171 Dawson Street, Suite 123
Sandusky, MI 48471
(810) 648-4098
The Sanilac County Health Department provides a wide range of services for both male and female clients. Clients are seen by appointment.
FAMILY PLANNING SERVICES
Family Planning Program:
Clients are seen by appointment. One late night clinic is offered every month. Exam and supply costs are based on a "sliding fee" scale. We take into account your family size and income to determine your fee and/or we can bill participating insurance companies if these services are covered.
Initial Exam:
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PAP test for cervical cancer (if indicated)
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Blood pressure
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Weight (BMI)
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Testing for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea (as indicated or requested)
Annual Exam:
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PAP test for cervical cancer (if indicated)
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Breast exam
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Blood pressure & weight
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Testing for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea (as indicated or requested)
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Educational needs of our clients are assessed at every visit with reinforcement of problem areas
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Male Exam:
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Testicular exam
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Blood pressure
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Weight
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Testing for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea (as indicated or requested)
Sexually Transmitted Infection (Disease) Testing (STD)
Office visit and confidential screening for:
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Chlamydia
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Gonorrhea
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HIV/AIDS (referral only)
Have questions?
Need to schedule a confidential appointment?
contact us directly at
810-648-4098
Male or Female...
take control of
your reproductive
health.
Office Schedule &
Clinic/Refill Hours
Registered Nurse Available
Tuesday & Friday
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
(NOW OPEN DURING LUNCH)
One late night clinic is held each month
Birth Control Methods for Women:
Reversible methods of contraception are listed below. Contraceptive effectiveness is categorized into perfect and typical use.
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Perfect use refers to how effective a method is if used correctly every time.
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Typical use refers to how effective a method is for those who may not always use it consistently or correctly.
Permanent Contraception
If you know you do not want children or do not want any more children, you might consider sterilization. A family planning provider can give you information and answer questions about sterilization procedures, as well as schedule or refer you for the procedure.
Sterilization
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Sterilization is a permanent birth control method and should be chosen only if you are sure you do not want a future pregnancy.
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Sterilization does not change a woman's sex drive, her ability to have sex, or orgasm.
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Sterilization procedures are over 99% effective.
There are two (2) types of female sterilization procedures:
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A tubal ligation is a surgical procedure that prevents an egg from passing through the fallopian tubes where it could meet sperm.
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An implant is inserted into the fallopian tubes and creates a blockage to prevent an egg from passing through the tubes.
Sterilization procedures, like a tubal ligation or implant, are available only to clients who are 21 ears of age or older.
Abstinence
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Abstinence, not having sex, protects you and your partner from pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV.
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You can choose to be abstinent at any time in your life.
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Used continuously, abstinence is 100% effective.
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The implant is a thin plastic rod that releases a hormone, called progestin, to prevent pregnancy. It works for three years.
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A doctor or nurse practitioner inserts the implant under the skin on the inside of your arm. It can be inserted at a family planning clinic or doctor's office.
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Implants are 99% effective, meaning that 1 or less women in 100 will become pregnant using the implant.
Intrauterine Contraception (IUC)
The Sanilac County Health Department makes referrals for the insertion of an IUC.
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An IUC is inserted into your uterus to prevent pregnancy. You can choose a non-hormonal IUC that lasts up to 10 years or you can choose one with a hormone, call levonorgestrel, that last three (3) years.
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If you decide you want to become pregnant, you can have your IUC removed.
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IUCs are 97-99% effective.
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You get the birth control shot every three (3) months at a family planning clinic or doctor's office. The shot contains a hormone, call progestin, to prevent pregnancy.
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The shot is 99.7% effective with perfect use.
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With typical use, the shot is 94% effective.
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Birth control pills contain hormones that prevent you from becoming pregnant. Combined hormonal pills have both estrogen and progestin in them. Mini pills have only progestin in them.
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You take one birth control pill every day. Pills are small and easy to take. Missing a pill increases your chance of pregnancy. The mini pill must be taken at the same time every day.
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If taken perfectly, meaning every day, birth control pills are 99% effective. For the mini pill, perfect use is every day at the same time.
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With typical use, birth control pills are 92% effective.
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The contraceptive patch is a thin, stick-on square that is placed on your body.
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The contraceptive patch releases estrogen and progestin to prevent pregnancy. A new patch is used once a week for three weeks and the fourth week is patch-free.
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The patch is 99% effective with perfect use.
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With typical use, the patch is 91% effective.
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The vaginal ring is a small soft plastic ring that releases estrogen and progestin to prevent pregnancy. You place a new ring in your vagina every month. Your partner will not feel the ring.
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If used perfectly, meaning keeping the ring in place and changing it on time, the ring is 99% effective.
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With typical use, the ring is 91% effective.
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The Sanilac County Health Department does not have diaphragms in stock. One would need to be ordered and can be received within two (2) weeks of the order.
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The diaphragm is a rubber cap that is fitted to your size by a doctor or nurse practitioner.
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You insert it into your vagina before you have sex. It can stay in place for up to 24 hours.
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Spermicide is used with the diaphragm to make it an effective method.
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The diaphragm is 94% effective when used correctly every time you have sex.
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With typical use, the diaphragm is 88% effective.
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The female condom is soft, loose-fitting thin plastic pouch that goes inside of a woman's vagina.
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You put it in place before sex each time. A new condom must be used each time you have sex.
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Female condoms also protect against STIs and HIV.
