Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood Marks National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month By Highlighting Importance of IUDs and Implants for Teens

Albany, NY — In recognition of National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month (May), Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood is highlighting the importance of access to birth control, including IUDs and implants, which are the most effective methods of birth control and great options for teens to consider. The IUD and implant last for up to three to 12 years, depending on the method, and don’t require women to remember to do something every day or just before intercourse. Once an IUD or implant is inserted, you can pretty much just forget about it.

UHPP is encouraging teens to think about their future and how pregnancy would affect their goals, and take steps to protect themselves from unintended pregnancy, including using the most effective method of birth control available to them. In 2014, UHPP provided high quality, age appropriate and medically accurate sexual health education to 2,231 young people in our community through 448 sessions. 

New Report: More Teens Are Using the Most Effective Methods of Birth Control

A new CDC report shows that more teens are choosing the IUD and implant, which are both safe and highly effective birth control options for teens and young women who want the best possible pregnancy prevention and aren’t yet ready to start a family.

“IUDs and implants are safe for most women, including teens and women who have not yet had children, and they are an especially good option for young women who are years away from wanting to have children,” said Chelly Hegan, UHPP President/CEO “Using condoms plus another birth control method — like the IUD, implant, shot, or pill — helps prevent both pregnancy and STDs.”

The U.S. teen pregnancy and birth rates have reached a historic low: more young people are making responsible decisions to delay sexual activity until they are older and to use birth control when they do have sex. High-quality sex education and access to services have been critical to helping teens stay safe and healthy.  

“Planned Parenthood is proud to provide the sex education and access to services that help teens prevent unintended pregnancies, and we’re gratified that there is a historic low in teen pregnancy rates,” Hegan added. UHPP is committed to continuing to help teens make good decisions and engage in healthy behavior. We work every day to reach teens with information about healthy relationships and sexuality, as well as to help young people protect themselves against both unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.”

Planned Parenthood also offers nine interactive mobile tools designed to help young people stay healthy and better plan for their futures. The tools bring together age-appropriate sex education with what teens like to do online, and have already been used by over 250,000 young people nationwide.

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Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood is a non-profit organization serving Albany, Columbia, Greene and Rensselaer counties. Each year, more than 10,000 visits to UHPP health centers in Albany, Hudson and Troy provide a wide range of reproductive health services to women, men and young people. UHPP is committed to providing exceptional health care to those who need it, honest education in our communities and fearless advocacy for reproductive freedom and choice.

Source

Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood, Inc.

Published

May 07, 2015