Yes, a pediatrician can prescribe birth control. A pediatrician supports key aspects of an adolescent’s development, including their sexual health. This can involve providing information on safe sex and prescribing contraceptives.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that pediatricians continually develop their contraceptive knowledge to lower the risks associated with unintended pregnancies in adolescents.
In some states, birth control can legally be prescribed to people under the age of 18 years without parental consent. However, other states may reserve the right to inform a parent or guardian.
Some states have exceptions and may only prescribe birth control without parental or guardian involvement if:
- you are married
- you demonstrate maturity
- you have a history of pregnancy
- it is recommended by a specified healthcare professional
The Guttmacher Institute has a page that tracks the laws and policies of each state when it comes to accessing contraceptive services for minors.
States with no specific policy
It is important to remember that some states do not have a specific policy. It can be helpful to ask the clinic or healthcare professional about the laws in your state before beginning your appointment. They can inform you if your care and documentation will be kept confidential.
A variety of contraceptive methods are available to adolescents,
- condoms
- intrauterine device (IUD)
- implants
- contraceptive pills
- emergency contraception
- cervical cap
- spermicide
- diaphragm
- birth control patch
The type of contraceptives that adolescents can access can vary by state.
Pediatricians can provide several key sexual health services alongside prescribing birth control. They include:
- providing information and resources on safe sex
- providing information and resources on preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- promoting healthy relationships
- addressing sexual and reproductive health needs
- providing screening and treatment for STIs
To learn more about the importance of sexual health education in young people, read “The Problem with Modern Sex Education — and Where We Go from Here.”