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 and Title X clinic. They provide 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 (we're not sure if they're a Title X clinic). They 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: This should be a Title X clinic (but you can call to confirm). 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: This is a Title X clinic. 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.

Laws & Social Stigmas

In Pennsylvania, anyone (no matter their age) can buy Plan B One-Step without a prescription. For other brands, like Next, Next Choice One Dose, My Way and Levonorgestrel, you can buy them without a prescription if they are 17 or older. If you want the ella pill, you'll need a prescription (regardless of age).

What to Get & Where to Get It

If you have been raped and want emergency contraception, you can get it at an emergency room or hospital. You can also call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673), which is open 24 hours and will let you know where you can get EC. For more information, you can also visit the RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) website.

Here's a full breakdown of what you can expect to find, thanks to the Princeton EC Website:

Dedicated Products / Anti-Progestin Take 1 pill within 120 hours after unprotected sex:

• ella

Dedicated Products / Progestin Only Take 1 pill within 120 hours after unprotected sex:

• My Way
• Next Choice One Dose
• Plan B One-Step
• Take Action

Take 2 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex:

• Levonorgestrel Tablets (available from a pharmacist without a prescription)

If you can't access emergency contraception, many oral contraceptives can be used as replacement EC. The list of potential contraceptives that can be used for this purpose is very long, and instructions vary according to the specific brand. So, to find specific instructions based on the brands you may have available, please check out the Princeton EC Website. You can search for EC under "United States" and see recommended pills and dosages on that site.

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.

Laws & Social Stigmas

The United States has no travel restrictions related to HIV status.

Testing Facilities

• Take Control: "Come to our free and confidential clinics at Health Centers 1 and 5. They provide exams, diagnosis, and treatment for a variety of STDs to all people over the age of 12. All services are free of charge. You don't even need an appointment. It's as easy as walking in after school." Health Center 1 (Center City): 500 S. Broad St. (Broad and Lombard). Health Center 5 (North Philadelphia): 1920 N 20th St. (20th and Berks).
• St Christophers Hospital for Children Pediatric Adolescent HIV/AIDS Program: They give free HIV tests and rapid HIV blood tests to teens who are 14 years and older. No parental consent required. Walk-in testing open to general public. Address: 3601 A Street, Philadelphia, PA 19134, Phone: 215-427-5284.
• Mazzoni Center: "Mazzoni Center offers free, confidential rapid HIV testing and confidential STI (sexually transmitted infection) screening services Mondays-Saturdays at our community based testing location at Washington West Project (1201 Locust Street), and at various off-site locations throughout Philadelphia."
• Congreso de Latinos Unidos: They offer Free HIV Testing, Conventional HIV Blood Testing, Conventional HIV Oral Testing, Chlamydia Testing, Syphilis Testing, Gonorrhea Testing, Hepatitis B Vaccine and HPV Vaccine. Address: 216 W Somerset St, Philadelphia, PA 19133, USA. Phone: +1 215-763-8870.
• Prevention Point Philadelphia: They offer Free HIV Testing, Conventional HIV Oral Testing, Chlamydia Testing, Syphilis Testing, Gonorrhea Testing, Hepatitis B Vaccine. Address: 166 W Lehigh Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19133, Phone: 215-634-5272.
• Blacks Educating Blacks About Sexual Health Issues: Offers Free HIV Testing, Conventional HIV Blood Testing, Rapid HIV Blood Testing, Conventional HIV Oral Testing, Rapid HIV Oral Testing, Chlamydia Testing, Syphilis Testing, Gonorrhea Testing and Herpes Testing. Address: 1217 Spring Garden St 1st Fl

Philadelphia, PA 19123, Phone: 215-769-3561.

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.