Log in to view full text. If you're not a subscriber, you can:. Colleague's E-mail is Invalid. Your message has been successfully sent to your colleague. Save my selection. Feldmann, Jennifer ; Middleman, Amy B.

Objectives : To examine physiological influences of adolescent sexual behaviour, including associated psychosocial factors. Methods : Systematic review. Results : Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria relating to adolescents, physiology and sexual behaviour. We excluded studies relating to abnormal development. Findings highlighted hormonal and gender differences. Females appear to be more influenced by psychosocial aspects, including the effects of peers, than males. Males may be more inclined to engage in unprotected sex with a greater number of partners.

Many young people engage in sexual risk behaviors and experiences that can result in unintended health outcomes. Half of the 20 million new STDs reported each year were among young people aged 15 to 24 3. Nearly , babies were born to teen girls aged 15—19 years in

Curiosity surrounding sexuality is "normal" in the process of development. Beginning with exploration of the body, an infant or toddler will proceed on to questions such as "Where do baby's come from? These curiosities serve as the foundation for further exploration as the body matures, sexual feelings arise and interest in sexuality is acquired. Fortunately for most, this aspect of development matures with desires, passions and behaviors organized by principles, values and social expectations into appropriate sexual behaviors. There are some, however, whose behavior exceeds the "norm" and extends sufficiently outside the realm of social mores as to draw the attention of state, clinical or legal entities.