Need Birth Control?
Let’s talk about birth control. If you’re sexually active, even if you had have sex only once, you are at risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection or becoming pregnant. At Jane’s Due Process we provide legal help to pregnant minors in Texas, and the two most common reasons that our clients became pregnant are that they thought they needed parental consent to get birth control or that birth control was too expensive.
The good news is that, even as a minor, you have the power to protect yourself. While abstaining from sex is the best way to avoid pregnancy, there are several options available to prevent an unwanted pregnancy and they may be easier to access than you thought.
Which kind is best for me?
There are tons of different methods of birth control. So many, in fact, that it can be a little overwhelming! Not all birth control methods will be right for you; everyone is different. The most common, accessible and easiest to use are oral contraceptive (the pill), long acting reversible contraception (IUDs or implants), or condoms.
The pill, if used correctly, reduces your risk of pregnancy to less than 1%, while condoms reduces risk to about 2%. IUD’s are a form of long acting reversible contraception and are the most effective method of birth control, reducing risk of pregnancy to .01%. For more information on birth control options visit Planned Parenthood’s website, here.
Where do I get birth control?
Anyone can buy condoms! You don’t have to be 18, and they wont ask you for ID. If you can, talk to your parents about birth control. If you’re interested in trying the pill, they can help you make an appointment with your doctor.
What if my parents won’t let me or I can’t talk to my parents?
Many states allow minors to access oral contraceptives without parental consent, however the laws are different everywhere. Click here to see a list of all states and their policies on adolescent contraceptive services.
In Texas, a woman under 18 can get the pill without consent from a parent at some clinics. Clinics funded by a special national program are called Title X clinics. In Texas, these clinics are required by law to provide young women under 18 birth control without parental notification. That means you can call one of these clinics by yourself and make an appointment without a parent being present or notified. Click here for a list of these clinics in Texas.
What if I can’t afford it?
The same Title X clinics that can provide services without parental consent also offer free or low-cost services to low-income patients. If you don’t have health insurance and/or your family has a very low income they will work with you to help get you the services you need. You can find a list of all Title X clinics in the state of Texas here.
If you are a minor in Texas and are currently pregnant click here for information about your legal rights and options, or call Jane’s Due Process’s toll-free legal hotline at 1-866-999-5263.
