Great question!  Here’s what you need to know about mandatory reporting laws in Colorado:

1. If a Teen Clinic patient is under 18, we are obligated by law to report instances of rape, abuse, neglect, molestation or other non-consensual sexual activity.

2. We are also required to report statutory rape.  In Colorado, it is considered statutory rape when:

• A person under 15 engages in sexual activity with a person 4 or more years older than them.
• A person 15 or 16 engages in sexual activity with a person 10 or more years older than them.
• A person of any age has sexual contact with a person in a position of direct authority (i.e. a teacher, coach, doctor, therapist, etc.).

If a patient is over 17 and she reports an incident from the past that has not already been reported which falls into these categories, Teen Clinic will still have to notify the authorities, by law.

It’s important to note that there is no age of consent for youth outside these categories.  Consensual sex is considered legal, for instance, between two people who are 15, or a couple 15 & 17 years old.  That means it’s a myth that people under 18 can’t give consent; in Colorado, they can, as long as the age and power differences don’t fall under the above guidelines.  And don’t forget that non-consensual sex is always illegal, regardless of age difference.

Curious about why statutory rape laws exist? Check out this great article by the Guttmacher Institute.  And feel free to ask away if you have more questions. Teen Clinic wants to make sure its patients know up front what they do and don’t need to report. Thanks for checking!

If you are over 20, Boulder Valley Women’s Health Center, which hosts Teen Clinic, offers Plan B on a sliding scale. That means the amount you pay depends on how much you make. Some services are free of charge.

Learn more by calling us at 303-441-5160. It’s smart that you’re pursuing a backup plan! Emergency contraception is most effective in the first 48 hours, but can also be used up to 5 days after unprotected sex.

Fabulous questions. The answers are yes, yes, and yes!

Last things first: The best way to start a birth control method at Teen Clinic is to make an appointment. While we can occasionally start new patients on a method as a walk-in, we often have to turn people away due to time constraints. To schedule, give us a call at 303-442-5160 on the day before you’d like to come in.  If you have trouble scheduling, Monday night Teen Clinic in Boulder (4-6) is the best time to try walking in.

Once you’re in your appointment, make sure the nurse knows the types of methods you’re most interested in. Some birth control pills are FDA-approved to treat acne; your provider will be able to determine if these are safe, healthy options for you! Bring up your interest in having fewer periods, too. Some pill options only allow a period once every three months. There are also very effective hormonal methods that are not pills—like the Mirena IUD, Implanon, or the Depo Shot—which may stop your period altogether.

See you soon!

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.

Thanks for writing in—it’s responsible to be aware of what’s going on in your body!

It sounds like you are experiencing the symptoms of an infection. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to tell exactly what’s going on without seeing a doctor. Make an appointment at Teen Clinic as soon as possible to make sure you’re healthy.  We also suggest abstaining from sex until you know for sure, since some infections can be sexually transmitted. Give us a call to schedule your appointment, and consider using condoms 100% in the future to keep yourself safe and healthy!

Be sure to call the clinic to let them know you’d like to change the purpose of your appointment. This ensures we’ll have enough time in the schedule to chat with you about different options, and helps us get your paperwork ready in advance.  See you then!

At the adult clinic, we offer services on a sliding scale. That means the amount you pay depends on how much you make.  If you don’t have an income, it’s likely that your services will be free, but we can’t guarantee it. Bring some extra money just in case there’s a charge. If you want to find out how much it will cost ahead of time, call our main line to get an estimate. And remember— your donations keep Teen Clinic open. Even throwing a dollar or two into the fishbowl makes a big difference.

It’s responsible that you’re planning how to get Plan B ahead of time! Consider using condoms 100% and making an appointment to start a birth control method, too.  We’re here to help you stay healthy and safe.

To view Women’s Health’s hours, click here.

Your granddaughter is lucky to have someone she can talk to!  Thanks for writing in on her behalf.

Although light bleeding can occur after a person’s first vaginal intercourse, bleeding that continues should be evaluated by a medical professional. Vaginal bleeding is often a sign of infection, whether a sexually transmitted infection or an organic infection, like yeast or bacterial vaginitis.  If she doesn’t already have a gynecologist, consider helping her get to Teen Clinic for a check-up. We offer low-cost and confidential services.

Make sure your granddaughter knows that sex shouldn’t be painful.  The tissue in the vaginal canal is very fragile, and can tear if a person isn’t lubricated enough during intercourse. Choosing a water-based lubricant to use with condoms is a great idea. It’s also important to make sure she is aroused enough for vaginal intercourse. During arousal, blood fills the vaginal tissues, allowing them to expand and lengthen. The body may also self-lubricate, reducing friction  further. If a person experiences pain during intercourse, it’s often a red flag to stop or slow down.

For a more in-depth guide to preventing pain during sex, check out this question.  To make an appointment at Teen Clinic, take a peek at our contact information. Thanks again for being a safe place your granddaughter can go!

Make an appointment to see your doctor as soon as possible.  While there are many things that could cause your symptoms, it’s impossible to diagnose over the internet.  Visiting a medical professional will help make sure you’re healthy.

If you don’t have a doctor you currently see, consider visiting Teen Clinic. Give us a call to make an appointment.

Teen Clinic uses Next-Day Scheduling. Give us a call the day before you’d like to come in. The phone lines open at 9am, so calling first thing in the morning gives you a better chance of getting in. If you have questions about the process, give us a call anytime to learn more.