Let's talk about sex, baby: confidential birth control

Dear Sally,

I saw you on the University of Richmond Web site, and I need some answers. I've looked around everywhere, and I can't find a clinic that will do a walk-in for me. I'm 17 and I need birth control, but I don't want my parents to know. Do you have any suggestions?

- Combing-for-clinic

Dear Combing,

You're in luck because the Health Center right here on campus can help you out! Any appointments you make with them are 100 percent confidential and top-secret, so don't let the fact that you're a minor keep you from staying safe. You don't need insurance to go there, and, even without insurance, pharmacies such as Wal-mart, Target and Kroger offer birth control that's only $9/pack. The initial prescription is for three months of refills, but you can get up to nine months with a brief followup appointment. Although you can't exactly walk right in, it's super easy to set up an appointment and it only takes about 30 minutes, during which a nurse will review important points about birth

control and discuss what type would be best for you. The nurses at the Health Center are known for being incredibly sweet and helpful, so don't be shy!

Love,

Sally

Inept at getting action or unsure about STDs? Email Sally anonymously at sallysexpert@gmail.com.