Reproductive Health | Planned Parenthood

Information About Planned Parenthood, and Their Services

As the leading national reproductive health care provide, and the leading sexual health care provider and advocate, Planned Parenthood is well known throughout the nation, though often with misconceptions about the agenda and mission of Planned Parenthood. Sexual health care services that are vital in our communities for the well being of young men and women are provided by Planned Parenthood now, and have been provided for more than 94 years, already. Information about sexuality, and about sex education, is also available for those who need advice and counseling. In the current year, Planned Parenthood employs more than 30,000 people, including both volunteers, and paid employees.

More than five million people are treated and advised by Planned Parenthood’s trained and caring staff. Sexual health and reproductive health care are important facets of communities, and Planned Parenthood has provided these necessary services so that those who are disadvantaged have access to equal medical care. The Planned Parenthood Federation of America founded the international branch, the International Planned Parenthood Federation, which now serves more than ten million patients annually.

The core service that is most vital for the teens who access Planned Parenthood is contraception and the pre-requisite education, information, and care. Nearly 11 million services were provided back in 2008 to more than five million people. This is believed to have prevented nearly 600,000 unwanted pregnancies. Most visitors of Planned Parenthood facilities are living below the national poverty line, which makes Planned Parenthood their only option for medical attention for sexual-related care. In addition to the great works being done by the core branches of Planned Parenthood, there are an additional 87 affiliates, which makes 912 offices nationally where people can seek help and attention. Providing a good sexual education for visitors is a vital role for a community member, as is providing services that people could not otherwise afford.

Filed Under: Sexual Health, Sexual Orientation Tagged With: Abortion, Family planning, Health, Health care, Planned Parenthood, Reproductive health, Sex education, United States

Medication Abortion Versus Surgical: Planned Parenthood Options Debated

Planned Parenthood has publicly stated that medication abortions are the preferred method of most women, as they are less intrusive, and considerably more private. However, the “Des Moines Register” believes that the surgical option is being overlooked due to misconceptions about the pain, bleeding, and invasive-ness of the procedure. The truth as the “Des Moines Register” reports it is that medication-induced abortions are far worse, being more protracted, uncomfortable, and causing bleeding for up to two weeks for most women who choose this method. Also, women who choose this method may see the child’s body pass in their own toilet, rather than having a quick and formal surgical abortion that prevents such discomforts.

The real question that the “Register” has failed to ask is: how many abortions, either medication-induced or surgical, has Planned Parenthood prevented through their birth control services and sexual health education? Though the gruesome details of abortions make for better readerships for cheesy tabloids like the “Register,” the truth is that Planned Parenthood is first and foremost interested in caring for people, and helping them to PLAN for eventual PARENTHOOD. Plan, as in prevent, until the time is right. Planned Parenthood is interested in preventing the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, providing affordable or free services to community members who live below the poverty line, and assisting those with surgical medical needs.

In addition to critically analyzing practices that Planned Parenthood necessarily offers, by public demand, to local communities, the “Register” has also stepped on their own feet. Initially supporting Planned Parenthood in an opinion piece about telemedicine and abortion, the “Register” back-stepped when their conservative readership ignited and threatened to cancel subscriptions. This caused the newspaper to swallow its pride, swallow it’s true opinion, and write what the local nay-sayers would have them write. Is that true journalism? Since when does a newspaper care about public interest? I thought they were all bought by Big Business, already!

Filed Under: Sexual Health, Sexual Orientation Tagged With: Abortion, Birth control, Clinics and Services, Des Moines Register, Health, Planned Parenthood, Reproductive health, United States

Abortion Clinic Plot Targeted at Family Planning Facility

: Image via Wikipedia

There must be a proud Concord mama out there somewhere. A man from Concord, whom most believe is mentally unstable, plotted to attack what he called “an abortion clinic” that was actually a family planning facility, Planned Parenthood. Though many people think of Planned Parenthood as an abortion clinic, in truth, it is a family planning facility for teenagers, particularly those who live below the poverty line. Last Monday, a man from South Piedmont was charged with a plot to bomb the local Planned Parenthood facility and seen in federal court, in Greensboro.

