to learn why physical activity is important and to get tips on how to start your own fitness routine; click on "Nutrition" to learn all about choosing foods to fit your lifestyle and keep you healthy!
YMCA: Find the YMCA nearest you. Offers team sports, acquatics programs, and other recreational activities.
See also: Eating Disorders and Body Image
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
The International Council on Infertility Information Dissemination
http://www.inciid.org/faq/pcos.html
This well-organized site presents comprehensive but easy-to-read information on PCOS. Also check out the PCOS message board, the "PCOS Café."
The National Women's Health Information Center - 4Girls
http://www.4girls.gov/4girls.cfm?page=body/period_problems.htm
This website offers basic information about health conditions affecting girls. The PCOS information is written for girls and younger adolescents and includes links to sites.
The National Women's Health Information Center
http://www.4woman.gov/faq/pcos.htm
This government-run site offers basic information about PCOS, as well as links to other informative sites.
The Nemours Foundation: Kidshealth
http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/sexual_health/girls/pcos.html
The Kidshealth website offers information about many health-concerns for children and teens. The PCOS information is written for adolescents and explains the condition, tests, and treatments in easy-to-understand language.
The Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Association
http://www.pcosupport.org
The PCOSA is a nonprofit organization run by women with PCOS. The website offers general information about PCOS and details some of the organization's activities, including several that are specifically for teens. The organization offers PCOTeen, with message boards, chat rooms, and a mailing list specifically for adolescents. The Big Cyster program is a pen pal program that matches adolescents with older women with PCOS. Finally, Project HEART (Helping Educate And Reach Teens) is a program designed to raise PCOS awareness among adolescents.
Safety
CyberTipLine: Online harassment is not a joke; it's against the law. If someone is sending you threatening or harassing IMs or emails, report the person to CyberTipLine, or call the hotline at 1-800-843-5678. CyberTipLine is a program of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, and is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
Girls Fight Back: Girls Fight Back is a safety education company whose mission is to educate young women to avoid becoming victims of violence, and to instill self-confidence so they realize they are worth fighting for!
iSAFE: A leader in Internet safety education, for kids, teen, parents and educators. iSAFE provides you with materials and training to become aware of internet dangers, and learn how to handle them. iSAFE also offers a certification program for participants who complete the online training sessions.
Teenangels: Teenangels is a group of 13-18 year-old volunteers specially trained by the local law enforcement, and many other leading safety experts in all aspects of online safety, privacy, and security. They offer unique programs to schools to spread the word about responsible and safe surfing to other teens and younger kids, parents, and teachers. You can join and train to become a Teenangel yourself.
WiredSafety: WiredSafety provides help, information and education to Internet and mobile device users of all ages. We help victims of cyber abuse ranging from online fraud, cyberstalking and child safety, to hacking and malicious code attacks. We also help parents with issues, such as MySpace and cyberbullying.
YFly: Instead of using MySpace, Facebook, or Xanga, why not join YFly? It's a safer alternative to other online space providers. You have control over who sees your profile and you can connect to it 24/7 with your cellphone. It's an entertainment-based social network whose mission is to provide Gen Y with an excellent social platform and the most entertaining experience online.
Sexuality and Sexual Health
Advocates for Youth: "Find out what's happening in your country or WORLDWIDE among programs working to meet the reproductive and sexual health needs of youth."
Aids Action Committee Hotlines: Hotline phone numbers and email addresses for info about HIV, AIDS, hepatitis, emergency contraception, and other resources.
BAGLY: Boston Alliance of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered Youth is a local organization that sponsors programs and events for teens.
Boston Area Rape Crisis Center: The Boston Area Rape Crisis Center (BARCC) "was one of the first rape crisis centers in the United States to advocate for and support survivors of sexual assault." Their web site offers crisis information (including a handbook for surviving sexual assault), and they also have a toll-free hotline. BARCC has an adolescent program (for youth over age 12 of any gender and sexual orientation) that is free, confidential, and available in English, Spanish, Haitian/Creole and French.
The Body: An AIDS and HIV resource.
