If you don`t have health insurance, you still have options. Depending on your income and legal status in the United States, you may qualify for Medicaid or other state programs that can help you pay for birth control and other health care. The ability of people under the age of 18 (usually the legal definition of a minor) to consent to a range of sensitive health services – including sexual and reproductive health care, mental health services, and alcohol and drug treatment – has increased significantly in recent decades. This trend reflects the recognition that while it is desirable to involve parents or guardians in young people`s health decisions, many young people will not use essential services if they are forced to involve their parents. With respect to sexual and reproductive health care, many states explicitly allow all or some people under the age of 18 to use contraceptive, antenatal and STI services without parental involvement. In addition, almost all states allow parents under the age of 18 to make important decisions about their children. In contrast, a majority of states require parental participation before a minor can perform an abortion. A final concern that research has revealed about contraceptive IUD use in adolescents is pain. Studies have shown that painful or difficult insertion of the IUD is a major problem for adolescents. The new Iike Skyla and Kyleena IUDs have smaller insertion tubes, so insertion pain may be less of a concern with these options. Research has also shown that pain and bleeding are common reasons for teens to have their ParaGard IUD removed. One study found that more teenage IUD users complained of bleeding problems than teenage pill users. But ideally, parents work with their teenage daughters to get an IUD, or at least some form of contraception, and not just because the medical protocol alone can be a little daunting for a teen.
By helping their daughters get contraception, parents can show what responsible sexual health care looks like. Respecting her sexual health needs now could help her stay responsible and safe, such as when a partner is trying to get out of a condom and she has to defend herself. Deans, E.I., & Grimes, DA “Intrauterine devices for adolescents: a systematic review.” Contraception. 2009. 79: 418-423. ACOG also noted in its report that research conducted in St. Louis found that teens themselves like reversible forms of long-acting contraception like the IUD. With comprehensive counselling and free contraception of their choice, more than two-thirds of girls aged 14 to 20 have chosen an IUD or progestin-only implant.
Someone asked us: How old do you have to be to get an IUD? And do you need parental permission to get an IUD? In particular, with respect to access to contraceptives for persons under the age of 18, the United States Supreme Court expressly confirmed its right of access to contraceptives in the 1977 decision in Carey v. Population Services International. No State has imposed a general requirement that individuals obtain parental consent for contraceptive services. For laws related to HIV and other services related to STIs, pregnancy care, adoption, or medical care for a child, state consent laws apply to anyone between the ages of 12 and 17. In some cases, however, states only allow certain groups of young people – such as people who are married, pregnant or already parents – to give consent. Several States do not have relevant policies or jurisprudence; In these states, doctors generally provide medical care without parental consent to persons under the age of 18 whom they consider mature, particularly if the state allows minors to consent to related services. The table below shows seven areas where state laws can interfere with a young person`s right to consent. For more information about each number, click the column heading. An in-depth review of IUD use among adolescents found that expulsion rates varied widely – from five percent to 22 percent, and available research shows conflicting results. Implanon users were also more likely to continue using Implanon after 24 months than teenage pill/depo users. Of the teens who removed it 24 months ago of use, 40 percent said abnormal bleeding was their reason for stopping.
Rates seem to be affected by your age and whether or not you`ve ever been pregnant. For example, some studies show that women who have never given birth have more cases of IUD expulsion, while other studies suggest that those who have given birth report higher rates of expulsion.