Let's face it, life can get way more complex when you're a teen. On top of all of the emotional and physical changes people go through, there are more choices and decisions to make, and more stresses from school, sports, jobs, family, and even friends.

So who can you talk to about your physical and emotional concerns? When you don't want to go to friends or parents, your doctor can be a great resource.

Why Do I Need to Talk With My Doctor?
When you were younger, your parents may have taken care of things like scheduling your doctors' appointments, getting your prescriptions, and making sure you took your medicine. If you had a pain or a worry, your parents were the ones to take care of it. But now that you're getting older, you may want - or be expected - to take on more responsibility for your health. It's all part of becoming an adult and taking charge.

As you get older, the issues you face can get more complicated and personal. Health issues that might have been simpler before now can include concerns about things such as sexual development, emotions, or weight problems. It's important to find someone to talk to who is both knowledgeable and someone you can trust.

Many teens are comfortable talking with their parents about almost any topic, at any time. But let's face it - not everyone is. Some teens - even though they have a fairly open relationship with their parents - just aren't comfortable talking about certain topics with their mother or father. What are they supposed to do?

Of course, they can always ask a friend - or go to the Internet. Sometimes, those places can be a good start. But friends might not really know the answers you're looking for - and not every website is accurate or up to date.

That's where your doctor or nurse can help out.

Doctors and nurses are trained to help you with your health and emotional concerns. You can talk with them, they can ask you questions, and they can check out what worries you. That's what they do.

Even if you feel embarrassed at first about raising personal subjects (like physical development or sexual health), it's helpful to know that doctors deal with those concerns - and all sorts of things - every day. And sometimes ignoring the risks of not talking to your doctor can outweigh the few moments of discomfort you may feel in raising sensitive health concerns.

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