Teen Relationships and Sexuality: What Every Young Person Needs To Know

Discovering love and sexuality can be confusing for young people, with expectations and reality not always matching up. That’s why the Monaco Screening Centre has created a 70-page guide for 12- to 18-year-olds and their parents. The aim is to provide clear information, practical advice, and useful contacts in the Principality. MonacoSanté has the lowdown with everything you need to know.

Personal choice, respect, and consent

The comprehensive booklet gives answers to common questions raised by young people aged 12 to 18, covering themes including relationships, the human body, sexual activity, and the risks of sexually transmitted infections. Written by doctor and HIV specialist Henri Vinti in collaboration with Marina Tcholakian, a nurse at Monaco Screening Centre (CMDAG), the 70-page booklet entitled “Teen Questions - Relationships and Sexuality” is a valuable guide designed to help young people stay healthy. It contains a list of useful contacts in Monaco where teenagers and their parents can get access to information. The booklet aims to provide answers to all of the questions that a young person might have, whether or not they are already sexually active. Topics covered include intimate hygiene and personal care, bodily functions, sexuality, consent, along with methods of contraception and the risks associated with sexually transmitted infections. “We felt it was important to explain to girls and boys how their bodies work. We chose to focus on ideas like having respect for yourself and your partners, and the concept of consent. There is also a strong emphasis on respect for every individual’s development and personal choices. By year 10, which is the main target audience, some young people are already sexually active, others not at all. Nobody should ever feel pressured into anything when it comes to sex,” insists Marina Tcholakian.

School outreach in partnership with Action Innocence

“Consent is extremely important, which is why we’re talking about it more and more. We explain that non-verbal communication matters just as much as saying yes or no. If a boy is being a little insistent, a girl might not necessarily say ‘no’, but if she freezes up or becomes tense, that may be a sign she hasn’t given her consent,” adds Dr Henri Vinti. Throughout the 2025-2026 academic year, Monaco Screening Centre is teaming up with local non-profit Action Innocence to talk to year 10 pupils at the secondary schools Collège Charles III and FANB. “Little by little, we cover all the key issues. We start by explaining what happens in our bodies, or how the genitals work. Everyone is different. Some start puberty at 12, others at 15. From there, we move on to sexuality, always with a strong prevention message,” emphasises Dr Vinti. The initiative also aims to tell young people about Monaco Screening Centre and encourage them to visit the centre for information or support if they need it. Currently, between 5 and 10% of the Centre’s patients are aged under 18.

Providing reliable information

“Our priority is to help young people understand sexual health risks, so they can make safer choices. We don’t just do blood tests. We offer screening, advice and information. Patients can talk to us in confidence. Our centre is a trusted resource for people of all ages,” explains Marina Tcholakian. It’s an approach shared by Dr Henri Vinti. He believes that prevention messages can’t be delivered all at once. “It’s a gradual process, like going door to door. Every year, we visit secondary schools and aim to get the right messages across to hundreds of pupils. We remind them about respect, consent, sexual health risks, and why using condoms matters when you don’t know your partner. And of course, we stress the importance of getting tested.” In 2025, one of the main challenges is to ensure young people get reliable information. “The reality is that teenagers are full of questions about their bodies. If they don’t get answers from people they trust, they’ll look elsewhere. But while they have access to vast amounts of information, it’s not always accurate. On social media, for example, we’re seeing that when adults avoid talking about sex, influencers often fill the gap, sometimes spreading harmful or misleading information,” says a concerned Dr Vinti.

Free and anonymous testing

Dr Vinti points out that Monaco Screening Centre offers a free, anonymous, and personalised service. Young people under 18 can attend alone or with someone they trust. No parental consent is required. “Some are nervous about coming in by themselves. So there’s absolutely no problem if they come with their mum, older sister, or someone else. But for the pre-test consultation, they’ll need to be seen alone as that part is completely confidential,” explains Marina Tcholakian. The Screening Centre does not aim to diagnose conditions or provide treatment. “We carry out blood or urine tests, and share the results with the patient. Then, depending on their wishes, we refer them to a general practitioner, a gynaecologist, or a specialist to ensure they get the care they need,” adds Dr Henri Vinti. Blood tests are carried out to screen for HIV, hepatitis B and C, and syphilis. Since January 2025, the Screening Centre has also offered PCR urine tests to screen for chlamydia and gonorrhoea. The results arrive within 24 to 48 hours. The Centre currently has some 700 patients registered. “The ratio is 60% men and 40% women. Two-thirds of patients come from outside Monaco. The profile is broadly the same for under-18s,” says Dr Vinti. Members of the public can drop by Monaco Screening Centre to collect a copy of the booklet about teen sexuality. The booklets will also be handed out to year 10 pupils and school nurses. Meanwhile, awareness campaigns are run during the summer period, to remind people about the essential messages on prevention and screening, with Fight Aids Monaco: https://www.monacosante.mc/fr/actualites-sante/actualite/campagnes-de-sensibilisation/sexualite-ete-depistage-vih-ist-prevention

Practical information:

Opening times: Mondays and Thursdays, 8 am to 6 pm / Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 8 am to 5 pm

No appointment is necessary.

Free and confidential.

Contact details:

Monaco Screening Centre (CMDAG) Princess Grace Hospital Pavillon Louis II (level -01)

Tel: 00 377 97 98 84 12