Someone asked us:

If I go in to get birth control or something and I’m under 18, do you tell my parents/guardians?

Planned Parenthood’s policy is to protect patient confidentiality as much as state law allows. Most health care providers keep their clients’ information confidential, but specific laws about what health care providers have to tell a minor’s parents can vary from state to state.

In general, you don’t need a parent’s permission to get a prescription for birth control. But for one reason or another, there might be certain situations where you do need a parent’s permission. So we can’t tell you exactly what the situation will be at your local Planned Parenthood health center. But we can tell you with 100% certainty that:

1. You can contact your local Planned Parenthood health center to ask about their specific policy before you go.
2. You can always get condoms without a parent’s permission, at a health center or most drug stores and grocery stores.

But just because you may not need to talk to your parents about getting birth control, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. The very idea of talking about sex with your parents might make you cringe, but the chances are actually really good that it’ll be worthwhile — they can help you make the best sexual health decisions, and might be able to offer some great advice, too. October is Let’s Talk Month, which can be a great excuse to bring up the conversation and test the waters. Learn more about how to talk to your parents about sex.

- Alex at Planned Parenthood