A weblog featuring news from the Planned Parenthood of West and Northern Michigan http://www.plannedparenthood.org/west-northern-michigan 2011 http://www.plannedparenthood.org/west-northern-michigan/best-kept-secrets-38488.htm Best Kept Secret: STDs are on the rise! Half of all sexually active young people will have an STD (sexually transmitted disease) by age 25. What's more, STDs are also climbing faster among the over-age-55 crowd than within the population as a whole. Since many STDs don't show any symptoms, protection and prevention are your best defenses if you are sexually active. That means getting tested, making sure your partner gets tested, and using condoms. A PAP TEST WILL NOT DETECT MOST STDs. YOU MUST GET STD TESTS IN ADDITION TO YOUR REGULAR PAPS IN ORDER TO KNOW YOUR STD STATUS. If you think you need to be tested, PPWNM is offering a $50 Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV screening package to all new and current clients through April 30, 2012. To learn more, click on the title of this post. Psst...Pass it on! http://www.plannedparenthood.org/west-northern-michigan/best-kept-secrets-38488.htm Best Kept Secret: Birth control that you only "take" four times per year! You've probably heard about Depo-Provera (Depo), the birth control shot. But have you seriously considered it as a method for you? No more pills to swallow, fewer visits to the doctor or pharmacy, nothing to insert or remove... these and other benefits make Depo the favorite choice for lots of women. New clients to PPWNM can try out the birth control shot FREE before April 30, 2012! Just call any PPWNM health center and ask about our Free Birth Control offer. To learn more, click on the title of this post. Psst...Pass it on! http://www.plannedparenthood.org/west-northern-michigan/best-kept-secrets-38488.htm Best Kept Secret: Valentine's Day makes February the "month for lovers," and, not coincidentally, it's also National Condom Month. What better time to celebrate all things condom, and spread the word about this mighty, ancient soldier in the fight against STDs and unintended pregnancy? And, the Best Kept Secret of all? Planned Parenthood of West and Northern Michigan locations offer THREE FREE CONDOMS A DAY, every day, to clients and non-clients alike, during regular business hours. Just stop in and ask. Want more than three? They're only 25-cents each. To learn more, click on the title of this post. Psst...Pass it on! http://www.plannedparenthood.org/west-northern-michigan/best-kept-secrets-38488.htm Best Kept Secret: There ARE steps women can take to avoid the "silent killer" that claims 4,000 American women's lives each year. Cervical cancer usually shows few symptoms until it has progressed. But when caught early, the five-year survival rate is nearly 100 percent. Annual Pap tests can help with early detection and the HPV vaccine can protect against most cervical cancers in the first place. PPWNM offers annual Paps, and the HPV vaccine (for women ages 18-26). We also have funding programs to help cover the costs. To learn more, click on the title of this post. Psst ... pass it on! http://www.plannedparenthood.org/west-northern-michigan/best-kept-secrets-38488.htm Psst ... Pass it on! Best Kept Secrets revealed weekly - about your sexual health, and how to stay healthy and safe in 2012. Our campaign is designed to shred the myths and spread reliable, useful information. Check it out, and Psst ... Pass it on! http://www.plannedparenthood.org/west-northern-michigan/files/WestandNorthernMichigan/Special_offers_BOTH.pdf We are kicking off the new year with two special offers from PPWNM: STD testing package for just $50, and one month free birth control. These offers are good through April 30, 2012. We are here - for you, your loved ones, neighbors, and friends - providing affordable services and professional, private care. Check us out with two special offers in 2012! http://www.plannedparenthood.org/about-us/newsroom/local-press-releases/planned-parenthood-collecting-goods-domestic-violence-shelters-honor-dr-martin-luther-king-jr-1-38478.htm Planned Parenthood of West and Northern Michigan (PPWNM) is participating in a special project in honor of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service on Jan. 16, and Dr. King's teachings of social justice and nonviolence. PPWNM is collecting a variety of needed items for domestic violence shelters through January 31, 2012: Feminine Hygiene Products Bath and Beauty Supplies School Supplies Baby Products Winter Accessories (gloves, hats, scarves) Non-perishable Food Items Donations can be dropped off at any Planned Parenthood health center in Michigan during regular business hours. Donated goods will remain in the local communities where they are collected. http://www.plannedparenthood.org/west-northern-michigan/files/WestandNorthernMichigan/Birds_and_Bees_2011.pdf Frank talk for families about sex education in the schools, and in the home. This annual "progressive" newsletter grows by two pages each week during October's Let's Talk month. This year's focus is bullying: various types of bullies and their targets; and how parents can make a difference, whether their child is the bully or the victim. See the complete newsletter by clicking the title above. http://www.plannedparenthood.org/west-northern-michigan/whats-new-37922.htm Convenience and flexibilty for patients are two reasons that PPWNM now offers walk-in hours at five locations. New or returning clients may come in for any of our services during these specially designated walk-in hours. Walk-in clients are seen on a first-come, first-served basis; so wait times can vary, and clients may even be turned away if there is no more room.