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You can get female condoms at drug stores or family planning clinics. They are made of plastic so people with latex allergies can use them.
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Female condoms are at least 80% effective when used correctly every time you have sex.
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With typical use, the female condom is 79% effective.
Fertility Awareness
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Fertility awareness is learning to tell when you can get pregnant and avoiding sex (or using another method) during the time you can get pregnant. This method is sometimes called "Natural Family Planning" or "Rhythm Method".
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Overall effectiveness depends on how well a woman tracks her body's cycle changes and avoids sex during risky times.
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Fertility awareness is typically only 77% effective.
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Lactional amenorrhea method (LAM) is a temporary family planning method based on the natural effect of breastfeeding on fertility.
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Overall effectiveness depends on exclusive or full breastfeeding day and night of an infant less than six months old and the absence of monthly bleeding for a new mother.
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If used correctly and consistently, LAM is 99% effective.
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Typical use is 98% effective.
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Spermicides are chemicals that kill sperm. They come in several forms: foam, gel, film, or suppositories.
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You can get spermicides at a drug store or family planning clinic. They are very effective.
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Typical use is only 72% effective.
If a condom breaks or your method fails, you may still prevent pregnancy with emergency contraception.
Emergency Contraceptive Pills
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Emergency contraceptive pills can be taken after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy.
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Emergency contraceptive pills should be taken as soon as possible, but can be taken up to five (5) days after unprotected sex.
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Emergency contraceptive is not an abortion pill. It will not stop or harm an already established pregnancy.
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You can get emergency contraceptive pills over the counter at a drugstore or family planning clinic.
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Emergency contraceptive pill effectiveness varies by brand and the number of days after unprotected sex.
Education is provided on each form of contraception
NO PARENTAL CONSENT IS NEEDED
Emergency Contraception:
May be provided when there is a history of unprotected sex (intercourse) within the previous 72 hours.
Quick List:
Birth Control Options
Women
Men
STD & HIV Testing:
The Family Planning Program, at the Sanilac County Health Department, offers testing for the following:
Referrals can be made to a STD program for the following:
Learn more about the facts of STDs and HIV here.
Birth Control Methods for Men:
Birth Control is not just for women! As a man, you can...
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Decide when you want to use birth control to prevent a pregnancy
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Protect yourself and your partner from HIV or sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
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Gain peace of mind and have better sex knowing you are protected
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Use your own method and not have to rely on your partner's method
Reversible methods of contraception are listed below. Contraceptive effectiveness is categorized into perfect and typical use.
-
Perfect use refers to how effective a method is if used perfectly every time.
-
Typical use refers to how effective a method is for those who may not always use it consistently or correctly.
Abstinence
-
Abstinence, not having sex, protects you and your partner from pregnancy and STIs, including HIV.
-
You can choose to be abstinent at any time in your life.
-
Used continuously, abstinence is 100% effective.
Permanent Contraception
If you know you do not want children or do not want any more children, you might consider sterilization. A family planning provider can give you information and answer questions about sterilization procedures, as well as schedule or refer you for the procedure.
Vasectomy
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Vasectomy is a simple surgical procedure, where the tubes that carry sperm are cut and sealed. The procedure takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
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Vasectomies can be done in a doctor's office.
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Vasectomy is a permanent method of birth control and should be chosen only if you are sure you do not want to have a child in the future.
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Vasectomy is one of the safest, most effective (99%), and popular birth control methods.
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Vasectomy will not change a man's sex drive, his ability to have sex, or orgasm.
Sterilization procedures, like vasectomy, are available only to clients who are 21 years of age or older.
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Male condoms protect you from pregnancy and STIs, like chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis, and HIV.
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Condoms must be used every time to be an effective method. They are very effective when used with a spermicide.
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If used perfectly every time you have sex, male condoms are considered 98% effective.
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With typical use, condoms are considered to be 82% effective.
Withdrawal (Pulling Out)
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Withdrawal is when a man pulls his penis out and away from his partner's vagina before he ejaculates (cums). Withdrawal works by preventing sperm from entering a woman's body and reaching an egg.
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How well it works depends on the man being able to know when he will cum and being able to pull out in time.
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Withdrawal can be 96% effective if performed perfectly every time you have sex. Perfect use for this method is very difficult.
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With typical use, withdrawal is considered only 73% effective.
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Withdrawal does not protect against STIs or HIV.
If a condom breaks or your method fails, you may still prevent pregnancy with emergency contraception.
Emergency Contraceptive Pills
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Emergency contraceptive pills can be taken after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy.
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Emergency contraceptive pill should be taken as soon as possible, but can be taken up to five (5) days after sex.
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Emergency contraceptive pill is not an abortion pill. It will not stop or harm an already established pregnancy.
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You can get emergency contraceptive pills over the counter at a drugstore or family planning clinic.
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Emergency contraceptive pill effectiveness varies by brand and the number of days after unprotected sex.
STD & HIV Testing:
The Family Planning Program, at the Sanilac County Health Department, offers testing for the following:
Referrals can be made to a STD program for the following:
Learn more about the facts of STDs and HIV here.
STD & HIV Testing:
The Family Planning Program, at the Sanilac County Health Department, offers testing for the following:
Referrals can be made to a STD program for the following:
Learn more about the facts of STDs and HIV here.
Preconception Health:
Thinking about your goals for having or not having children and how to achieve those goals is called a reproductive life plan. There are many kinds of reproductive life plans. Your plan will depend on your personal goals and dreams. Here is some information to help you make an informed decision.