Texas requires that young people under the age of 18 obtain parental consent to access birth control. However, 
young people under the age of 18 can access emergency contraception (Plan B) and condoms without parental consent.
If you would like to learn more about birth control for teens in Texas, check out some of the frequently asked questions below. If you’d like to talk anonymously with a person who can provide you with more information, answer your specific questions about birth control or abortion, provide emotional support through experiences like taking a pregnancy test, or provide you with guidance on how to overcome barriers like living far from a Title X provider, please text us at 866-999-5263. Our text hotline is open from 8 am to 11 pm CST, your text is completely anonymous, and there will be a live person on the other end responding to your questions and concerns. Volunteers on our text line can also provide you with information about accessing abortion, STI testing, and other reproductive health concerns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you get birth control in Texas if you are under 18?
If you’re under 18, you need permission from your parent to get prescription birth control, including the daily oral birth control pill, IUD, implant, and shot However, if you are a minor currently on Medicaid, you can get birth control at any clinic in Texas that accepts Medicaid without parental consent. Teens under 18 can get non-prescription emergency contraception (Plan B) without parental permission. If you use a prescriptive birth control method or over-the-counter emergency contraception, also use a condom. Only condoms can prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Can Texas teens get the morning-after pill (Plan B) without telling their parents?
Yes. While Texas requires that teens under 18 get parental permission to access prescription birth control (daily birth control pills and long-acting reversible contraceptives like IUDs or the implant), anyone can get emergency contraception (also known as Plan B or the Morning-After pill), no matter how old you are. Plan B is available over the counter at most drugstores. Even your partner or a friend can buy emergency contraceptive pills for you. It can cost anywhere from $25-$50. For lower-cost emergency contraception, you can visit a Planned Parenthood or Title X clinic. If you’re a teen in Texas, find out how to get free emergency contraception from various organizations (including Jane’s Due Process) here.
If you have unprotected sex, taking emergency contraception within 120 hours (5 days) makes it MUCH less likely that you will get pregnant. The sooner you take the pill, the more effective it will be (it is significantly more effective in the first 72 hours (3 days). Depending on the type you choose to take, you will either take a single pill or two pills 12 hours apart.
If you are over 165 pounds, emergency contraception may be less reliable for you. You can take a double dose of Plan B to improve effectiveness if you are over 165 pounds.
You can also order emergency contraception online from certain approved retailers – but they don’t offer expedited shipping, so that’s just for stocking up ahead of time!
The morning-after pill is NOT the same as the abortion pill, which must be purchased and taken at a licensed abortion facility in a state where abortion is legal, and is effective until 10 weeks of pregnancy.
Where can I learn more about birth control?
If you’d like to ask questions about birth control, you can text us Monday through Friday between 8 am and 11 pm CT at 866-999-5263. It’s completely anonymous and confidential. If you have questions about sexual health or relationships, check out SEX TALKS. You can also check out these websites to find out more information about birth control options and sexual health:
- Teen Talk from Power to Decide: Learn more about STIs, dating abuse, teen pregnancy, and more.
- Scarleteen: Information for teens about sexual health, birth control, healthy relationships, and more.
- Bedsider: Learn more about different birth control methods, as well as sexual health.
If you’re a teen in Texas experiencing unwanted pregnancy and would like to discuss your options, including abortion, call Jane’s Due Process at 866-999-5263. If you decide that abortion is the right choice for you, we can provide funding and travel support for young people in Texas seeking abortion care in states where it is legal.
