Contraception | Planned Parenthood

Taking Care of Yourself and Being Mindful of Your Sexual Health

Taking care of yourself takes on a lot of guises and is not just about your fitness and nutrition. Being mindful of your sexual health is an important way to take care of yourself and to take care of your community as a whole. Taking care to plan your family and to prevent disease when possible is part of being a responsible member of the community. There are numerous other ways to take care of yourself as well, and whether it’s taking the time to find discount car insurance or making sure that your level of debt isn’t too high, it’s important for everyone to remember that they are important and they are a part of the world as whole.

There are many ways that people can help others to remember how important they are as well, Advocating safe sexual practices is a useful way to keep these issues in the public consciousness, in addition to making an impact in a much more personal way. Talk to the people you know about safe sex and about protecting their own health, safety and well being. If you find that someone around you is in suffering from a high load of stress, take the time to talk to that person about self care. Turning to risky sexual practices is one cry for attention that can have long term consequences for more than just the person in pain. It can be devastating for entire families.

Family planning is another way to get involved on a local and personal level. Taking the time to plan your reproductive future is one of the best things you can do for your family and for your community. To truly take care of yourself, you need to have the confidence and self love to have a plan and to stay with it.

Filed Under: Advice, Contraception, Parenthood Tagged With: Guttmacher Institute, Hetrick-Martin Institute, Human sexual activity, New York City, Reproductive health, Safe sex, Sexuality, Sexually transmitted disease

How to Practice Safe Sex

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Practicing safe sex is very important for young people who are just starting to experiment with sex, or for anyone who inexperienced or has multiple partners. Many sexual diseases and infections can be avoided if individuals learn to practice safe sex and develop habits that will help them make good choices.

Developing safe sex habits can be achieved in several ways, depending on the person’s lifestyle and exposure to outside factors. For instance, knowing what kinds of habits can cause a sexually transmitted disease can help a person tremendously when they’re faced with making a decision to become sexually active. Other safe sex practices can include:

- Never have unprotected sex. Use a condom each time you have a sexual encounter and decrease your chances of becoming infected with a disease or illness.

- Continually educate yourself on sex education issues and related topics. Staying ahead on what’s going on in medical developments in sexual health will help you make good, informed choices.

- Seek counseling or medical intervention if you need to. Don’t wait until there’s an issue before you seek outside advice. Be proactive in your sexual medical health by getting regular checkups and asking questions about any sexually-related issues that concern you.

- Before engaging in sex with a partner, find out more about their prior sex life by asking questions and communicating. Although it may feel or seem awkward at first, it’s better to do that than it would be to encounter a problem later.

Many potential problems can be avoided by individuals when they adopt safe sex practices. It’s not a one-time task, but it is something that should be a big part of the person’s life. By taking the time to adopt safe sex practices, they are creating lifestyle that will be more healthier and satisfying to them in their future.

Filed Under: Contraception, Sexual Life Tagged With: Safe sex, Sex education, Sexually transmitted disease

Diet and Exercise Can Boost Sexual Desire

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You’ve been wanting to improve your health for a while now, but you just can’t seem to find the time or the energy. Do you know that people who are more physically and mentally healthy actually have better sex lives? That’s probably a pretty good reason to get off the couch and start improving your health.

When you feel good about yourself and your appearance, you are much better equipped to feel better in your relationships and that includes your sex life. If you are exhausted or tired most of the time, that will effect your sexual energy in a negative way.

We all know that many of us find the road to getting a healthy body and mind is difficult. It is especially difficult if this goal involves starting to exercise, losing weight or reducing stress. All you have to do is grab your running shoes to get started! We know the rewards from exercise include the fact that you will feel and look better, both of which can only enhance romantic activities.

There is no proof that a good diet and sexual performance are linked; however a less than stellar diet can cause problems with your health that can affect your sex life in a negative way.

