Teens and young adults should regularly see a doctor or other health professional, at least once a year for a routine well visit, but these visits should now include private one-on-one time. When you were younger, your parents/guardians made the decisions about your health. They scheduled doctor visits and did all the talking for you. Now that you’re older and know more about your body and your mind, you probably want to make some health choices yourself.
Having a trusting and respectful relationship with a healthcare professional will allow you to freely discuss any issue, including sensitive topics like sexual health. Your doctor can also make referrals for you, such as to a gynecologist (a medical doctor specializing in female reproductive health), if needed.
Generally, doctors and other healthcare providers are legally obligated to maintain privacy/confidentiality, especially concerning sensitive topics like sexual and mental health. But there are exceptions, such as when there’s a risk of harm to yourself or others, or if you have been abused, neglected, or the victim of sexual abuse. This is called mandatory reporting. It’s best to talk with your doctor or healthcare professional to understand confidentiality policies if you have questions.
You may also want to understand insurance requirements if you are covered by another person’s health insurance plan (like a parent). You can request a Confidential Communications Request form so your healthcare visit information isn’t shared by the insurance company. Or you can visit a Title X (Title Ten) clinic, which provides free or low-cost birth control and reproductive health services, like STI/HIV testing and treatment, pregnancy tests, and counseling. These services are also confidential and don’t require insurance or insurance forms. In Rhode Island, minors (under 18) can be tested for STIs without parental permission.
It’s normal to feel nervous or embarrassed talking about sex with a doctor. But know that you’re not the only one. Doctors are talking with teens about sex all the time. So be honest and open, and don’t be afraid to say you don’t understand something and need it explained better.
Take a look at this video produced by the Rhode Island Department of Health of a 17-year-old visiting a health professional to discuss birth control and STI testing, showing how painless it can be to have these conversations and get tested for STIs to be safe.
