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In Memory.

Teens, Western Wyoming Family Planning can help you!

 

 

     This page has a lot of information about health problems that can
face teenagers. Please use the navigational links on this page to find
the info you need:

 

Why Family Planning?

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  • Family Planning is able to offer services to teens for:
    • Birth Control
    • Reproductive Care
    • Pregnancy Tests
    • STD Testing & Treatment
  • These services can be offered to the teen without the need for parental consent.
    • (Public Law 91-572, WY State 35-4-131,42-5-101)
  • Fees are based on a sliding scale, based on wage.  We ask for a small donation, but teens are considered low income. (see our Pricing Page)
  • Teen pregnancy is down because more teens are using abstinence (delaying sexual relations) and working on future goals or they are using birth control (which can be obtained from programs such as family planning).
  • Services are offered to both female and male patients.

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 Exams

  • Wellness exams
  • Reproductive – Pap (check for cervical cancer)
  • Deferred – three months of pills or one injection of DMPA before pap
  • STI/STD – sexually transmitted disease testing
  • Exams are available for both male and female patients.

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 Birth Control/Pregnancy

  • Useful Information:
    • Sexual activity in adolescence is often sporadic, and many relationships do not last very long.
    • Most men use a condom the first time they have intercourse, but use subsequently declines and a reliance on female methods increases.
    • Six in 10 pregnancies involving teenage fathers end in a birth; four in 10 end in an abortion.  Thirteen percent of abortions each year involve teenage men.
  • Birth Control:
    • No birth control is 100% effective except abstinence.
    • If you use no method of birth control, you have an 85-90% chance of getting pregnant.
    • Saying “no” (abstinence) is the most effective form of birth control.  (It is 100% effective). By saying “no” you are delaying sexual relations until you are really ready.  Remember to say “no” firmly.
    • Thousands of teens who say “yes” will tell you they wish they had waited.  Even if you don’t get a disease or get pregnant, you can still get hurt.  Breaking up with someone after you’ve had sex feels twice as bad.  Having sex is no guarantee that you will stay together.
    • Teens have a higher incidents of STI/STD’s. Teenagers are getting AIDS at a faster rate than any other group in America.  Condoms sometimes break, slip, or don’t get used at all. Birth control methods such as the pill do not protect against STI/STD’s.
  • We urge teens who choose to have sexual relations to use some method of birth control.  The following is a list of some available options.  New options are coming up as well.
    • Male Condom: Thin latex or polyurethane (should be lubricated with a strong spermicide) disposable sheath worn over the penis. Condoms catch sperm so they can’t cause a pregnancy and they protect you from Aids or other STI/STD’s. Condoms are 86-98% effective if used correctly.  It is more effective if used with a film or foam. Condoms should still be used even if the female is on the pill or other form of birth control or if the male has had a vasectomy to protect against STI/STD’s. Never reuse a condom. Do not use with the female condom/pouch!
    • Female Condom (pouch): Pre-lubricated pouch with open ring at one end, closed ring at other.  Closed ring is anchored between cervix and vagina, open ring just outside body.  Like the condom, the pouch helps protect against pregnancy and STI/STD’s. In fact, if used correctly, the pouch is more effective than the male condom.  Pouches are 79-95% effective if used perfectly.  Do not use with the male condom!
    • Spermicides (film/foam/suppositories): Inserted into the vagina before having intercourse.  Foam is only 71% effective if used alone, but it is 98% effective if partner uses a condom too.  Films are 72-94% effective alone if used perfectly and 99% effective if used with a condom.
    • Diaphragm/Cervical Cap:  Diaphragm and cervical cap are barrier birth control devices tailored to fit over the cervix to prevent sperm from entering the uterus.  Medical professionals must fit the diaphragm and some caps.  Before having sex, spermicide is added and the diaphragm or cap is inserted into the vagina. This method is 80-94% effective. Using a diaphragm or cap alone won’t protect you from getting an STI/STD.  Use a condom also.
    • The “pill”: Pills are made of synthetic hormones.  You need a prescription to take the pill.  Pills prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg.  There are several kinds of pills, each with its own instructions.  The pill is 95-99% effective if used perfectly.  The pill does not protect from STD’s.  Because of health risks never borrow a pill from a friend.
    • Skin patch: Contraceptive adhesive skin patch, applied once a week to one of four places on the body.  Contraceptive material enters the blood stream to protect the user against pregnancy. If used correctly the patch is as effective as the pill.  Because of health risks, never borrow a patch from a friend.
    • IUD (intrauterine device): Small plastic or metal device inserted in the uterus by a medical professional.  Different types work different ways.  Some cause a mild irritation that prevents fertilization or implantation others cause hormone changes.  An IUD is 97.4-99% effective. With the IUD there is an increased risk of pelvic inflammatory disease or tubule pregnancy. IUD’s do not protect against STI/STD’s
    • Injections: Depo Provera and Lunelle are two injectable forms of contraception (given as shots).  The shots must be given at specific times by medical professionals.  They work by preventing eggs from being released.  These injections must be prescribed and must be given when scheduled.  Injections are 99.7% effective.  Injections do not protect against STI/STD’s.
    • Emergency Contraception: If you have unprotected sex or contraceptive failure emergency contraceptive pills (ECP’s) are available by prescription.  The pills prevent pregnancy after known or suspected contraceptive failure or unprotected sex.  The pills must be taken within 72 hours after having unprotected sex.  They do not cause an abortion. They prevent implantation of the egg but are not recommended for birth control.  They are about 75% effective.  ECP’s provide no protection against STI/STD’s.
  • Pregnancy:
    • Most states now require men to help support the babies they father.
    • Don’t assume your partner has taken precautions against getting pregnant (or getting an STI/STD).  Always ask..

