In Colorado, the law states that minors can access reproductive health care services without parental notification or consent. That means it’s legal for you to take a pregnancy test, start a birth control method, or get tested for STIs without your parents knowing or agreeing to it.

However, we do not perform blood pregnancy tests at Teen Clinic. Here’s why: urine pregnancy tests and blood pregnancy tests are both looking for the hormone HCG (human chorionic gonadotrophin).  A urine pregnancy tests measures whether or not the hormone is present. A blood pregnancy test, on the other hand, measures how much of the hormone is present. Because of this, blood pregnancy tests are more expensive. They are used to estimate how pregnant someone is.

Because Teen Clinic does not offer obstetric care, we do not offer pregnancy tests that determine how pregnant someone is—only whether or not they are.  If you are pregnant, we do offer free options counseling.  Patients who decide to continue their pregnancies will be referred to another doctor who offers pre-natal services.

Thanks for asking a great question! Feel free to walk in at Teen Clinic any day we’re open for a free urine pregnancy test.

…but he didnt ejaculate in me. Is there a high possibility I am pregnant?

In order for hormonal birth control pills to work correctly, we recommend that patients take them within the same hour every day.  According to these instructions, you are taking your pills the right way.  Good work! Continue to aim for the same time every day to keep your birth control as effective as possible.

It’s impossible to tell if someone is pregnant over the internet. If you are concerned, take a pregnancy test ten days after the unprotected sex. (This is the earliest the test would be effective.) Even though pills are more than 99% effective when used perfectly, we recommend continuing to use condoms 100% as well. Condoms prevent infection and can serve as a backup pregnancy prevention method—so you never have to worry! 

Visit Teen Clinic to learn more about your pills, pick up free condoms, or take a free pregnancy test.

Condoms can be a great method of birth control when used correctly. They’re cheap, easy to find, and can prevent the transmission of some STIs. However, it’s important to realize that condoms—like any birth control method—aren’t 100% effective.

When used correctly, they can be up to 98% effective. With typical use, however, condoms are only 82% effective.  That’s because many people aren’t using them correctly.  While it’s possible your brother’s condom failed for manufacturing reasons, it’s also possible he forgot to check the expiration date, used two at once, or chose the wrong kind of lubricant.  Many of the reasons condoms fail aren’t intuitive—so a person who has taught himself to use a condom might not know some of the things to avoid.

In some school districts, health classes are a safe place to learn to use a condom correctly. Don’t hesitate to ask your teacher (or a visiting sexual health educator) to explain the process in detail. If your school has different educational standards or you don’t feel comfortable, consider visiting Teen Clinic. One of our health professionals can work with you one-on-one to make sure you know everything you need to. You can also check out this website if you are looking for an anonymous way to check your facts.

When it comes to pregnancy prevention, it’s a great idea to combine methods.  Using a hormonal birth control method and condoms gives you a back-up in case something goes wrong.  Teen Clinic offers free birth control to anyone under 20, so make sure your sexually active friends know it’s a good idea to make an appointment and choose a reliable method.

It’s smart that you’re looking to learn from your brother’s experience! Thanks for asking this great question.

…Three days after the abortion, I started on the pill. I take it every day but not at the same time. Sometimes I forget but take it a couple of hours late.  I had unprotected sex two weeks after the abortion.  Is there any way I could have gotten pregnant?

During pregnancy, the body produces high levels of human gonadotropic hormone, or HCG.  Urine pregnancy tests work by measuring whether or not HCG is present.  Because HCG levels rise quickly at the beginning of a pregnancy, HCG can still be present in the blood and urine for up to six weeks after a miscarriage or abortion procedure. This can cause a false positive on pregnancy tests.

However, if you’re not ready to be pregnant, it’s important that you take your pill within the same hour every day. Taking your pill late makes it less effective at preventing pregnancy! If you’re having trouble remembering to take your pill, consider other birth control options, like the patch, the ring, the shot, Implanon, or IUDs, which don’t require you to remember quite as often (or at all!).

And consider wearing condoms 100% even though you’re on a hormonal birth control method. Condoms can help prevent infection; they also serve as a great back-up birth control. (Check out this great question from the archives: “Can you still get pregnant on birth control?”)  Visit Teen Clinic if you want to talk with a practitioner about how you can best prevent unintended pregnancy.

For most females, the first sign of pregnancy is a missed period.  Since periods can be late for lots of reasons (like recent illness, trauma, Plan B, or stress), it’s important to take a pregnancy test to be sure.  Other signs of pregnancy can include nausea, extreme fatigue, spotting, and nipple or breast tenderness; however, not everyone experiences these symptoms, and they are common signs of other conditions.

