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Birth Control Film

September 15, 2010 By

Birth control film is a form of spermicide that is placed in the woman’s vagina before sex. It is a small flexible square that turns into a gel to block the woman’s cervix and destroy the sperm. It works best when used with a condom or another form of birth control.

Facts about Birth Control Film

  • It is small and easy to carry with you.
  • It is available in drug stores without a prescription. It causes few health problems.
  • You must wait at least 15 minutes for the film to dissolve before you have sex.
  • Film only lasts for 1 hour.
  • It sometimes irritates the penis or vagina.
  • It does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.

Filed Under: Birth Control/Protection

Protection

September 15, 2010 By

How much do you know about sexually transmitted diseases?

Most of us don’t know as much as we should.  Some people assume that if they don’t physically see symptoms, an infection or disease is not present.  Perhaps you know a lot about STD’s but think that you have nothing to worry about.The truth is that everyone who is sexually active is at risk for contracting STD’s.

The facts show that one out of every five Americans carries a sexually transmitted disease.

For example, 4 million people are infected with chlamydia each year!

It is important to be informed. If you think that you have an STD, it is important to contact a medical professional immediately. If you need help finding a free or low-cost clinic, please call us and we will find the right resource to fit your needs.  If you choose not to call, check out the Hotlines section for a listing of services.

Filed Under: Birth Control/Protection Tagged With: , , , , ,

Abstinence

September 15, 2010 By

 

Abstinence can mean different things to different people.  For some, abstinence means not participating in any sexual activity.  For others, it means only abstaining from sexual intercourse.

It is important to define what abstinence means to you.

How effective is abstinence?

Abstinence is 100% effective in preventing sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy.

Facts about abstinence

  • You don’t have to go to the clinic to get it!
  • It’s free and everyone can do it!
  • Girls – You don’t have to worry about getting pregnant.
  • Guys – You don’t have to worry about becoming a Dad.

Is abstinence realistic?

Yes!
You may face peer pressure, pressure from your partner or pressure from yourself, but it is possible.  The decision to have or not have sex is always up to you.  It should always be your decision.  If you feel pressured, don’t go through with it.  Usually, people who have sex because they were pressured into it will regret it later. Your body is yours – don’t let anyone decide what you do with your body!

Filed Under: Birth Control/Protection

Could I be pregnant?

September 15, 2010 By

I’m Pregnant

If you’re pregnant or think you might be, we want you to know that you are not alone. You should not feel as if there is no person you can turn to.   Please feel free to call us and we will be happy to talk to you.

There are probably a thousand questions going through your mind right now, things like:

  • How will my parents react?
  • How will my body change?
  • How will my friends react?
  • How will this affect my education?
  • Where can I go for help?
  • What will the “dad” think?

Here are some things to consider…

  • First, make sure you are pregnant; make an appointment at a health center (see the hotlines/resource page for additional assistance of where to go).
  • Talk about it with someone you trust.
  • Learn about all of your options and get the facts.  If you are pregnant you have options, think of each of them and decide which is best for you.
  • Consider your beliefs and your resources.
  • Make a decision and take the next step soon.  Try to deal with it right away.  This is not something that will go away; you need to act, for your health and safety and the baby.
  • Reach out to trusted friends/family and keep talking.  You need a system of support.  Even if it is difficult for you, you can feel good about facing your pregnancy and acting responsibly.  It takes strength and courage to make good choices during difficult times.
  • You probably want to let the father of your baby know that you are pregnant, if you have not already told him.  Have you thought of how you are going to tell him? Remember that he will be scared also, and he might not give you the reaction that you are expecting.  He may ask, “Are you sure I’m the father?” He might be so shocked that he will not be supportive and come across as upset.  He is just as scared as you are.  Try not to get angry and discuss together, what both of you should do.

Filed Under: Pregnancy Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Relationships: What is “Healthy”?

September 15, 2010 By

Everyone is entitled to have a healthy relationship. There are certain expectations that one should have while in a relationship. It is sometimes hard to set boundaries in a relationship but this is a necessary process. These are examples of things that are contained in a healthy relationship.

