Family Planning Program
The Family Planning Program offers confidential services to teens and women of childbearing age.
You can decide if and when you want to have children. Think about how a child will affect your life:
- Will you be able to finish school?
- Will you be able to get or keep a job?
- Am I ready to be a parent?
If you don’t want to get pregnant right now, there are a number of ways that you can prevent pregnancy.
Abstinence, (choosing not to have sex), is the most effective method to protect yourself from pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Even if you have been sexually active before, you can choose abstinence. Saying “NO” is the best choice for teens.
If you choose to have sex, it is a personal decision. You need to choose a reliable method of birth control and use it the right way, every time.
The Family Planning staff at the Wicomico County Health Department can help you decide which method is best for you. They will talk to you about how to use each method, how effective they are, and what the common side effects are.
Services Offered
- Gynecological exams (including breast exam, pap smears, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, HIV testing)
- Contraception (Birth Control)
- Emergency Contraception
- Pregnancy testing and counseling
- Free Condoms
- Vasectomy counseling
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?
Visit fees are based on income. No one will be denied services due to inability to pay.
VISITS MAY BE BILLED:
- Medical Assistance
- Family Planning Medical Assistance (Purple & White Card)
- Some Private Insurances
For Appointments, call (410) 543-6962
Methods Of Birth Control
Abstinence (saying “NO”): Not having sex.
Condoms: A latex or polyurethane condom is placed over a man’s penis to keep semen from entering a woman’s vagina. Condoms will help protect you
from sexually transmitted infections. You can buy condoms without a prescription.
Oral Contraceptives (Birth Control pills): You must take one pill at the same time each day. You need a prescription to get pills.
Depo-Provera: An injection (a shot) that works for 3 months. You must get a shot every 3 months from your health care provider.
NuvaRing: Flexible vaginal ring that releases ingredients similar to the Pill. You place it in your vagina for 3 weeks.
IUD (Intrauterine Device): Must be inserted into a woman’s uterus by a doctor or clinician.
Implanon: A flexible, matchstick-sized plastic rod inserted under the skin of a woman’s arm by a doctor or clinician. Prevents pregnancy up to 3 years.
Emergency Contraception: Used within 120 hours of unprotected intercourse. Talk to your health care provider to see if this is an option for you.
Sterilization: This method is permanent. Use this method only if you are sure you don’t want anymore children. For woman, sterilization is a tubal ligation. For men, it is called vasectomy. Sterilization does not effect your ability to have sexual intercourse.