If you think you’re pregnant, it’s healthy to find out for sure. Walk in to Teen Clinic any time we’re open for a free, confidential pregnancy test. We offer unbiased options counseling if your test comes back positive.  Pregnancy tests are accurate about ten days after unprotected sex, so you may need to wait if the situation occurred recently.

…although we were not actually engaging in intercourse. What is this and is there a risk for pregnancy?

Great question!  The substance you’re referring to is called pre-ejaculate (also known as pre-cum). Pre-ejaculate is a clear, sticky fluid often released by the penis between arousal and ejaculation.  Some penises release little to no pre-ejaculate; others may release quite a bit.  Doctors believe the purpose of pre-ejaculate is to make the urethra and the vagina less acidic, allowing sperm to survive longer.

Although pre-ejaculate does not contain sperm when it is produced, it can pick up leftover sperm in the urethra. This means that pre-ejaculate can contain sperm when it leaves the body, creating a risk for pregnancy.  Pre-ejaculate can also transmit STIs. If you do decide to have intercourse, be sure to use condoms consistently, correctly, and every time. If you decide to abstain from intercourse, pregnancy is not a risk unless semen or pre-ejaculate actually touches the vagina.

Unfortunately, it’s impossible to know over the internet whether or not you’re pregnant. The best way to know is to take a test. Teen Clinic offers free, confidential pregnancy tests on a walk-in basis anytime we’re open! You can also purchase pregnancy tests at local pharmacies and grocery stores to use at home.

Many patients experience light or irregular periods after their Implanon insertions, and some don’t get a period at all. By using Implanon, you’re more than 99% protected from pregnancy.  It is extremely rare for pregnancy to occur during Implanon use, but it still may be worth taking the test. Over time, you’ll get used to the way Implanon affects your period, and you may feel more confident that you’re not pregnant.

However, we do not recommend having unprotected sex. Implanon and other hormonal birth control methods do not prevent against sexually transmitted infections. Using condoms every time will help keep you safe and healthy. Even if you’re in a trusted relationship, try to stay in the habit of using them just in case. It’s your health!

…We used a condom but after we had sex I started getting headaches and started feeling nauseous in the morning and afternoon. He doesn’t think I am pregnant but I’m worried that I am.  It’s been about a week now or so. Can you help?

You’ve come to the right place! At Teen Clinic, you can walk in anytime we’re open for a pregnancy test. Pregnancy tests are accurate about ten days after unprotected sex, so you may need to wait a few days before you come in. However, it’s a great idea to take one—worrying about pregnancy can affect your health, causing a late period or even feelings of sickness.

If you’re not pregnant, you may want to start a hormonal birth control method while you’re at the clinic. Condoms can be up to 98% effective when used correctly, but combining condoms with a hormonal method is an even better way to prevent unintended pregnancy. (Make sure you’re using condoms correctly here.)

If you continue to feel anxious about sex and pregnancy, consider talking to a trusted adult. You’re welcome to visit Teen Clinic for support from our unbiased, compassionate professionals; just walk in any time we’re open.

…Then after she decided to get on birth control and she got the ring. Six days later we had sex again with a condom with spermicide in it and the condom broke. (I did not ejaculate but it still broke). I am really worried about this and I was wondering if you could give me an idea if she is pregnant or not.

First of all, good for you! You’re doing all the right things to make sure your girlfriend doesn’t get pregnant—supporting her in choosing a reliable birth control method, using condoms, and asking for medical advice.  However, it’s hard to say whether or not she is pregnant. The best way to know is to take a test. Pregnancy tests are accurate ten days after unprotected sex, and are available at most pharmacies and grocery stores. Your girlfriend can also walk-in to Teen Clinic for a pregnancy test any time we’re open.  If you and your girlfriend have questions about how the ring works, it might be helpful to come talk to one of our medical practitioners; understanding your birth control will help put your mind at ease.  And keep using condoms! A hormonal method plus condom use is a great way to reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy.

Bacterial vaginitis, or BV, is an organic infection in which normal healthy bacteria are absent from the vagina, and other bacteria are present in abnormally high numbers.  In some people, BV will occur naturally right before or right after menstruation, then resolve itself. In other cases, the imbalance may require medical treatment.

In very rare cases, a bacterial vaginitis infection can turn into PID, or Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. There is an increased risk of infertility from PID; however, BV that has not turned into PID will not cause infertility. It may cause bleeding, pain during intercourse, increased discharge, itching, or burning.

If you have not received treatment for your BV yet, make an appointment at Teen Clinic! The practitioners there will be able to answer your questions about fertility in depth. And don’t forget to use a condom consistently, correctly, and every time to prevent pregnancy and STIs.