Physically

  • Respect and Communication (discuss and be clear on your physical boundaries)
  • No abuse (verbal, physical, or sexual)
  • Space; you and your partner can do things without each other and hang out with other people without you or your partner getting upset, accusing the other of cheating, etc.
  • Comfortable with each other physically.
  • Trust; no spying on each other, checking pagers, or having other people give “reports”
  • Attraction

Emotionally

  • Respect
  • No put-downs especially when fighting or angry at one another.
  • Comfortable communicating with each other
  • No manipulation or blaming
  • Communication (if necessary talk about how you communicate when you fight and when you are not fighting.)
  • Love
  • Friendship
  • Security
  • Understanding
  • Caring
  • NOT being “over jealous”

Sexually

  • Respect
  • Trust and honesty
  • Communication (talk about expectations of what you’re willing or not willing to do, safe sex, history, and consequences.
  • No pressure
  • Comfortable to say yes and no at all times to any activity

You have a right to…

  • Be alone
  • Express your ideas
  • Express your feelings, even if they’re negative
  • Choose your work and your religion
  • Live without fear
  • Have time to yourself
  • Spend your own money however you want to
  • Get emotional support from your family and friends
  • Choose your friends – men and women
  • Express your strengths, abilities, and talents
  • Decide if you want to participate in sexual acts or not.

Filed Under: Sex and Love

HIV/AIDS

September 29, 2009 By

 

Young people in the United States are at persistent risk for HIV infection. This risk is especially notable for youth of minority races and ethnicities.

Continual HIV prevention outreach and education efforts, including programs on abstinence and on delaying the initiation of sex, are required as new generations replace the generations that benefited from earlier prevention strategies.

  • In 2004, an estimated 4,883 people ages 13-24 received a diagnosis of HIV infection or AIDS, representing about 13% of the people given a diagnosis that year.
    Centers for Disease Control
  • African-Americans were disproportionately affected by HIV infection, accounting for 55% of all HIV infections reported among young persons ages 13-24.
    Centers for Disease Control
  • In 2004, an estimated 7,761 young people were living with AIDS, a 42% increase since 2000, when 5,457 young people were living with AIDS.
    Centers for Disease Control

Filed Under: Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Syphilis

September 23, 2009 By

Syphilis is caused by a bacterium called Treponema pallidum. The bacterium can move throughout the body, damaging many organs over time.

How is it spread?

Syphilis spreads from the sores of an infected person to the mucous membranes of the genital area, the mouth, or the anus of a sexual partner. It also can pass through broken skin on other parts of the body.

What are the symptoms?

The first symptom of primary syphilis is called a chancre. The chancre can appear 10 days to 3 months after exposure, but it generally appears within 2-6 weeks. Because the chancre is ordinarily painless and sometimes occurs inside the body, it may go unnoticed. It is usually found on the part of the body exposed to bacteria, such as the penis, the vulva, or the vagina. It can also develop on the cervix, tongue, lip, or other parts of the body.

The chancre disappears within a few weeks whether or not treatment is obtained. If not treated during the primary stage, the disease may progress through three other stages.

Secondary syphilis is marked by a skin rash that appears anywhere from 3 to 6 weeks after the chancre appears. The rash may cover the whole body or appear only in a few areas, such as the palms of the hands or soles of the feet. Because active bacteria are present in theses sores, any physical contact with the broken skin of an infected person may spread the infection at this stage. The rash usually heals within several weeks or months. Other symptoms may also occur such as a mild fever, fatigue, headache, sore throat, patchy hair loss, and swollen lymph glands throughout the body. The signs of secondary syphilis may come and go over the next 1 to 2 years.

If untreated, syphilis then lapses into a latent stage during which the disease is no longer contagious and no symptoms are present. Many people who are not treated will suffer no further consequences of the disease. However, approximately one-third of those infected go on to develop the complications of late syphilis. In this stage, the bacteria damage the heart, eyes, brain, nervous system, bones, joints, or almost any other part of the body. This stage can last for years or even decades. Late syphilis can result in mental illness, blindness, other neurological problems, heart disease, and death.

How is it diagnosed?

There are three ways to diagnose syphilis

  • A doctor’s recognition of it’s signs and symptoms,
  • Microscopic identification of syphilis bacteria
  • Blood tests.

How is it treated?

Syphilis is usually treated with penicillin administered by injection.

Filed Under: Sexually Transmitted Diseases Tagged With: , , , , ,
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