What a great question! Teen Clinic offers free, confidential care to everyone under 20, whether male, female, or intersex.

On a walk-in basis, males can get tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea, access our free monthly HIV testing, or pick up Plan B for a female partner. Males should make an appointment if they are experiencing the symptoms of an infection or if they want to receive Gardasil (the HPV vaccine). And, of course, males are always welcome to stop by Teen Clinic to grab a handful of condoms!  Teen Clinic can also be a resource for questions about sexuality, how to use a condom, or talking to your parents about sex.

We often think of females when we think of sexual health, but birth control and STI-related services are just as important for males!  Thanks for taking the initiative to take care of your health, and spread the word!

Gardasil is most effective at preventing high-risk strains of HPV when all three doses are administered before a person becomes sexually active.  However, The Center for Disease Control does recommend Gardasil to sexually active people who have not already been infected with a strain of HPV the vaccine protects against.  The FDA has approved Gardasil for females ages 13-26 and males ages 9-26.

To decide if Gardasil is right for you, see your healthcare provider. For more information about the HPV vaccine, see the CDC’s fact sheet.

…When I first pee in the morning it gives me a burning sensation; throughout the rest of the day it’s just a little tingly sensation. I have taken the HPV vaccines. What should I be worried about? Do you think this could be genital warts?

The best way to know is to see your health care provider. You can make an appointment at Teen Clinic for a check-up by calling 303.442.5160. Since you have unusual lesions and pain with urination, it’s very important to get checked out soon! Until you are able to see a health care provider, abstain from sexual activity.

The HPV vaccine provides great protection against four strains of the virus; types 6, 11, 16, 18. These strains account for 70% of cervical cancer cases and 90% of genital warts. However, there are around 30 other strains of genital HPV. Even though you received the vaccine, there is still chance you can transmit HPV.

Yes! Teen Clinic offers Gardasil, the HPV vaccine, for men and women. HPV is a sexually transmitted infection that can cause genital warts and cancers in the throat, anus and genitals – especially on the cervix. Gardasil is given in a series of three shots. Gardasil covers HPV types 6,11,16,18 — the strains of HPV which account for about 70% of cervical cancer cases and 90% of genital warts.

Many insurance companies will cover the vaccine. Teen Clinic will waive your co-pay if you choose to use insurance. If you don’t have insurance, you can get the vaccine free of charge at Teen Clinic. Two things to keep in mind:

• If you are under 18, you need a parent/guardian signature. Note that this is the only service at Teen Clinic that requires a signature or notification.
• If you are 19, you will need to apply to special program for patient assistance – basically just some paperwork before hand.

To schedule an appointment for Gardasil, call 303.442.5160

…And can I come in by myself?

Yes!  In Colorado, law states that minors can access STI-related services without parental notification or consent.  You don’t need a parent or guardian’s permission to get tested or treated.  The law also requires that we keep all our patients’ health information private and confidential, regardless of age.  Any care you receive at Teen Clinic cannot be shared with anyone, even your parents.

The only time we have to break confidentiality is if a patient under 18 reports an incident of sexual assault or abuse.  In these cases we are mandatory reporters (just like your teachers and counselors).  If we have to report, we can provide support and care throughout the process.  Additionally, there’s one appointment at Teen Clinic that requires a parent’s signature. If you’re under 18 and you want to receive the Gardasil shot, your guardian will need to sign a consent form. This vaccination protects against the sexually transmitted infection HPV.

Some patients bring a friend, parent, or partner along for support, but you’re welcome to come in alone. It’s your health! Teen Clinic is here to help you stay healthy, no matter how you prefer to receive your care.

GARDASIL, the vaccine preventing HPV, only prevents the transmission of four strains of HPV: 6, 11, 16, 18. These four strains account for about 70% of cervical cancer cases and 90% of genital warts. While that’s great protection, there are approximately 40 strains of sexually transmitted HPV. So the answer is yes, you are still at risk for contracting HPV from your boyfriend because you don’t know which strain he carries. For more information on the HPV vaccine, check out our FAQs. The HPV vaccine is now available to males too! If you boyfriend is interested, he can get the HPV vaccine at Teen Clinic.

Boys ages 9 – 18 are able to receive GARDASIL, the vaccine against HPV, for free at the TEen Clinic in Boulder. To read more about the FDA’s decision to give GARDASIL to boys, check out this article. To schedule an appointment at Teen Clinic, click here.

A new drug called Cervarix, which has been shown to be effective at preventing cervical cancer in teens and women up to age 25, is up for the FDA’s consideration. This new drug is not only effective against those two HPV strains, but it also claims to enhance the immune system’s response againsnt those HPV strains.

From WebMD 9/8/2009

The FDA has issued a statement declaring that Gardasil, the vaccine used to prevent HPV, is effective at stopping virus strains that cause genital warts in men 90% of the time. Merck has asked the FDA to approve the vaccine for boys and men 9-26 years old.

From The Baltimore Sun 9/5/2009