So how do you go about achieving more healthy lifestyles so you can enhance your romance and sex life? Simply eating a balanced diet and exercising each day is a simple road to follow. The two are basically the ying to each others yang - they work together in tandem.

Individuals who engage in regular exercise actually find that they have a high level of desire according to studies. These people exhibit high levels of confidence and often have a greater ability to achieve orgasm and greater satisfaction. Even a moderate level of daily exercise, say between 20 and 30 minutes per day, can help boost your sexual desire.

Filed Under: Advice, Contraception, Parenthood, Pregnancy Tagged With: Health, Human sexual activity, Libido, Sexology, Sexual dysfunction, Sexual intercourse, Sexuality, Weight loss

The Woes of Birth Control

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It’s understandable that health insurance companies elect to pay for Viagra for men, as a lack of Viagra can be quite distressing for those particular men who need the . . . er, assistance. However, for health insurance companies to willingly pay for Viagra, a recreational drug, and then deny drugs that are much more necessary for women, seems sexist. Taking birth control, for some women, is a matter of sexual health, whereas for others it is merely a tool in the process of having safe sex. Birth control can be used for medical reasons that are much more serious and necessary than Viagra, yet, even in these cases, insurance will not cover the cost of the medication.

For women with cystic, or poly cystic ovaries, birth control is not just a matter of sexual health, but a matter of overall well being. If a woman needs birth control in order to be reproductive, in order to keep herself fertile, then her insurance company should pay for these cheap pills, rather than forcing her down a road that ends with $15,000 sperm injections in the vain hopes of having babies from an infertile womb. The average birth control costs $420 per year. If a health insurance company pays for birth control for the average duration of medication for an average female in the United States, it would equal $10,080 (based upon the typical 24 years of use). Even women who hit menopause late in life would be less expensive to insure via birth control, rather than invitro fertilization, and that’s assuming that a woman would only require one attempt (typically, three attempts are required to induce pregnancy).

The dollars and cents don’t add up in the case of potentially infertile women as a result of no birth control. Though Planned Parenthood offers birth control to poor women at reduced rates, there is still no recourse for women who resent their placement, firmly beneath Viagra users on the totem of importance.

Filed Under: Contraception, Sexual Health, Sexual Life Tagged With: Birth control, Health, Health insurance, Insurance, United States

Sexual Health Information for Young Adults

Contrary to what your friends may have told you, many of the common beliefs of young adults these days are inaccurate. For example, the belief that women are able to sleep around with the same promiscuity as men. That is absolutely false, because of the emotional nature of sexual relationships for the women involved: so, even though a guy may be able to sleep around and never feel guilty or dirty, doesn’t mean that women will feel as content afterwards.

Another common misconception is that sex is necessary for young people in their developmental stages. Though it may be fun to experiment, abstaining from sexual relationships is actually a good choice for individuals who enjoy developing a fundamental sense of self worth and patience. Waiting for marriage may be out dated, but waiting for college is not. Sleeping around before a college age can lead to distraction from coursework, rumors at school, and STDs.

Information about sex, birth control, and general sexual health, can all be found at your local Planned Parenthood. The resources in Planned Parenthood are meant to aid and assist young people who are too embarrassed to seek more information alone. Birth control can be purchased at reduced rates, and sometimes it can be obtained for free. Also, condoms and other necessary tools are available, including STD tests and informational pamphlets.

If you or one of your friends is in a confusing situation and would like to discuss it with adults, Planned Parenthood can also assist young people in finding qualified medical professionals, therapists, and in arranging private conversations with police officers in cases of rape or incest. Even if it is intimidating, you should always value yourself enough to obtain the information that you need to make informed decisions about your own life. Planned Parenthood can help, as can your school counselors in most cases, but don’t count on your friends for sound advice!

