THINKING
ABOUT SEX?
WHAT TEENS SHOULD KNOW
ABOUT REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE
MY BOYFRIEND/GIRLFRIEND WANTS TO HAVE
SEX WITH ME, BUT I DON’T THINK THAT I’M
READY. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Having sex is a big decision. It involves many feelings
and responsibilities. There is a lot to consider. How
will having sex make you feel about yourself or your
boyfriend/girlfriend? Will your relationship change—for
better or worse? Are you ready to protect yourself against
pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases? (STDs)?
What will both of you do if you get pregnant?
Abstinence (not having oral, anal, or vaginal sex) is
the only 100% effective method of preventing sexually
transmitted diseases (STDs, including HIV) and
unintended pregnancy.
You should be honest when discussing your feelings with
your boyfriend/girlfriend. Sometimes it’s helpful to talk
things through first with someone that you respect—
a parent, a friend, a professional counselor, or someone
else who cares about what is best for you. When it
comes to decisions about sex, you are the only person
who can ultimately decide what is right for you. Trust the
messages that your body and mind give you.
When YOU decide it is the right time to have sex,
it’s important to have information about birth control
methods and protecting yourself from STDs. The
following pages will help answer any questions you might
have and find the resources that are right for you.
IF I WANT TO GET BIRTH CONTROL, DO I HAVE
TO TELL MY PARENTS?
NO.
In Colorado, even if you’re under the age of eighteen,
you do not need to tell your parents before getting birth
control (including emergency contraception—“the
morning-after pill”, which prevents pregnancy up to five
days after unprotected sex) or treatment for sexually
transmitted diseases (STDs).
To learn more about different types of birth control
methods, how emergency contraception (EC) works
and symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs),
please see Your Choices: A Guide to Reproductive Health
Care Services in Colorado at www.ProChoiceColorado.org
(available in English and Spanish). You can also call
303.394.1973, ext. 16 or e-mail choice@ProChoice
Colorado.org for a copy.
To find even more health care providers in your area,
please see Your Choices: A Guide to Reproductive
Health Care Services in Colorado at www.ProChoice
Colorado.org (available in English and Spanish).
You can also call 303.394.1973, ext. 16 or e-mail
[email protected] for a copy.
Aurora
Colorado Adolescent Maternity Program (CAMP)—
University Hospital (Ages 0-22)
phone 720.848.1060
website www.uchsc.edu/camp
Birth Control, Emergency Contraception,
STD/HIV Testing, Pregnancy Testing, Prenatal Care,
Pregnancy Options Counseling
Speaks Spanish, Accepts Medicaid
Metro Community Provider Network (MCPN) Helena
Clinic and Teen Clinic (Ages 11-19)
Remember: The best way to avoid getting an STD is to
always use a latex condom during sex!
phone 303.343.6736
website www.mcpn.com
ARE THERE ANY HEALTH CLINICS THAT OFFER
SPECIAL SERVICES JUST FOR TEENS?
YES!
Birth Control, Emergency Contraception,
STD/HIV Testing, Pregnancy Testing, Prenatal Care,
Pregnancy Options Counseling
There are 10 clinics in the Denver and surrounding area
that specialize in services for teens. Most offer free or
low-cost (“sliding-scale”) services, including birth control,
pregnancy tests, emergency contraception (EC or “the
morning-after pill”), sexually transmitted disease (STD)
testing, HIV testing and counseling on your options if you
find out you’re pregnant.
Speaks Spanish, Accepts Medicaid
PLUS! Free information and referrals for teens
Boulder
Women’s Health (Boulder Valley Women’s Health
Center) and Teen Clinic (Ages 12-20)
phone 303.442.5160
website www.bvwhc.org; www.teenclinic.org
Birth Control, Emergency Contraception,
STD/HIV Testing, Pregnancy Testing, Pregnancy Options
Counseling, Abortion Services
Speaks Spanish, Accepts Medicaid,
Sliding Fee (based on income), Open on Weekends
Commerce City
Commerce City Community Health Services
(Ages 0-21)
phone 303.289.1086
PLUS! Free birth control, emergency contraception and
STD/pregnancy testing for teens
Birth Control, Emergency Contraception,
STD/HIV Testing, Pregnancy Testing,
Pregnancy Options Counseling
Brighton
Speaks Spanish, Accepts Medicaid,
Sliding Fee (based on income)
Brighton Women’s Health Center and New Horizons
Teen Clinic (Ages 13-22)
phone 303.655.1950
Birth Control, Emergency Contraception,
STD/HIV Testing, Pregnancy Testing, Prenatal Care,
Pregnancy Options Counseling
Speaks Spanish, Accepts Medicaid,
Sliding Fee (based on income)
Colorado Springs
Denver
The Children’s Hospital of Denver—Adolescent
Medicine (Ages 12-22)
phone 303.861.6131
website www.thechildrenshospital.org
Birth Control, Emergency Contraception,
STD Testing, Pregnancy Testing,
Pregnancy Options Counseling
Urban Peak (Ages 15-20)
Speaks Spanish, Accepts Medicaid,
Sliding Fee (based on income)
phone 719.630.3223
website www.urbanpeak.org
PLUS! Free condoms, STD testing,
and family planning counseling for teens
STD/HIV Testing, Pregnancy Testing
Open on Weekends
PLUS! Free medical services and referrals for
homeless youth
Colorado Adolescent Maternity Program (CAMP)—
The Children’s Hospital (Ages 0-22)
phone 303.837.2776
website www.thechildrenshospital.org
Birth Control, Emergency Contraception,
STD/HIV Testing, Pregnancy Testing,
Pregnancy Options Counseling
Speaks Spanish, Accepts Medicaid,
Sliding Fee (based on income)
Denver Health—Denver Metro Health (STD) Clinic and
Teen Clinic (Ages 0-19)
phone 303.436.7251
website www.denverhealth.org
Birth Control, Emergency Contraception,
STD/HIV Testing
Speaks Spanish
PLUS! Free exams, birth control and STD testing/
treatment for women under age 19 who live in Denver,
Douglas, Adams or Arapahoe county
Urban Peak (Ages 15-20)
phone 303.777.9198
website www.urbanpeak.org
STD/HIV Testing, Pregnancy Testing
Open on Weekends
PLUS! Free medical services and referrals for
homeless youth
Various Locations
Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains
has numerous clinics across Colorado that offer
comprehensive and confidential health care for teens,
often on a low-cost (“sliding scale”) basis.
