Dear janaysgurl,

Most health care providers keep their clients' information confidential. But for one reason or another, certain providers may not be able to guarantee complete confidentiality. Check with your providers about their confidentiality policies before making an appointment.

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.

Be honest with health care providers so they can get an accurate picture of your health and needs. It can help clinicians determine if it's a good idea to test for sexually transmitted infections, prescribe birth control, or offer counseling for problematic sexual relationships.

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.