Information for teens in San Diego, from local pediatricians

Are you a teen who recently had sex without a condom or consistent birth control? Or did the condom break? Or were you pressured or forced into having sex when you did not want to, or were not expecting it?

You are not alone. You still have options if you don’t want to get pregnant.

There are three options to prevent pregnancy after having sex without birth control:

1. You can take a pill called Plan B or a generic version (levonorgestrel)
2. You can take a pill called Ella or a generic version (ulipristal)
3. A healthcare provider can insert an IUD (intrauterine device) in your uterus

Note: consider emergency contraception if you had unprotected sex anytime in the last 5 days AND you have:

• Missed your pills for >48 hours
• Had your patch removed for >48 hours
• Had your ring out for >48 hours
• If you are >48 hours late starting your pill, patch, or ring after your hormone-free week.  
• If the condom broke or you did not use a condom, and you are not using another form of birth control
• If you take Depo-Provera® and it has been >14 weeks since your last shot

Plan B (levonorgestrel)®

A few tips:

• Take Plan B® as soon as possible. It is more effective the sooner it is taken.
• Plan B® is not effective if you are already pregnant and does not cause an abortion.
• Taking Plan B® will not affect your future fertility.
• Every kind of emergency contraception can cause your next period to be different from how it usually is (different people might have a period that comes sooner or later, or is heavier or lighter, or have spotting).
• If you don’t get your period within a month, take a pregnancy test.

Ella (Ulipristal)®

A few tips:

• Take Ella® as soon as possible. It is more effective the sooner it is taken.
• Ella® is not effective if you are already pregnant and does not cause an abortion.
• Taking Ella® will not affect your future fertility.
• Every kind of emergency contraception can cause your next period to be different from how it usually is (different people might have a period that comes sooner or later, or is heavier or lighter, or have spotting).
• If you don’t get your period within a month, take a pregnancy test.

 
IUDs (Intrauterine Devices)

A few tips:

• IUDs are not effective if you are already pregnant and do not cause an abortion.
• Kyleena® IUD is not effective as emergency contraception– only Mirena®, Liletta®, and Paragard® IUDs are.
• Having an IUD placed will not affect your future fertility.
• Every kind of emergency contraception can cause your next period to be different from how it usually is (different people might have a period that comes sooner or later, or is heavier or lighter, or have spotting).
• If you don’t get your period within a month, take a pregnancy test.

You can buy Plan B® without a prescription, and it’s available in most pharmacies. For Ella® or an IUD, you will need a prescription. You can reach out to your primary care doctor or health care provider, or to the resources below:

San Diego Resources

• Planned Parenthood locations in San Diego
• Planned Parenthood Direct App to request emergency contraception from your phone.
• Adolescent Clinic at Rady Children’s Hospital: 8110 Birmingham Drive (Building 28), 2nd Floor, San Diego, CA 92123. Phone: 858-966-8493
• You can go to Urgent Care. If you have health insurance, you can call the phone number on the back of your insurance card and ask what Urgent Care clinics are covered by their insurance, or you can go to Urgent Care through Rady Children’s Hospital or Family Health Centers San Diego.
  Online Resources

Online Resources

• Many people like to buy Plan B® or Ella® ahead of time so they have it on hand if they need it.
• You can buy Plan B® or Ella® online from Nurx. Generic Plan B® is $15 with free shipping if you pay for it ahead of time (but it will not arrive on time if you need it right away). You can get expedited shipping for Ella® if you need it as soon as possible.
• You can also buy Plan B® or Ella® online from Project Ruby. On Project Ruby you have the option to get overnight shipping for either Plan B® or Ella® if you need it as soon as possible.
• Instacart, Doordash, Postmates, and Walgreens offer same-day delivery of Plan B®
• Here’s a map of which pharmacies near you carry Plan B®.
• In many states including California, some pharmacies allow a pharmacist to directly prescribe emergency contraception (as well as birth control) without you needing to see a doctor first. Here’s a map of pharmacies participating. Call the pharmacy first to make sure that they can write a prescription for you and that they have Plan B® or Ella® in stock.

Financial Resources

• The generic versions of Plan B® (levonorgestrel) are the same medication and are cheaper. You can find pharmacy coupons for generic versions at GoodRx.
• The company who makes Plan B® offers a coupon to save money on Plan B®.
• If you live in California and don’t have insurance, if your insurance doesn’t cover family planning, or if you’re worried to use your insurance in case your parents find out, you likely qualify for Family PACT to cover emergency contraception as well as birth control. You do not have to be a US citizen to qualify. Many clinics and Planned Parenthood can register you for Family PACT on site.
• Planned Parenthood has information about different payment options.

Even if you’re under 18, in California you have the right to:

• Get sexual healthcare– including emergency contraception, birth control, testing and treatment for HIV,, testing and treatment for STIs (sexually transmitted infections), abortion, and pregnancy care– without needing permission from your parents, and without the healthcare provider notifying your parents.
• Say yes or no to any kind of birth control or emergency contraception.
• Anyone of any gender can buy Plan B® without needing to show ID.
• If a pharmacist doesn’t feel comfortable filling your prescription for emergency contraception or birth control themselves, by law they are required to refer you to another pharmacist or another pharmacy which will fill the prescription. It is your right to still be able to get the medication you need.

Note: If your healthcare provider is concerned that you or another minor are in danger, by law your healthcare provider may not be allowed to keep this information private. They may need to reach out and get you help.

It wasn’t your fault. You didn’t do anything to deserve this.

It’s okay and normal to have complicated feelings about what happened.

You are not alone. There are lots of people who want to support you and help you.

Seek medical care as soon as possible. A medical provider can test and treat you for STIs (sexually transmitted infections) and may be able to give you medications to prevent HIV (if it’s within 72 hours (3 days) ), as well as giving emergency contraception if it is within less than 120 hours (5 days).

Many resources are available that you may find helpful:

• National Sexual Assault Hotline: Visit RAINN or call 800-656-HOPE (4673) to get connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.
• Center for Community Solutions (based in San Diego)
• Women’s Resource Center
• Your Safe Place
• Peace over Violence (if you’re in LA)
• San Diego Youth Services
• Visit www.loveisrespect.org/, text “LOVEIS” to 22522, or call 1-866-331-9474 to talk with a peer advocate to prevent and end abusive relationships.
• Center for Young Women’s Health
• North County Lifeline
• This video “Tea Consent” explains consent
• Information about how to discuss condom use with a partner who does not want to use a condom
• Title IX Policies (what your school is required to do) – check your school’s website. Here are some Title IX offices for schools in San Diego:
  • CARE at the Sexual Assault Resource Center for UCSD students, staff, and faculty
  • University of San Diego Campus Assault Resources and Education (CARE) office and Title IX office
  • SDSU Title IX office and other resources
• The National Human Trafficking Hotline is accessible 24/7 at 888-373-7888 or text them at 233-73
• The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is accessible 24/7 at 988

Information on Emergency Contraception:

Information from Planned Parenthood on emergency contraception and on what to do if you missed your pill, patch, or ring.

Information from Bedsider and from Center for Young Women’s Health

Information about birth control options:

Planned Parenthood, Bedsider, and Center for Young Women’s Health

Information about abortion care:

Planned Parenthood, Bedsider, and Center for Young Women’s Health

Other information about sexual health:

Planned Parenthood, Bedsider, The Trevor Project, Center for Young Women’s Health, and Sex Ed To-Go courses