This A-class character who sought to literally explore a facility filled with pregnant women, young teenagers, and impoverished patients and the nurses who assist them, used a popular social media site to encourage others to help. Mr. Justin Carl Moose, a regular Facebook user, probably has the CEO of Facebook re-questioning their choice to make Facebook public, rather than just for college kids. Moose encouraged people on his page to use extreme violence against those in need of Planned Parenthood, and those working there. Justin Moose also provided diagrams, pictures, and instructions for the design and creation of homemade bombs, which he didn’t realize could be made by young boys to explode cats, in addition to the Planned Parenthood. His short sightedness could have lead to the deaths of innocent, random community members, in addition to helpless, impoverished young people. Mrs. Moose, Justin’s mother, must be extremely proud of her son.

The website on Facebook had enough damaging information that investigations were also launched on other people who interacted with Moose. The only good thing to come out of this horrific scare is that perhaps as many as four shady characters have been red flagged for further investigation, in addition to Moose. Moose may face as much as 20 years in jail for his terror plot, as well as a fine of $250,000.

Filed Under: Sexual Health, Sexual Orientation Tagged With: Abortion, Clinics and Services, Facebook, Family planning, Health, Justin Moose, Planned Parenthood, Reproductive health

Sexual Health and Your Dog: Is There a Planned Parenthood for Your Pooch?

You may know everything there is to know about Planned Parenthood, already. With all of that information you are well informed, and ready to assist young females and the odd young male who need help obtaining contraceptives. Well, you may begin to wonder, what sexual health assistance is there for your pooch? If you live below the poverty line, and you happen to have (a very fertile) black lab named Buddy, what can you do to prevent pooch pregnancy? Though it is far less important than the question of assisting young people, it remains a question that effects communities, as stray pets and excess puppies become a burden on counties, and are left to be euthanized.

Another question you may be asking yourself now, is, why would someone impoverished need a pet? Well, the answer to that question should be apparent: everyone needs and deserves love, and the love of a pet may be all that an individual has available. Does it then become an issue worth considering? Impoverished pooch pregnancy may seem like a small burden on communities, leading to cardboard signs outside of Costco, offering free puppies to anyone who doesn’t mind knowing a proper breed for the dog. However, when considered nationally, the cost of abandoned, stray, and re-claimed pets from neglectful owners, is a staggering expense for communities. In many countries including Turkey, stray animals are considered rightful owners of territories, like Alley A, for example. In other countries, stray pets are fed by generous community members who have scraps, such as in Ukraine. In Mongolia, stray dogs are often killed en masse before winter sets in, to prevent them from suffering and freezing to death.

Here in America, the question of strays is limited. Without a facility, like a Planned Parenthood for pooches, though, the problem may become an expense that is too great to bear.

Filed Under: Sexual Health, Sexual Orientation Tagged With: Buddy, Costco, Mongolia, Pet, Planned Parenthood, Reproductive health, Turkey, Ukraine

Are you Ready for Pregnancy?

: Image via Wikipedia

Planned Parenthood is a health and pregnancy resource center that provides information to women, not only for themselves, but for their babies as well. Anyone who has questions about sexual health, reproductive health, or having a baby can rely on Planned Parenthood for assistance and guidance. One of the most important questions that women often find themselves asking is whether or not they are ready to have a baby. If you become pregnant unexpectedly or if you are thinking about becoming pregnant intentionally, you need to consider what it means to have a child.

There are many costs when you first have a child, including medical bills during the pregnancy. You’ll also find yourself spending money as you prepare your home for the arrival of the baby. You will need to have baby furniture, bedding, baby clothing, food and diapers ready for when your baby is born. You should be healthy when you are pregnant, and so it’s important to think about and improve your overall health if you are thinking about having a baby. Are you healthy enough to bring a new life into the world? Are you ready for everything that it takes to give birth to and raise a child? You also have to think about who will care for your baby if you can’t provide full-time care yourself. Perhaps you have family or close friends who will help you. Maybe you’ll need to look at daycare and in-home care options.

There are definitely a lot of things that you have to think about when it comes to having a baby. You will need to make some pretty powerful decisions if you get pregnant. You are entitled and empowered to make the decisions regarding your pregnancy, and be sure to weigh all the options.

Filed Under: Advice, Parenthood, Prenatal Care Tagged With: Planned Parenthood, Pregnancy, Reproductive health

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

Who Plans for Parenthood, Anyway?

As the name implies, Planned Parenthood is often a resource for young adults who need help with sexual health issues, birth control, and other sex-related problems. What most people don’t acknowledge, though, is that Planned Parenthood does not actually help kids to plan to become parents: it is merely a resource for making informed personal decisions concerning one’s future, like, whether or not to become a parent at the age of 14.