Filed Under: Advice, Contraception, Sexual Health Tagged With: Planned Parenthood, Reproductive health, Sexuality, Sexually transmitted disease

Planned Parenthood: Excellent Advice for Sexual Health and Relationships

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Everyone has to acknowledge that relationships are a vital aspect of sexual health and healthy lifestyles. Whether romantic of familial, casual or passing, relationships help us to identify who we are in contrast to others. Planned Parenthood is a great resource for teenagers who are in confusing situations, and who need support with difficult interpersonal decisions. Advice online ranges from determining if a given relationship is good for you, to figuring out if you are safe in a relationship, and relationship responsibilities.

The following is a list of common concerns that teenagers have about sexual health, and whom to consult:
Sex, birth control (Planned Parenthood)
Divorce, abuse (School counselor)
Rape, sexual abuse (Police, or Planned Parenthood)

Any issue can be resolved for teenagers if they are willing to address it with the correct authorities on the topic. Though everyone would like to be happy in relationships, and to build trust and intimacy, some people have a lot of questions and barriers that need to be addressed with therapists before they can safely open up to new partners. People must learn what makes any relationship unhealthy, or healthy, for them on a personal level. Something that could be construed as abuse to one person might be welcome by another, but in general, healthy and unhealthy relationships are easy to determine, even if ‘abuse’ is not.

Relationships come with certain obligations and responsibilities that partners must acknowledge if they are to be successful. Following through with commitments is an important aspect of interpersonal and sexual health. Though STDs and birth control are easy to research online, a true authority on sexual health, like Planned Parenthood or a trusted counselor, is necessary to determine relationship boundaries if a teenager is uncertain of his or her role. With a little luck and a lot of work, most relationships can work out and be happy, that is, if they have the initial spark!

Filed Under: Advice, Contraception, Parenthood, Sexual Health Tagged With: Health, Planned Parenthood, Reproductive health, Sexual abuse

Tools for Parents

For many parents, the discussion of contraception, pregnancy, disease, or other topics related to sex can be an uncomfortable one. Many parents end up simply turning a blind eye to the behaviors of their children, just to avoid talking about it. However, the first step to safe sex and the health of children must be taken in the home. Children and teenagers should be taught that there will be consequences to their actions of having unsafe sex, especially if it is with multiple partners. Planned Parenthood clinics and their website have many tools available for parents to aid them in having this difficult conversation. A free, step-by-step tutorial is available online for parents emphasizing the best way to start the discussion, what specific points are the most necessary to emphasize, and when is the best time for children to learn this information. For example, the tutorial explains ways to lead into the topic, such as watching a favorite television program where a character begins puberty, or pointing a friend or family member who is pregnant and discussing how it happens. The website also features books and magazine articles, written by child psychologists and sex experts, that can be used by parents to best explain these important matters in frank and serious ways.

Planned Parenthood clinics also have counselors available to parents to help them through the conversations with their children. Additionally, some clinics offer group classes which parents and children can attend together to have questions answered in a comfortable and non-threatening setting. Without this crucial knowledge, children and teenagers may not ever learn the potential implications of having unprotected sex. Even parents who try to simply teach abstinence only may be surprised to find that their children are still engaging in unprotected sex. All parents should emphasize that unwanted pregnancy and many diseases can result from sex, and should offer the tools necessary to prevent their children from being unsafe

Filed Under: Contraception, Parenthood, Pregnancy Tagged With: Abstinence-only sex education, Birth control, Child, Sex education

Resources for Teens

Many teenagers have a lot of questions about sex, but don’t know who to turn to for honest and unbiased answers. If they don’t feel comfortable talking to their parents or other family members, or feel awkward discussing the matters with a health teacher or counselor, they may end up engaging in behaviors without understanding what may result. Planned Parenthood is a great resource for teenagers in this situation. They have information about hundreds of health topics available on the website, as well as counselors and staff members within the clinics who are trained in answering questions on any health-related topic. The website is a great place to turn first because it lists topics alphabetically in great detail, as well as commonly asked questions and answers. It is a very non-threatening way for teens to get more information, since it is completely private and doesn’t even require an account to access the resources. Most of the information presented is also done in a way that is easier for teens to understand and relate to, so they don’t feel like they are talking to a stuffy older person who doesn’t understand their situation.

