Ask Sam letter

Asker

To Sam

Implant

Hi I've had the birth control implant for almost a year now. I do not like it one bit and was wondering if I could get it removed without my parents finding out. I'm 17 years old.
Ask Sam

Sam

Hi there,

There are lots of different ways to prevent pregnancy and the contraceptive implant is just one of them. It can work very well for most people but everyone is different and it might not be what you are looking for.

You can get the implant put in and taken out without your parents knowing – even if you’re under 16 – as long as the doctor feels you are old enough to make that decision yourself. At 16 years and older you’re able to make medical decisions for yourself. You won’t need your parents' permission. This means you can decide if you tell them or not.

If you’re worried about confidentiality it’s always best to ask your doctor first, they’ll usually be happy to explain. We have some helpful information about it on our page about visiting your doctor.

I hope that helps, and of course our counsellors are always here for you to talk confidentially about what’s going on. If you’ve got more specific questions you can also try Ask Brook, they’re a confidential service specifically focussed on sexual health.

Take care,
Sam

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