First time to post in this forum, have a couple of questions

Hello ladies of the women's issues forum.. I don't believe I've ever posted here, but I lurked all over hipforums for about 3 years now..

Anyways,I have a question and this is the best place I can think of to get an answer.


I just recently found out that my baby sister is no longer a virgin and wants to get on birth control. She didn't tell me herself, she told a cousin who's my age, because well my sister and I aren't as close as I'd like for us to be (but a 5 year age gap can do that) Apparently my cousin told her she couldn't take her to get on it, and to talk to my mom about it. But my sister probably hasn't and won't talk to my mom. And I was/am the same way.. I love my mom, and it's not that she's hard to talk to.. it's just that she's mom, and you don't talk to your mom about sex, you talk to peers.. be it friends/cousins/ whatever...

Anyways, I thought that since I also need to get on birth control, it would be a good idea to make each of us an appointment at the clinic..

But I was curious if my doing that could get me in trouble in anyway, due to the fact that my sister is only 16.. I don't know what the cut off age is for dr./patient confidentiality, and if she'd still be considered a minor in that respect, since she is a minor in every other legal way.. And I don't want any repercussions for trying to do the right thing.. I don't know anything about the laws and such regarding women's issues.. (I know they might vary from state to state, so if it helps, we live in Texas)

I think it's wonderful that she wants to take the necessary steps to take care of herself and start making her own decisions about her body, and I feel that as her older -and only- sister, I should set a good example by going with her.. especially since i've already been sexually active for a while, and my going to get a physical and to get on bc is long overdue... i know, i'm a bad girl.. and so far i've been lucky, but i know that eventually that luck can and will run out..


Also, I don't think my sister has ever been to the gynecologist before... I have been, but it's been a long time - since way before I ever started having sex, and I honestly don't remember how I reacted.. and I'm not quite sure how she'll react.. All I know is that your first time can be a little scary, so if there is any adivce you can give me on how to prepare her for what to expect when we go, it would be greatly appreciated.


Thank you in advance ladies.

:::smooches:::

<3 stykz

 

There is no age limit when it comes to confidentiality, but there may be a parental consent needed. Why can't she talk to your mom about it? Would she freak? Could she perhaps understand? Please let your sister know that she needs to use condoms until she is on the pill...

 

I would check with planned parenthood in your state. They can tell you the age of notification. In some states a 16 year old can get birth control without needing parental consent.

 

really? that's just insane!! I was getting birth control from the free clinic at 15...or maybe it was 14, it's been a long time ago.


regardless, she should be seeing a gyn every year if she's menstruating and/or sexually active, most definitely. Maybe she can have Mom take her to the gyn, and ask them during the exam, while Mom sits in the waiting room?

 

Thanks ladies, I really appreciate the advice.