Information for Teens

Teens are always welcome at Planned Parenthood. 

The frequently asked questions (FAQs) below can help you prepare for your visit. You can also find information on sex, relationships, your body, and other topics here on our website, or by making an appointment or stopping by a health center. 

FAQs 

When can teens come to PPAU’s health centers? 

Teens are always welcome at any of our health centers. You can call your local health center to schedule an appointment. 

Will my parents need to know I visited Planned parenthood? 

Our health centers provide confidential services, so your parents do not have to know that you came. Please note that we do encourage parent-teen communication, and we can help facilitate those conversations if needed. In some cases, we are required by law to report certain issues or situations to agencies that can help you. 

How much will it cost? How can I pay for it? 

If you’re uninsured, you may qualify for our sliding-fee scale based on your household income and family size. No one will be denied access to services due to inability to pay. 

If you're covered by private insurance, you may use your insurance to help pay for the visit. If you are covered under another person's health plan—like your parent's or spouse's—you have the right to keep your insurance claim confidential by calling your insurance.  

What are my privacy rights? 

We encourage teens to discuss their health care concerns with their parents or other trusted adults. But teens must give us their own consent for medical services. You are guaranteed that the conversation will remain private if you talk to us about personal issues, such as:  

• Use of alcohol, cigarettes, tobacco, or drugs 

• School or family issues 

• Sex and sexuality issues 

For your safety, some things cannot stay confidential. By law, we must contact someone for help if you say you are:  

• Being sexually and/or physically abused or threatened  

• Going to hurt yourself or someone else 

• Sexually active and 13 years old or younger 

• Sexually active and 14 or 15 years old and a partner is more than 2 years older  

• Sexually active and 16 or 17 years old and a partner is 10+ years older 

If you have any questions about your privacy rights, you can ask any Planned Parenthood staff member. We are here to help. 

What can I expect during my visit? 

If you are a new patient, you will have forms to fill out (such as a health history, consent for services, etc.) on your first visit. Staff members can help you fill out these forms if you need help. You may be asked to provide a urine sample in case we need to run tests (such as for pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections).  

Once you are registered in our system, you’ll be shown to a patient room.  A clinical assistant will get your vital signs (height, weight, blood pressure) and ask some basic questions, such as the reason for the visit. 

Depending on the services you want/need, you may see a registered nurse or a nurse practitioner or a clinical assistant.  If you are having symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection, such as unusual discharge, pelvic pain, pain with urination, etc., you will likely need an exam by a nurse practitioner.