Questions

A: You don’t need to show ID or have a prescription to buy condoms. You get them for free at some local clinics or you can buy them at stores like Walmart, Target, and most drugstores.

A: The best thing is to be informed and stay in control. It's true that any medication you take can have potential side effects. Compare your options, talk to your doctor, and find a method that you feel comfortable with.

A: Absolutely! Sex isn’t a requirement for birth control. Be prepared and in control. 

A: You shouldn’t have a problem using a tampon with an IUD because they each are in a different part of your reproductive system and are separated by your cervix, so they shouldn’t interfere with each other. Just be careful to never pull on the strings of your IUD—and if anything feels off, ask your healthcare provider about it. 

A: There’s no one “right” option for everyone. Take a look at our birth control comparison tool and see which option you’re most interested. 

A: Well, it depends. If you get a non-hormonal IUD, you’re protected as soon as you get it. If you get the implant during the first five days of your period or the hormonal IUD seven days after your period starts, then you’re protected immediately. If you get it any other time, be sure to use a backup method for the first 7 days after you get it inserted.

A: Absolutely! Being abstinent just means you’ve made the decision to not have sex. It’s something you can decide for yourself. Any day. Any time. Plus it’s the only 100% effective way to make sure you don’t get pregnant or get an STI. 

A:
Definitely! They’re designed to work for years, but if you aren’t happy with your choice of birth control your health care professional can remove it at any time. You can get pregnant as soon as it’s removed, so make sure you talk to your doctor about what type of birth control might work better for you.

A: Most teen-friendly health centers offer it to teens and a lot of the time they can give them to you for free or at a low cost. You can find a teen-friendly health center using our health center locator.

A: Maybe a little. Your doctor will numb your arm before she inserts the implant, so you shouldn’t feel too much when she’s implanting it. Some women do have pain in their arm after they get the implant, but that doesn’t happen to everyone. Ask your doctor what you can expect. 

A: Yes—if you’re 16. In South Carolina you can get a prescription for birth control without your parents’ permission if you’re 16 or older or if you’re married. You can find a teen-friendly health center using our locator. If you’re still nervous, be sure to ask what the health center will keep private when you’re making your appointment. 

A: Probably not. It’s such a common concern that doctors have spent a lot of time researching whether or not it’s true. They’ve found over and over again that the pill doesn’t make you gain weight. Since every person is different you might know friends who gained weight when they were on the pill, but that doesn’t mean it will happen to you. If you’re worried that the pill is making you gain weight, talk to your doctor. She might be able to find you a different option that you’re more comfortable with. 

A: Yes! It’s actually one of the best methods out there for teens because it’s so easy to use. After your doctor inserts it, you’re covered for 3-12 years. No pills to remember. No prescriptions to fill. You can just do you.

Learn more about the different types of low-maintenance birth control on our comparison tool and then visit a health center to get it. 

A: Take a deep breath and just come out and say it. You should always feel comfortable saying no to sex. If someone’s pressuring you to do something you’re not okay with, that’s not a healthy relationship. If you’re feeling nervous about having to say it in the moment, try having a conversation about what you’re ready for before things go too far. 

A: Not quite. It typically takes between 48 hours and 5 days depending on what type of pill you’re using. Be sure to check with your doctor about your specific type of pill. 

A: It’s always a good idea to use condoms and another form of birth control! Condoms are 98 percent effective if you use them the right way and if you use them every time you have sex. They protect against sexually transmitted diseases as well as pregnancy.

BUT a condom can break, so it is a good idea to have a backup form of birth control, like the pill. 

Learn more about your birth control options. 

A: Every guy may have his own reason for not wanting to use a condom. However, when having sex, the decision to not use condoms should be agreed upon by both people.If one person refuses, then sexual intercourse should not occur. Remember, unprotected sex can put you at risk for pregnancy, STDs and even HIV/AIDS.

Learn how to talk to your partner. 

A: There are a couple of different ways. Some, like gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and HIV/AIDS, are spread through bodily fluids, including vaginal secretions, semen, or blood. Others, like herpes or genital warts can be spread through skin-on-skin contact with an infected sore. 

Using a latex condom every single time you have sex will help protect you and your partner from STDs and STIs. And if you are sexually active, don’t forget to get tested often! 

Learn more about safe sex and STIs

A: Definitely not! Getting tested is a great idea for both of you—even if you plan on using condoms. Before they have a chance to flip out, talk with him or her about why you want the tests. Since you can get an STI from skin-to-skin-contact, vaginal fluid, and pre-cum, that means you can get an STI even if you’ve never had sex. 

A:There’s no checklist to tell you when the right time is—it’s different for everyone. Ask yourself if you’re emotionally and mentally ready to have sex. It’s also important to have a conversation with your partner about taking that step or waiting and about using birth control and condoms if you do decide to take that step. 

Learn more about love, sex, and relationships. 

A: Definitely not. Condoms come in a lot of different sizes and they can all stretch pretty far. 

A: Some people are allergic to latex, which is what a lot of condoms are made out of. Lots of major condom brands make a latex-free version and you can find them the same places you find latex condoms.

A: You can get pregnant every time you have sex. That's why you should use both birth control and a condom every time you have sex. 

A: Even if you don’t have symptoms now, an STI can give you problems when you’re older, like a lot of pain in your pelvis or you might not be able to have a baby when you’re ready. Did you know that most people with HIV don’t have any symptoms until 10 years after they got the infection? You can pass on an STI and even though you don’t have symptoms, your partner might. The best thing to do if you think you have an STI is to go to your doctor. 

A: Definitely not. Lots of people wait until they’re married or in a long-term relationship before they have sex. Some people do it for religious reasons, some for personal reasons, and for some it’s a family value. Let your partner know why waiting is important to you. Remember, if your partner respects you, he or she won’t pressure you to do anything you’re uncomfortable with.  

A: Don't panic. The first thing you can do is take an over the counter pregnancy test. You can get those at stores like Walmart or Target. If you still think you’re pregnant after taking the test, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor to find out for sure. If you don’t have a doctor, you can go to a teen-friendly health center.

If your doctor tells you you’re pregnant, the next step is to tell your parents—or another adult you trust—and your partner. Get tips on how to tell your parents. 

A: When it comes to birth control, everyone’s a little different. It doesn’t matter what method your friends, sister, or mom uses. What’s important is what works for you. Think about you and your lifestyle when you’re choosing a method. Are you too forgetful to remember to take a pill? Are you trying to keep from getting pregnant for up to ten years? Look through our birth control comparison tool to find a method that appeals to you. From there, schedule an appointment with your regular doctor or at a teen-friendly clinic to talk to a doctor about the pros and cons of the methods you’re interested in.

A: Try talking about using condoms before you have sex. That way you’re not talking about it in the heat of the moment. Explain why it’s important to use condoms to help prevent STDs and unplanned pregnancy. Let your partner know that it’s not that you don’t trust him, you’re just trying to protect both of you.

A: You can buy condoms for a low cost at most gas stations, convenience stores and stores like Target and Walmart. You don’t have to be a certain age to buy them and you don’t have to show an ID. 

A: There’s no right age to start having sex. It’s a really personal decision and one you have to make for yourself.

The most important thing is to make sure you—and your partner—are emotionally ready to take that step and that you use birth control and condoms to protect yourself from unplanned pregnancy and STDs.