Birth control??

Bashful,

If you need to find a Planned Parenthood office near you, you can go here and type in your zip code:

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/

Take care,

Diane

Hi Bashful-

Part of the answer to your question depends on what state you live in and your age, but generally, you can walk into a drug store and buy condoms right off the shelf by yourself. That being said, I think this may be about more than condoms.

If you want birth control pills or something else like an IUD or injectible birth control, you must usually see a health care provider. That may be a gynecologist, a family doctor or nurse practitioner. You can go to your local Planned Parenthood where you can have both the exam and get the pills or whatever you are looking for. You usually need a pelvic exam and Pap before someone will prescribe birth control for you. This is because if you have any issues with your reproductive system, some forms of birth control may not be safe or appropriate, as well as if you have any sexually transmitted infections.

I suggest discussing this with your parents if you live with them, but if you are unable to do that for some reason other than feeling awkward, then please find a health care provider or Planned Parenthood and get checked out. They can give you advice on all the alternative forms of birth control available, and make sure you are healthy and have not been exposed to any sexually transmitted infections.

Please avoid unprotected sex if you are not ready to raise a child. It is a huge commitment and every single time you have unprotected sex, that is the risk you are taking.

Good luck.