People who go to Planned Parenthood are often embarrassed or worried about running into friends while they are there. In the unlikely case that your friends are there, too, you can count on them being equally embarrassed and private about the situation. More and more, teenagers are being open and even boastful about their sexual prowess and conquests. This new characteristic in the relationships of minors has lead to angry YouTube videos, libelous Facebook posts, and hateful, public messages. This aspect of sexual health is something that counselors are happy to help teenagers deal with, especially if the negative feedback is hurting them emotionally.

Sex is an activity meant for consenting adults. However, due to the popular production of media sources advertising sex for young people, it has become almost acceptable for kids as young as junior high to begin ‘fooling around.’ Sexual health information is now covered as early as 5th grade for children, because adults are worried about youthful encounters that could leave children perplexed and unprotected.

The best thing that parents and counselors can do for young adults who are experimenting is to give them accurate sexual health information, birth control, and a ride to the nearest Planned Parenthood. Issues should be discussed as openly as the kid’s age will allow, so that there are no understandings. The better informed kids are about aids and Hepatitis, the less likely they are to do anything rash and dangerous.

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

Planned Parenthood: Excellent Advice for Sexual Health and Relationships

: Image by Getty Images via @daylife

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

The Methodology of Birth Control at Planned Parenthood

: Image via Wikipedia

For thousands of years, people all over the globe have been using contraceptives and birth control. The famed Marquis de Sade once wrote a love poem . . . to his lamb intestine condom. Women in ancient times were infamous for carrying on affairs while their husbands were away, but only if they were already pregnant by their husbands. Stories and lores of various creams and leaves that could prevent pregnancy, and the types of kissing that were thought to produce it, have colored literature for millennia.

Currently, less colorful, but much more effective methods, are being used. Planned Parenthood is an excellent source of information on birth control, especially for teens who need assistance in choosing an appropriate medication. As for contraceptives, there are also links on Planned Parenthood that contain reliable information about sexual health, condoms, and alternative contraceptives. Search online for Planned Parenthood/sexual health information and you will discover endless links of researched and tried information, as well as live chats with qualified counselors for teenagers.

Planned Parenthood advises people to research every method of contraceptive, and every kind of birth control, before making a selection. The method that is easiest for you is the one you are most likely to use consistently. Because sexual health is important to Planned Parenthood, contraceptives and birth control are made available for little or no money to teens who have no resources. This means that no one ever has to get pregnant due to a lack of funding for protection.

From fertility awareness and cycle planning, to birth control shots, vaginal rings, and patches, methods of birth control other than the traditional pill are readily available for female sexual health and protection. Other, less popular methods of birth control at Planned Parenthood include the sponge, IUD, outer course, spermicide, withdrawal, and permanent sterilization.

Filed Under: Parenthood, Sexual Health Tagged With: Birth control, Health, Planned Parenthood, Reproductive health

Opposition to Planned Parenthood a Contradiction

Planned Parenthood offers medical services to some of the most disadvantaged people in society. Looking at the organization from this standpoint, it is difficult to understand the amount of opposition to the organization. Until the word abortion is brought up.

Planned Parenthood was a trailblazer. The organization began as the American Birth Control League and can trace its origins to a clinic founded by Margaret Sanger in 1916. Women did not even have the right to vote at that time. Since women did not enjoy the full privilege of citizenship it is not surprising that the federal government did not recognize a woman’s reproductive rights.

Advocating change put Planned Parenthood into the crosshairs of conservative politicians and religious organizations. Birth control remains taboo in the eyes of the Catholic Church, and even though Protestants and Catholics remained divided on many issues, a hatred of abortion and Planned Parenthood is not one of them.

The anti-abortion movement can trace its roots to religious origins. When religion mixes with extremism the results often become deadly. Planned Parenthood clinics have been targeted by pipe bombs, and doctors that perform abortions have been murdered by assassins.

Once religion becomes part of a debate facts no longer matter to some. It is doesn’t take studying morality in an online masters program to see the contradiction of using murder to prevent abortion.

While the abortion debate cannot be settled by fact alone, researchers have found that there are social benefits to legal abortion. The popular book “Freakonomics” discussed studies that showed a decrease in crime rates in societies that have legalized abortion. Legal abortion also prevents the practice of women seeking illegal abortions in unsafe or unsanitary conditions. Antiabortion advocates could argue that these benefits are outweighed by ending the lives of fetus. What cannot be debated is that the use of contraception decreases the amount of unwanted pregnancies.

Filed Under: General, Parenthood Tagged With: Health, Planned Parenthood, Reproductive health