Although birth rates among young people have declined over the years, STI rates are soaring. According to the CDC, adolescents ages 15-24 account for nearly half of the 20 million new cases of STDs each year. Several factors may contribute to this rise, but it is important to note that when people begin a contraceptive method, it may decrease their use of condoms.

That’s why it’s important that sex educators talk to young people about dual protection, which is the use of more than one method of contraception concurrently, providing protection from both STIs and pregnancy.