    • Pitfalls of Teenage Pregnancy:
      • Low income – ˝ of mothers on welfare are teen mothers.
      • Children from teen mothers are more likely to serve jail time.
      • Two thirds of teen mothers never finish school.
  • If you are pregnant, receiving adequate prenatal care is vital to your health and the health of your baby.  PLEASE see a qualified physician.  Contact you local family planning for a list of physicians.

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 STD’s

  • The following is a list of the 10 most common STI?STD’s and their symptoms but there are at least 50 others!
    • Syphilis: 1st Stage: 10-90 days after exposure, hard, red, painless sores anywhere there has been sexual contact. Get help immediately.  They may disappear after 2-6 weeks but it is still spreading through the body.  2nd Stage: months later a rash, swollen lymph glands, sore throat, weight loss, headache, and hair loss occur.  These heal in 2-6 weeks.  3rd Stage: without treatment symptoms may disappear to return years later to damage the heart, cause paralysis, dementia or even death.  There is a cure
    • Chlamydia: In Men: Painful urination, whitish discharge from penis or testicular pain. In Women: Itching, burning in genitals, greenish vaginal discharge, dull pelvic pain.  You must have a medical diagnosis.  Insist on careful testing.  Diagnosis without tests can be inaccurate.  There are often no signs of infection.  There is a cure.
    • Gonorrhea: Nothing for 2-9 days, then frequent painful burning urination and whitish, greenish or yellow discharge from penis or vagina.  In men, the opening of the penis may be red or sore.  Other symptoms include, sore throat, swollen glands, discharge from anus or urethra.  Sometimes there are no symptoms.  There is a cure.  Your sex partner should be treated at the same time to prevent re-infection.  Chlamydia is often present with gonorrhea so both should be treated at the same time.
    • Herpes: Symptoms range from none to severe.  Within 2-10 days after contact, painful blisters may appear on contact area.  Symptoms may include swollen lymph glands, aching muscles, fever, headache.  Blisters dry up, leaving painful sores.  Blisters return when victim is under stress.  Recurring attacks are less painful and heal faster.  Early treatment gives best results, but there is no cure.
    • AIDS:  (1) Many have no early symptoms.  Positive antibody test means person has HIV antibodies and is considered “HIV positive.” May not feel sick but is a carrier and dangerous.  Should get medical counseling.  (2) Important to identify early signs of AIDS related infection: swollen lymph glands, night sweats, fever, diarrhea, weight loss, fatigue, possibly thrush and shingles.  See a doctor! (3) Full-blown AIDS: immune system shuts down.  Victim gets fatal “opportunistic” disease.  There is no cure for AIDS. Early testing is very important to diagnose and treat HIV with new drugs that are coming on the market with increasing frequency and improved results.
    • Hepatitis:  Symptoms may appear within a month after contact.  In some cases: muscle ache, fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, headache, dizziness.  In other cases: dark urine, light stool color, yellow eyes and skin, tenderness in liver area.  Some have no symptoms or mild “flu” symptoms.  Hepatitis can be spread by mouth or genital contact.  It can also be spread by food or water.  Medical diagnosis is important.  Get bed rest until symptoms disappear.
    • Genital Warts:  There may be no symptoms at first.  It’s called a “silent” epidemic.  Then 1 to 3 months after contact cauliflower-like bumps may appear inside and outside genitals and/or rectum.  May cause irritation or itch.  Often painless.  Bumps may be very tiny and almost invisible but they spread.  There is a treatment, but no cure.  Research indicates that this infection is the leading cause of cervical cancer.
    • Chancroid: Painful swelling and draining open sores that ooze pus.  Messy or just sticky.  There may be very few symptoms.  Early treatment is the next best thing to not getting it in the first place.  Must be diagnosed treated by a health professional who will prescribe proper antibiotic for cure.
    • Pubic Lice & Scabies:  Sometimes you can see lice in hairy part of your body.  Severe itching, sometimes blood on underwear if lice get under your skin.  With scabies you itch a lot and have reddish zigzag furrows under skin in genital area and buttocks – or between fingers, skin folds of elbows, wrists, under arms, feet.  See a health professional for treatment/cure.
    • Trichomoniasis: In Women: Greenish yellow vaginal discharge with bad odor, frequent painful urination, inflammation in genitals, sometimes pain in lower abdomen.  In Men: Discharge from penis, mild discomfort in penis.  You can harbor Trich in your body for years with or without symptoms.  This disease is treated by prescription.  You and your partner should be treated so you won’t re-infect each other. 
  • For more information on these or other STI/STD’s contact your local family planning or other health care facility.  If you are experiencing any of these symptoms or suspect you may have contracted an STI/STD contact your local family planning or other health care facility.
  • Family planning offers easy exams & we have medication for treatment.
  • Remember!: Birth Control pills DO NOT protect against STI/STD’s.

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 Education

  • Parent-teen communication
  • Teen pregnancy
  • Saying “No”
  • Contraceptive methods
  • Women’s health care exams
  • Cultural values and attitudes
  • Information on choices available to you

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 Counseling Services

  • Pregnancy counseling for teens and adults
  • Sexual responsibilities
  • Contraception
  • Infertility
  • Health problems
  • Sterilization
  • Adoption

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 Useful Links:

  • National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association www.nfprha.org

If you need to make an appointment you can find the closest office on our Locations page.

 
©  2010  Western Wyoming Family Planning

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