Teen Services

A teen clinic is a place where teens can come to get information and resources about their sexual health, family planning options and staying healthy in a private, youth-oriented environment. The teen clinic is completely confidential and is staffed by educators and medical professionals who are trained to meet the special social and medical needs of teens. Many teens may feel intimidated to see their regular primary care provider for information about their sexual health, and the teen clinic can offer them access to up-to-date information and resources. It is common for teens to come to our clinic to find out information before and after they become sexually active.

We encourage teens to talk to their parents/guardians about their sexual health, choices and relationships. Parents/guardians are welcome to accompany their teen to the Teen Clinic. Not all teens are comfortable talking and asking sensitive questions about sex in front of their parents/guardians, so we offer private counseling to all teens. We may ask that you wait in the adult waiting room while we talk to your teen. The teen clinic has lots of information and resources for parents to help start talking about sex, birth control, and healthy relationships. Our counselors and providers can also address and answer any questions or concerns you may have.

In accordance with federal and California state law, all youth have access to confidential, free, or low cost care when it comes to their sexual health, including STD testing and counseling, family planning, pregnancy testing, and well-woman/man care. This means that any teen who seek services with SDFC will not have their parent/guardian notified. Many teens do not feel comfortable talking about sex, even the idea of sex, with their parents. Allowing teens to have access to family planning care that is completely private and confidential can encourage them to access services, stay STD free and avoid unwanted pregnancies.

Emergency Contraception, also called the morning after pill, Ella or Plan B, is a birth control method that can be used up to 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected sex (your condom broke or you didn’t use a condom). It works to prevent pregnancy but it will not hurt or terminate a pregnancy if you are already pregnant.

How does it work? Emergency Contraception is similar to oral contraceptive pill, patches, and the vaginal ring. The hormones in the morning-after pill work by preventing ovulation and thickening the mucous around your cervix. It is more effective the sooner you use it after sex (up to 98%).

When can I take it? It is advised to take Emergency Contraception as soon as possible after having unprotected sex. It is most effective if you take it within 72 hours of having sex, but it can be taken up to 120 hours (5 days) after having sex.

Where Can I get it? Plan B is now available over the counter at most pharmacies (prices may vary) for anyone 15 years old and older, and for anyone under 15 years old with a prescription. Plan B and Ella are available at SDFC.

Yes. SDFC offers STD testing and HIV testing for all patients. You can get tested if you think you may have an STD or if you just want to know. Rapid HIV testing is also available, and you can get your results during your appointment.

Many people with STD’s don’t have any symptoms, so if you or your partner have had unprotected sex, we recommend getting tested. You can get STDs from all kinds of sexual activity, but there are ways to prevent transmission. For some STD testing, you may need to see a provider.

STDs that we can test for include: Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, Herpes, Genital Warts (HPV), HIV, Trichamoniasis, and Genital Crabs.

If you are diagnosed with an STD, the first thing we will do is notify you by phone using the contact information that you provided to us. When you come in, you will have an opportunity to talk to a counselor and/or provider about your test results, and we can start treatment. Some STDs can be treated with antibiotics; others never go away but can be managed. Your counselor will talk to you in more detail about what your STD results mean for you.

If you are diagnosed with an STD, your partner will also need to be treated. Our counselors can help you tell your partner about your result, and help them get treated.

Yes, pregnancy tests are available. Whether you want to get pregnant or avoid pregnancy, our counselors can offer you unbiased and comprehensive information about your options and referrals should you choose parenting, adoption or abortion. We can also assist you in finding an effective birth control method that is right for you to prevent pregnancy.

Yes! We encourage people to come in with their partners, for support and information. We will want to talk to each partner individually during the visit, but later we can talk all together about your plans, and how best to protect yourself from unwanted pregnancy and STDs. Talking about birth control and sex with your partners is important, and hopefully, by coming in together we can help you start that conversation.

Everyone is welcome, regardless if you are having sex or not! Taking control of your health and knowing your options is an important step to take, even if you are not sexually active yet or anymore. Our counselors can answer your questions, talk to you about sex, birth control, abstinence, and other topics to help keep you safe and healthy. We encourage you to come with your friends and partners; we offer tours of the clinic and are happy to answer any questions you may have about health, sex, birth control, STDs, healthy relationships, talking to your parents, and more.  

Everyone is different, and there is a different kind of birth control for each person. As people change, their choice of birth control can change with them. If you are unsure which birth control method to use, we can give you information about your options to find one that best fits your lifestyle and your reproductive life plan (meaning when you do, if at all, want to get pregnant).

If you have run out of your pills/patches/rings/condoms, the first thing to do is stay calm! Contact the clinic you attend and speak to the teen clinic coordinator. They will contact the nurse/provider about getting you a refill on your birth control pill. In some cases you may have to wait to get your refill. You may also stop by the teen clinic as a walk-in visit to pick up condoms and request a refill.

All services at SDFC are completely confidential. All teens and adults who requests confidentiality will never be contacted at home by clinic staff, except through pre-approved modes of contact (such as a cell phone, email or through a friend).

Residents of California can get free or low cost family planning services, depending on income, ability to become pregnant, and current health care coverage. SDFC offers additional primary care services to patients not seeking family planning services on a sliding fee schedule. We encourage you to speak to one of our billing staff to find out more.

If you do not have insurance, or do not want to use the insurance you do have due to confidentiality issues, you may be eligible for family planning services under Family PACT.

Family PACT is a state of California program that provides a limited scope of services that focus on reproductive health care for low income women and men.

When you present at the clinic for family planning services, our staff will ask you questions and provide you with the necessary registration paperwork to complete, if you qualify.