Family Planning Services may include any or all of the following:
- Information on the use, effectiveness, and known risks of the contraceptive methods available: including abstinence, condoms, oral contraceptives (birth control pills), Depo-Provera injections, Patch, Nuva Ring, intrauterine devices (IUD), diaphragm, spermicides (foam, jelly, suppositories and film), natural family planning, sterilization (vasectomy and tubal ligation), and other methods. Supplies to prevent pregnancy are available in clinic or by prescription.
- Family and health history.
- Physical examination.
- Check ups for men and pelvic examination and pap smear for women.
- Measurement of height, weight and blood pressure.
- Emergency Contraception is available
- Urine pregnancy test if needed.
- Venipuncture for the purpose of testing for HIV and syphilis.
- Laboratory tests, some collected by venipuncture or finger stick as medically indicated.
- Assessment of nutritional status.
- Assessment of psychosocial needs.
- Education and counseling
- Management of minor contraceptive complications.
- Management of certain minor vaginal and urinary tract conditions.
- Referral to appropriate resources based on needs identified.
Benefits: Family Planning Services provide men and women with the means and opportunity to determine the number and spacing of their children. Protecting against unplanned pregnancy also prevents the complications that may be associated with pregnancy. Health screening tests, such as breast exams, blood pressure readings, hematocrits, weights, pap smears, and pelvic examinations, are done while providing family planning services. Certain methods of birth control (condoms) are also protective against sexually transmitted diseases and infertility.
Risks: The most common risks relate to side effects from the contraceptive used, and usually, the risk is far less than the risks associated with unplanned pregnancy. These risks will be explained when the specific method of contraception is identified.