You don’t have to be a certain age to buy condoms. You can purchase them from drugstores, Planned Parenthood health centers, and even some grocery stores.
If you want to keep your purchase secret, use cash and throw away the receipt. This can help you avoid questions from a suspicious cashier or parent.
Age Requirements
Many people, especially teenagers, have a hard time buying condoms. They often get turned away at stores and pharmacies because they are too young to purchase the contraceptives. They also have a hard time getting them in bulk because they are often too expensive. Some teens have even been shamed for trying to buy condoms to prevent sexually transmitted diseases.
The age of consent varies by state in the US and around the world. It is typically considered to be 18 years old, but it can be as low as 16 in some countries. There is no legal age requirement to buy condoms, but there are some laws that regulate when someone can have sex.
In order to combat rising STI rates, California has recently introduced legislation that would require all high schools to provide free condoms. The new law is a step in the right direction, as teens in California are some of the most at-risk groups for STIs like HIV and chlamydia.
Some schools have started to address the issue of insufficient condom availability by starting to distribute them to students. Planned Parenthood has even opened centers in 50 high schools across Los Angeles county, giving teenagers access to birth control, condoms and other reproductive health care services. The program has been successful in increasing student contraceptive use, according to studies.
Buying Condoms and Age Restrictions
Condoms are a form of birth control that protects against pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). They work by blocking sperm from entering the body. They come in many different textures, sizes, and colors. You can find them at grocery stores, pharmacies, convenience stores, drugstores, and even in some public toilets. There is no age restriction when it comes to buying condoms in the United States. However, the legal age to have sex (sometimes referred to as the “age of consent”) will vary by state.
Teenagers face multiple barriers to purchasing condoms, according to Ria Babaria and Fiona Lu, co-policy directors of GENup, a youth-led social justice organization in California. For example, they say that some teens have been shamed at the store for requesting condoms or have been unable to afford them.
To combat these barriers, Menjivar’s bill would require high schools to provide free condoms for their students. It would also allow adolescents to confidentially request them online and receive a package of 10 condoms at home every month. This is similar to Planned Parenthood programs that offer free condoms for teens ages 12 to 19. The proposal will also cover the cost of human papillomavirus, or HPV, vaccines. It is expected to be considered by the state Senate Health Committee next week. If it is passed, it would take effect in 2023.
Buying Condoms Online
Buying condoms online is a quick, easy and discrete way to pick up a pack. You can even choose to have them mailed directly to your house or the address of a friend (just be sure to warn them ahead of time). You can also make multiple purchases over 30 days. Just be sure to use a credit card instead of a debit card so that the charge won’t appear on your bank statement.
You can buy condoms at a regular drugstore or supermarket, at Planned Parenthood health centers and other community health centers, from many hospitals, and in vending machines in some public places. You may also find condoms at some churches and some teen clinics or HIV/AIDS prevention centers. Some schools have programs in place to hand out condoms to students.
But some teens have reported being shamed or turned away by the person at the register when trying to purchase condoms. These experiences led Ria Barbaria and Fiona Lu, two high school students from California, to push legislation to require high schools in the state to provide free condoms to their students. The bill would also cover the cost of human papillomavirus, or HPV, vaccinations for students. It’s a long shot, but it could help change the conversation around sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy among teenagers.
Buying Condoms at a Pharmacy
You can buy condoms at most drugstores, Planned Parenthood health centers, community health centers, some supermarkets and in washroom stalls (vending machines). You can also purchase them online. The price varies, depending on the brand and features. Some brands are available in flavored or colored versions, while others have special textures to provide the most realistic feel. Condoms are usually packaged in packages of three and can be purchased for $2 to $6.
If you are a teen, you can get condoms for free from many local sex education programs and sex clinics. Many schools also have condoms available for purchase from the school nurse.
It is a good idea to always carry some extra condoms with you when going out. You never know when you might run into someone you know, or if your pack of condoms is about to expire! If you are worried about buying them in a store, try to go to the pharmacy early in the day or late at night when other people are less likely to be there.
Some pharmacies keep their condoms locked up in the store, citing concerns about theft. This is annoying for teens and can make them reluctant to seek out the protection they need. Some stores have a dedicated sex box that can be found in the back of the store, or you can ask your pharmacist to keep a supply at the counter.
