Dear kimmy87x,

Whenever possible, it can be helpful to involve parents in important decisions like getting advice about birth control. And often teens want to include their parents in discussions about their sex lives and the steps they have taken to avoid an unplanned pregnancy and exposure to sexually transmitted infections.

In general, minors do not need parental consent for prescription birth control, like the patch. However, there may be certain locations where, for one reason or another, the provider will require parental permission.

Most health care providers keep their clients' information confidential, but certain providers may not keep teens' information confidential, for one reason or another. Check with your provider about confidentiality policies.

Planned Parenthood provides reproductive health care services that include information, contraception, testing, and counseling on a full range of options to women, men, and teens across the country. Planned Parenthood's policy is to protect client confidentiality to the extent the law allows.

The patch, also known as Ortho Evra, is a thin plastic patch placed on the skin of the buttocks, stomach, upper outer arm, or upper torso once a week for three out of four weeks. It releases combined hormones that protect against pregnancy for one month. Once a prescription is obtained from a clinician, patches may be purchased at a clinic or drugstore.

Because the patch is worn on the outside of the body, it is not the most private method of contraception. Women must keep it on when they are sleeping, bathing, or swimming. These kinds of circumstances may be challenges for women who want to use the patch confidentially. More private methods include the pill and the shot.

To make an appointment for confidential birth control counseling at your nearest Planned Parenthood, call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN.

Hope this information helps!

Take care,

teenwire.com^® Editors

This column is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a medical problem, please call toll-free 1-800-230-PLAN for an appointment with the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.