Teens’ Misconceptions About Conception

Regarding “Rethinking Reliability of Fertility Cycles” (Nov. 20): In this very brief article, it was reported that researchers from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences say the notion that women are fertile for about seven days a month may be wrong. In fact, the researchers found, there is hardly a day within the menstrual cycle during which some women are not potentially fertile.

The average teenager is sexually active for 12 months before he/she begins to think about birth control. From what teens tell us, the “fertile days of the month” is just one of the many misconceptions they have about how to protect themselves. Is there any doubt that honest discussions about sex, at home and in school, are absolutely necessary to reduce teen pregnancy?

--NANCY L. SASAKI

President and chief executive

Planned Parenthood L.A.