Boston HAPPENS: The Boston HAPPENS program offers HIV/AIDS education, free HIV counseling and testing services, and services for HIV+ youth.
Coalition for Positive Sexuality: A frank guide for teenages on sexuality. The site is graphic, but provides information for urban teenagers that is important. They make the disclaimer: "We chose words for this guide that we use when we talk about sex with our friends."
hiv.drugabuse.gov: This site provides information about the link between drug abuse and HIV infection. It was created specifically for young people and for parents and teachers, with links to the latest research findings and news updates from the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
It's Your (Sex) Life: This web site from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation offers honest information for teens about pregnancy and contraception, STDs and HIV, and communicating with your partner about sex and protection. It also offers emergency resources and other resources on sex and sexuality.
iwannaknow.org: Find answers to your questions about sexuality, your body, and visit the chat room. Sponsored by the American Social Health Association.
TeenPregnancy.org: A site from the National Campaing to Prevent Teen Pregnancy examining teen pregnancy and ways you can stop it.
OutProud: The National Coalition for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual & Transgender Youth's site which includes resources for teens and educators.
Project 10 East: This Greater Boston organization "builds bridges between communities and between gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and straight youth alliances, creating its model from the successes of existing school-based and community-based programs."
Scarleteen: Scarleteen offers frank sex education information for teens, including information on anatomy, sexuality, sexually transmitted infections, and more. The site's philosophy is that frank, detailed information is the best way to promote healthy, informed decision-making.
Sex,Etc.: A peer written website covering the topics of love, sex, relationships, HIV/AIDS, violence, abuse and other health-related issues.
Teen Wire: Planned Parenthood's site for teens. The site offers information about STDs, contaception, healthy decision making, and more. The site has information both in English and in Spanish.
YouthHIV.org:HIV and AIDS information, fact sheets, and peer education information.
Smoking, Alcohol, and Drugs
Cool Spot: A young-teen-friendly website with facts on underage drinking, and how to avoid alcohol. Sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism.
Get Outraged: A campaign to stop smoking. Read memorials, the ideas tobacco companies use to target teens to smoke, and explore links that can help you quit.
Tips for Youth - Tobacco: Tobacco facts and resources for teens from the US Government's Office on Smoking and Health.
Freevibe.com: Freevibe is a drug information and education campaign for teens. Learm the facts about drugs and drug abuse, speak out, or read other teens' stories about drugs and alcohol.
CeASAR (The Center for Adolescent Substance Abuse Research): CeASAR has a wealth of information for parents and teens about substance abuse, including articles, links, and resources for finding help.
STEPOnline: STEPonline offers information about drugs and alcohol, chat rooms, personal stories written by teens, an advice column, and more.
Stress
National Youth Crisis Hotline: 800-442-HOPE (800-442-4673)
YWCA & YMCA: YWCA and YMCAs provide health and social service resources to teens of all faiths, races, abilities, ages and incomes. YMCAs' strength is in the people they bring together.
YogaDirectory: A directory of information, services and products related to yoga. Click on Teachers and Training to find a yoga class near you.
Meditation: Beliefnet is a multi-faith e-community designed to help you meet your own religious and spiritual needs. This link will take you to a listing of different mediation styles and articles.
Vaginal Agenesis and MRKH
www.mrkh.org: This site is a comprehensive resource for women with MRKH, including physician listings, support group information, and more.
www.mrkh.org.uk/main.html: This site is a UK-based site with a wide variety of information and resources for comprehensive resource for women with MRKH, including news, support information, and more. There is a secure site area that women with MRKH can gain access to with proof of diagnosis. (You must contact the UK National Centre directly to apply for access to the secure area.)
mrkh-grrls: This is an online discussion group for women who have MRKH. The group describes itself as: "not only a support group, but a networking community dedicated to helping women with MRKH and raising awareness of this rare birth 'defect.'"
Ask About MRKH: This is an informative, friendly, support discussion group set up online for women with Mayer-Rokitansy-Kuster-Hauser Syndrome. This is a closed group for women with MRKH, and their mothers, and under some circumstances other family members.
Updated 2/4/2008
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