Contraceptive Pearl: Confidential Care for Teens
At every opportunity, clinicians should meet with adolescent patients alone. Routinely asking parents to leave the room for part of each visit sends an important message to teens. Adolescents speak more honestly about risky behavior and sexual activity if they are able to discuss these issues privately. This interaction encourages responsibility and independence as teens make the transition into young adulthood.
Studies have found that teenagers are much more likely to seek out STI testing, reproductive health counseling, and birth control when parents are not required to provide consent. A recent study found that 47% of sexually active teens visiting a family planning clinic would forego clinic services if their parents were notified that they were seeking birth control, and another 11% of teens reported that they would delay testing or treatment for STIs or HIV. However, virtually all of these teens (99%) reported that they would continue to have sex regardless of the availability of confidential health services. Providing confidential contraception to minors significantly increases contraception use and safety.
Unfortunately, adolescent access to confidential reproductive health care varies by state. Only 21 states and the District of Columbia explicitly allow teens to birth control without parents’ knowledge. The remaining 29 states have various types of restrictions. For instance, a teen in New York has the right to confidential contraceptive care. But if this same teen lived in Texas or Oklahoma, her parents would have to be notified that she seeks contraception. It’s important to know your state’s laws.
Whether or not you are lucky enough to practice in a state that protects teens’ confidentiality, you should spend at least part of most office visits with teens speaking privately. Teens appreciate the opportunity to meet with clinicians alone. You’ll get better information, allowing you to provide better care. Education is always legal, even when prescribing contraception isn’t.
We appreciate your feedback! Please write us at pearls@reproductiveaccess.org with any questions, comments or additional resources to add to our list.
Helpful Resources
Information on laws in your state
Minors’ Access to Contraceptive Services
Information on the debate around teen access to confidentiality
Non-Prescription Birth Control Methods
Sources
Pharma-free
The Reproductive Health Access Project does not accept funding from pharmaceutical companies. We do not promote specific brands of medication or contraception. The information in the Contraceptive Pearls is unbiased, based on science alone.