For a more one-on-one experience, or for questions that are not answered on the Planned Parenthood website, teens can visit a clinic where someone on staff can discuss more personal matters privately and confidentially. Most clinics do not require parental consent, where state law allows, for counseling and contraception, so teens do not have to worry about bringing a parent or getting a lecture. While the clinic policy does encourage honesty between parents and teens, their confidentiality policy protects the information discussed and will not allow anything to be released without the consent of the patient. Planned Parenthood is a great resource for teens to get straightforward answers to difficult questions in a very comfortable and open-minded setting.

Filed Under: Contraception, Parenthood, Prenatal Care Tagged With: Adolescence, Planned Parenthood, Reproductive health

Women’s Health and Maintenance

Routine maintenance is one of the best ways for women to stay healthy. Ensuring that women have yearly checkups with a physician who is well trained in women’s issues can help prevent disease as well as catch symptoms early. There are many different aspects of women’s health, including menopause, infertility, breast, ovarian, and cervical cancer screenings, menstruation, yearly pap screening tests, and vaginal problems. All of these issues are very important to women’s health, and should be maintained.

Women usually begin menopause between the age of 40 and 50, and it signifies the end of menstruation. Women first begin to notice gradual changes, such as changes in emotions and desires, mood swings, hot flashes and excessive sweating, and vaginal pain. It can be a difficult change for many since it can cause unwanted changes in the body. Infertility can affect women of any age, and can be a frustrating experience for those wanting to conceive. Planned Parenthood clinics offer testing and procedures to help couples with conception problems. Cancer screenings are crucial because they can help detect irregularities early, so cancer is able to be treated quickly and effectively. Women can also watch for signs and symptoms of these cancers with at-home checkups as well, such as checking for breast lumps frequently, or watching for irregular vaginal discharge. Problems with menstruation can be controlled, and Planned Parenthood clinics have services available to assist women who are having trouble with their monthly cycles. Additionally, a yearly pap smear can detect problems with the cervix, so maintaining a routine with this screening is also very important to women’s health. The cervix is an important part of the reproductive system, so watching for abnormalities is crucial to maintaining the ability to have children. All issues related to women’s health are important, and can be managed and treated effectively at Planned Parenthood clinics.

Filed Under: Advice, Contraception, Pregnancy

The Early Beginnings of Planned Parenthood

Planned Parenthood was started in Brooklyn, New York in 1916, when Margaret Sanger worked with several other women to start the first clinic in America that offered birth control. At that time, women could not receive birth control because they had virtually no rights; they couldn’t even have their own bank accounts or vote. There was also a series of laws passed in the late 1800s that stated that family planning was obscene. However, Sanger’s own mother had 11 children and died at 40 years old. She also worked as a nurse, so she worked directly with women who were suffering the health effects of being unable to use birth control. When the first clinic opened, women would line up outside, sometimes for hours just to obtain contraception. Sanger dealt with the legal backlash, including police raids, but continued with her pursuits to offer these necessary services to women.

In 1936, 18 years after the first clinic opened, Sanger was arrested for obtaining contraceptive products illegally. However, the judge on the case reviewed the data and ruled that the benefits of contraception were helping to avoid unwanted pregnancy as well as protect women’s health. A year later, the American Medical Association began to recognize contraception as a crucial part of health care, and women were then able to receive birth control without worry of legal repercussions. In the 1960s, with help from government funding, Planned Parenthood played a key role in the creation of intrauterine devices and the birth control pill, both of which are widely used for contraception by women. In fact, just four years after its creation, 25% of married women under age 45 had used the birth control pill to assist in family planning. Planned Parenthood was one of the first voices in women’s sexual and health rights, and continued to offer services to women that many physicians would not.

Filed Under: Advice, Contraception, Parenthood Tagged With: Family planning, Health care, Planned Parenthood