Teen Clinic | Clinical Services

Where is the Teen Clinic located?

Teen Clinic has two locations! The Boulder Teen Clinic is located at Women’s Health (Boulder Valley Women's Health Center) in the city of Boulder, Colorado. We are located on Valmont Rd. between 28th and 30th Streets on the north side of the street. Our building is set back from the road a little, so our sign can be hard to see. We are right next door to Sturtz & Copeland Florists. The address is 2855 Valmont. (map)

The clinic is easily accessed by local RTD bus lines #205, #208 and the Bound as well as by the M, which goes between Boulder and Longmont.

Longmont Teen Clinic is located at 82 21st Ave. in Longmont. Take Main Street to 21st Ave. Turn east on 21st Ave. Follow 21st Ave. until you see the sign for the Tanglewood Adult Community and turn left into the long driveway. Follow the driveway all the way back until you dead end into building 82. Go in the front doors and up the stairs to Suite C.

What will happen when I come to Teen Clinic?

What will happen during your visit will depend on the specific reason you are coming to the clinic. Walk in services and times vary. If you are just coming in to pick up supplies, you will probably only be here a few minutes (10-15). If you are getting a pregnancy test or want to use Emergency Contraception, you could be here 30 minutes to an hour (depending on if you have been here before). Appointments typically take an hour to an hour and a half because we do more than examine you -- we listen to your questions, answer them honestly and try to help you with your problems. The following are some general “pointers” on visiting the clinic.

Things to bring:

List of your questions for the medical staff
A friend, if you'd like
Patience (a book can help pass the time if we are running behind)

Be ready to:

Fill out forms
Get weighed
Give a urine sample
Undress for your exam (if you are having one)

What is a pap smear? What do I need to know about getting one?

A pap smear is a test for cervical abnormalities including cancerous and pre-cancerous conditions. This test is performed during a pelvic exam by taking sample of cells from a woman’s cervix. While it may feel a little “weird,” it isn’t a painful procedure. It is generally recommended that a girl get a pap smear once she turns 18 or when she becomes sexually active, whichever happens first. If you will be getting a pap smear at your visit, we ask that you do not have intercourse, douche, or insert anything into your vagina for 24 hours before your visit. It is also important that you are not on your period for this test.

Do my parents need to know if I come to the Teen Clinic?

While we do encourage you to discuss your visit to the clinic with a parent or other trusted adult, parental consent for family planning services (reproductive health care) is NOT required.

Is the Teen Clinic CONFIDENTIAL?

Because there is little information as private as that about your health, sexuality and behavior, we take your confidentiality seriously. This means we won’t discuss your visit with anyone without your consent. However, because your safety is more important than your confidentiality, if you are under the age of 18 and tell us (in writing or verbally) that you have been sexually assaulted or abused, we are required by law to report it to authorities. (This does not mean that you have to press charges.) It also gives you the opportunity to get support and access resources.

Are the nurses/doctors competent about gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered youth issues?

At the Teen Clinic, we respect all youth. No one will ever try to "change" you. We support the gender identity and sexual orientation of GLBTQ youth and our staff members are comfortable talking about GLBTQ sexuality issues.

What is the best method of birth control and protection against STIs FOR ME?

This isn’t an easy question to answer. There is no ONE perfect method of protection for everyone -- what’s best for you depends on what your definition of “the best” is. Among the questions to consider are: How effective is it? How easy is the method to obtain and use? Does it fit within my personal moral and belief system? Are there side effects? Is it safe? Will my partner agree to using it?

There is only one thing that is 100% effective at preventing both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections and that is ABSTINENCE. But, even abstinence needs to be “used” correctly.

If you do choose to engage in sexual activity, there are strategies and methods you can use to reduce your risk of getting pregnant or an infection. Using one or more of these is referred to as “safer sex” and, while they can provide some protection, they are not 100% effective. To find out more about different methods of birth control, protection against infections, safer sexual practices, and abstinence, check out the “Resources” section of this web site.

What if I can’t come to the clinic during specific teen times?

While we have specifically designated times when only teens are allowed at the center, teens are welcome to come to Women’s Health during all hours of operation. This is an option many teens choose to make visiting the clinic more convenient for their particular schedules. However, all patients coming during non-teen specific times are asked to pay for their services based on their income. This means that there is a possibility that you will have to pay.

Can I still come to the Teen Clinic even if I’m 18?

If you are 18 or 19 you can still come to the Teen Clinic, but once you turn 20, you can no longer take advantage of this specialized service. Still, because they already have a relationship with a health care provider they trust, many of our former Teen Clinic patients continue coming to Women’s Health after they turn 20 -- one patient called it “graduating” from the Teen Clinic!

Why would a guy come to the clinic?

While people often think of reproductive health care as “just for girls,” we support reproductive health for everyone! Many guys come to the Teen Clinic to get an STI screen, an HIV test, to ask for information or condoms, or just to provide emotional support for their partner.

Can I volunteer at the Teen Clinic?

There are a lot of ways to be involved and volunteer in the Youth Program at Women’s Health -- we offer a peer education program to give you a voice and experience, but because of the sensitive and confidential nature of the clinical work we do at the Teen Clinic, volunteers must be 18 years of age or older. Check out the “Get Involved” section of this website for more information about volunteer opportunities.