Philadelphia

United States of America / Pennsylvania / Philadelphia

OVERVIEW

Contraception (Birth Control)

General Note: There are many types of contraceptives, also known as "birth control," including IUDs, oral contraceptives, patches, shots, and condoms, etc. If you would like to view a full list, click here.

Laws & Social Stigmas

In Pennsylvania, you need a prescription to obtain most birth control. A minor can purchase birth control without parental permission in the following circumstances: if the minor is 14 years old and older, if the minor is a high school graduate, if the minor is married of if the minor is or has ever been pregnant. For all other minors, they need to get parental permission in order to get a birth control prescription. However, if you're a minor, you can go to a Title X Clinic. These clinics are completely confidential, which means that your appointment and billing will be confidential.

At Title X Clinics, teens and adults can receive sexual and reproductive health care. They charge on a sliding-scale basis. They may be able to give you a prescription to birth control pills, as well as condoms and sexual health counseling. If you pay for their services with family health insurance and you're a teenager, your parents may see that you visited the clinic in their bills.

In the state of Pennsylvania, it's not required to teach about sexuality or contraceptive methods, such as condoms, pills and patches, in public schools. However, Pennsylvania law does require education on HIV/AIDS and STD education.

What to Get & Where to Get It

• You can get condoms in Pennsylvania without a prescription. There are no age restrictions (you can be a minor or adult). You can buy them at drugstores, pharmacy, grocery stores or online. Generally, a 12-pack of condoms costs around $12. A female condom costs around $2-$4 per condom.

• The Elizabeth Blackwell Health Center at Locust Street: This is a Planned Parenthood center that provides low-cost services for birth control pills, IUDs and implants. They're also LGBT-friendly. Address: 1144 Locust Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, (215) 351-5560.
• Castor Ave. Health Center: This is a Planned Parenthood center that provides low-cost services for birth control pills, IUDs and implants. Address: 8210 Castor Ave, Philadelphia, PA, 19152, (215) 745-5966.
• Philadelphia Women's Center: "We offer a wide range of birth control methods including: the birth control pill, the vaginal ring, the implant, the Depo shot and hormonal and non-hormonal IUDs." Phone: (215) 574-3590 | (800) 869-2330. Address: 777 Appletree Street, 7th Floor, Philadelphia, PA, 19106.
• Women's Care Center of Drexel University: Contraception included: Contraceptive supplies, Free condoms, Birth control pills, Orthro-Evra™ (the "patch"), Nuva Ring™ (vaginal contraceptive ring), Depro-Provera, IUD, Diaphragm. Address: 1427 Vine St, 7th Fl., Philadelphia, PA, 19102. Phone: (215) 762-7824
• Mazzoni Center Family and Community Medicine: They provide low-cost services for birth control pills, IUDs and implants. They're also LGBT-friendly and accept health insurance. Address: 809 Locust st., Philadelphia, PA, 19107, (215) 563-0658.

Emergency Contraception (Morning After Pill)

Important Notes: Emergency contraception may prevent pregnancy for three days (72 hours) and sometimes five days (120 hours) after unprotected sex. Take EC as soon as possible after unprotected sex. If you don't have access to dedicated EC, oral contraceptives can be used as replacement EC, but remember the following: 1) Only some contraceptives work as EC 2) Different contraceptives require different dosages and time schedules to work as EC 3) You must only use the first 21 pills in 28-day packs and 4) They may be less effective than dedicated EC. For general information on emergency contraceptives, click here and here.

What to Get & Where to Get It

Note: The longest-lasting EC is currently ellaOne. It lasts up to 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected sex. Check to see if your country carries ellaOne. If your country doesn't carry ellaOne, copper IUDs may also prevent pregnancy up to 5 days after unprotected sex. If none of these options are available, and it's been over 3 days since you had unprotected sex, you can still take EC, which may work up to 5 days. Note that EC pills are not 100% effective and should be taken as soon as possible.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs/STDs)

Important Notes - Learn about PEP and PrEP: If you think that you've been recently exposed to HIV (i.e. within 72 hours), seek out PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis). It's a month-long treatment to prevent HIV infection after exposure, and it may be available in your city. Take PEP as soon as possible. For more information, click here. If you are at risk of HIV exposure, seek out PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis). It's a daily oral pill that can prevent HIV infection before exposure. To learn more about PrEP, click here.

Menstruation

Note: In addition to pads and tampons, you can also use menstrual cups and menstrual underwear for your period. To learn more about menstrual cups, click here. To learn more about menstrual underwear, click here.

Abortion

Important Note: There are two main types of abortions: medical (also known as the "abortion pill") and surgical (also known as "in-clinic"). For medical abortions, you take a pill to induce abortion. For surgical abortions, a procedure is performed to induce abortion. For general information about medical and surgical abortions, click here.