phone 303.321.PLAN (7526)
(to find the Health Center nearest to you)
website www.pprm.org
(to find the Health Center nearest to you)
I’M PREGNANT AND HAVE DECIDED TO HAVE AN
ABORTION—DO I HAVE TO TELL MY PARENTS?
YES.
If you are under 18, your health care provider is
required by law to tell your parent or legal guardian 48
hours before you can have an abortion. This includes
both medical (RU 486) and surgical abortion. The law
does not say that your parent or guardian has to give
permission—just that they have to be told.
This law applies to all women under 18, unless you are
at least 15 and are emancipated (that is, you financially
support and take care of yourself), are married and don’t
live with a parent or legal guardian, and/or your doctor
decides that there is a medical emergency related to your
pregnancy.
If your parent or legal guardian comes to the abortion
clinic with you, he or she can sign a form saying that he
or she knows you are going to have an abortion.
If you can’t talk to your parents or guardian about your
choice to have an abortion, you can ask for a judicial
bypass. A judicial bypass is an order from a judge that
allows you to have an abortion without telling your parent
or guardian. A decision must be made within four days
after you file the bypass petition. Your request (whether
granted or not) is kept confidential.
Colorado Adolescent Maternity Program (CAMP)—
The Children’s Hospital (Ages 0-22)
For more information about Colorado’s parental
notification law, judicial bypass and help finding a
lawyer who will provide free and private services, go to
Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountain’s website
at www.pprm.org, or call their toll-free hotline at
866.277.2771.
phone 720.848.1060
website www.uchsc.edu/camp
If you need help finding an abortion provider and/or
paying for an abortion, please see Your Choices: A Guide
to Reproductive Health Care Services in Colorado at
www.ProChoiceColorado.org (available in English and
Spanish). You can also call 303.394.1973, ext. 16 or
e-mail [email protected] for a copy.
I’M PREGNANT AND HAVE DECIDED TO HAVE
A BABY. WHERE CAN I FIND HELP?
phone 303.837.2776
website www.thechildrenshospital.org
Colorado Adolescent Maternity Program (CAMP)—
University Hospital (Ages 0-22)
Denver Kids Teen Mother Education Project
phone 303.405.8266
website www.denverkidsinc.org
The Florence Crittenton School and Infant/Toddler
Development Program
phone 303.733.7686
website www.humanservicesinc.org/school.html
Shared Beginnings
phone 303.629.3846
website www.stanthonycentral.org
Young Fathers Program
There are many teen pregnancy and parenting resources
in the Denver and surrounding area that specialize in
services for teens. Below are just a few.
phone 303.561.1246
website www.humanservicesinc.org/youngfathers.html
To check out other health care providers, organizations
and agencies (including adoption agencies), please
see Your Choices: A Guide to Reproductive Health Care
Services in Colorado at www.ProChoiceColorado.org
(available in English and Spanish). You can also call
303.394.1973, ext. 16 or e-mail choice@ProChoice
Colorado.org for a copy.
Resources for Sexual Assault/Rape Survivors
Additional Resources
If you or someone you know has been raped or sexually
assaulted, it is important that you go to your local hospital
emergency room (ER) within 72 hours (3 days) to have a
sexual assault exam, which should include being offered
emergency contraception (EC) and getting tested for STDs.
Rape Assistance and Awareness Program (RAAP)
phone 303.322.7273 (English)
303.329.0031 (Spanish)
website www.raap.org
Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CCASA)
phone 303.861.7033
website www.ccasa.org/hotlines.cfm
Resources for GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and/or
Transgendered) Teens
Rainbow Alley
phone 303.831.0442
website www.coloradoglbt.org/rainbow_alley.html
Inside/Out Youth Services
phone 719.328.1056
website www.insideoutys.org
General Resources for Teens (and parents too!)
Teen Wire (Planned Parenthood)
www.teenwire.org
Facts of Life Line (Planned Parenthood)
800.322.1020 (English/Spanish)
Advocates for Youth
www.advocatesforyouth.org/youth/index.htm
Kaiser Family Foundation
www.itsyoursexlife.com
National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy
www.teenpregnancy.org
For questions, additional resources or to order
more copies, please contact:
NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado
1905 Sherman Street, Suite 800
Denver, Colorado 80203
website www.ProChoiceColorado.org
phone 303.394.1973
e-mail [email protected]
fax 303.388.1692
Pro-Choice Colorado