Southcoast Health System & Southcoast Hospitals Group | RAPPP | Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Community Assets

Ask A Peer

This is your chance to ask a question — and get an answer!

We encourage you to anonymously ask specific or general questions about sexuality, sexual health (such as contraception, sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy etc.) or relationships.

A trained RAPPP Peer Leader will respond to your question or address your concerns and the answer will be posted on the page within one week. RAPPP Health Educators at Southcoast Hospitals Group will reviewed all questions and answers before they are posted.

Answers to Your Questions

Question Received May 30, 2009

Where can I get a free pregnancy test?

Answer from RAPPP Peers:

In New Bedford:

New Bedford Family Planning
The Howland Place, 651 Orchard Street, Suite 100
New Bedford, MA Ê(sliding scale to free for youth) & CONFIDENTIAL
MUST schedule appointment

In Fall River:

In Taunton:

Sincerely,
RAPPP Peers

Question Received February 25, 2009

Where can I get birth control without insurance?

Answer from RAPPP Peers:

There are a number of over-the-counter birth control that can be accessed without insurance, such as condoms, condoms with spermicide (foams, suppositories etc). There is also the sponge that is once again available over-the-counter after several years.

Teens may get condoms from the RAPPP Youth Resource Center free of charge. Other options for birth control that must have a prescription can be obtained from the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center, 874 Purchase Street in downtown New Bedford, which holds clinics for adolescents a couple of times a month (call 508-992-6553 for hours and days) or the New Bedford Family Planning Clinic at Howland Place, 651 Orchard Street, Suite 100, where you can walk in anytime. Fees are on a sliding scale or free for teens.

Sincerely,
RAPPP Peers

Question Received November 22, 2006

Hi, I have an extremelly serious problem. I think I may have an STD. I am not certain how I received it, because I am always cautious in using protection. I am rather scared that I may have an STD. What do you suggest that I do?

Answer from RAPPP Peers:

If you think you may have an infection or an STD it is very important that you go to a clinic or doctor as soon as possible.

If you get tested and you do have an STD, you must be sure to take the medicine prescribed until it is gone — not just when the symptoms are no longer there. It is important to remember that if you taking birth control, there is always the chance that antibiotics lower the effectiveness of the pill and a backup method (such as a condom) should be used (a condom should be used EVERY time you have sex).

You are also responsible to inform anyone you have been with sexually because your partner/partners may also be infected. They must be tested as well. This may seem like an embarrassing topic to discuss, but you need to inform anyone who you have recently been with.

You can go to your private physician or you may go to a clinic such as New Bedford Family Planning or the Greater New Bedford Community Heath Center. The fee is either free or on a sliding scale according to what you can afford. And the visit is confidential. Please do not hesitate to go. This must be taken care of as soon as possible! It is better to know than to wait and see.

Thank you for writing, if we can help any further please contact us again!

Sincerely,
RAPPP Peers

Question Received October 10, 2006

Hi, I am having trouble with my now ex-girlfriend. We had been going out for about 3 months and I felt really strongly about her. I mean, I put everything in the relationship, and I don't think she appreciated that. She had also been coming off a pretty bad relationship, also, which I think made her vulnerable. Now that we are broken up, we have not spoken for about 2 weeks, and it's killing me. I may act like I don't care about her anymore, and I tell people that to hide it, but I do, like never before. She has told me that she never wants to see me again and that I am "dead" to her, and that hurts, especially knowing that I still care inside. I think that now, she is either going to try and get with someone else, that I happen to know, or her ex-boyfriend, which scares me so much, and if nothing else, that would hurt the most, like never before. I want to be friends with her, or even talk to her civilized, but I just don't know. And the thing is, I still love her. I just don't know what to do. Do I keep acting ruthless? Do I try and call her? What do you suggest I do?

Answer from RAPPP Peers:

I'm sorry to hear about you and your ex-girlfriend. Personally, I think to help you out, you should give her some space. If you really care about her, you won't want to make the situation worse. She may not be ready to talk right now. You mentioned in your e-mail that she just got out of a bad relationship. If she told you she didn't want you to call her, I would respect her wishes. Being a girl myself, I know when I'm upset I need some space to clear my head, so wait for her to call you.

Sometimes when people break up they say some things they don't mean. You may still care about her and she may still care about you as well. I know it's hard, but if i were you I would try not to focus on the break-up. Spending time with your friends, going to a movie, or maybe a football game may help to keep this off your mind.

It's hard for everyone after a break-up. Not everyone remains friends, even if they really want to. It takes maturity and being able to accept you're no longer are a couple. I hope you and she are able to become friends again one day. Only time will tell.

Thanks for writing to us. Good Luck, and if you need anything else write to us again.

Sincerely,
RAPPP Peers