PPSA Expands Services
Planned Parenthood Springfield Area (PPSA) announces the expansion of services to better meet the needs of clients with the addition of birth control methods and the vaccine Gardasil. “As we celebrate our 35th Anniversary, it is especially gratifying to know PPSA clients have a wide range of choices to meet their own personal needs”, according to Judith Barringer, CEO.
Besides birth control pills, the patch, and the shot, PPSA clients can now obtain ImplanonÒ, a small implant placed under the skin of the upper arm that is 99.9% effective and provides birth control for up to three years. Also available are the two intrauterine devices (IUDs) MirenaÒ and ParaGardÒ. A small plastic devise is placed in the uterus and is 99.2-99.9% effective as a birth control method. ParaGard Ò (copper IUD) may be left in place for up to 12 years and the MirenaÒ (hormone IUD) for five years.
The advantage of an implant and the IUD are that there are no pills to take daily and there is the ability to become pregnant quickly when use is stopped. None of these are effective against sexually transmitted infections and HIV.
In addition to more birth control options, PPSA is pleased to be a provider in the Vaccine for Children (VFC) Program so that eligible clients can obtain GardasilÒ. GardasilÒ is the first vaccine developed to prevent cervical cancer and other diseases in females caused by certain types of genital human papillomavirus (HPV). The vaccine protects against four HPV types, which together cause 70% of cervical cancers and 90% of genital warts. The vaccine is for use in girls/women, ages 9-26 years and is given through a series of three shots over a six-month period.
Clients ages 9 – 18 must have a parent or guardian fill out and sign the IDPH Patient Eligibility Screening Record prior to the vaccine being administered.
For those interested in learning more about these new birth control options and how to participate in the Vaccine for Children Program, Planned Parenthood health care providers are available on a walk in basis on Monday 8:30 – 6, Wednesday 8:30 – 8, Thursday 8:30 – 5 and Saturday 10 - 3. Appointments can be made for Tuesday 8:30 – 8 and Friday 8:30 – 5. For more information, call 217-544-2744.
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