Public Health District offers family planning services

Jul. 19—ALBANY — The Southwest Georgia Public Health District offers confidential, low- or no-cost family planning services and birth control to people of all ages, regardless of income, at the district's 14 county health departments.

Long-acting reversible contraception is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy, according to Southwest Georgia Public Health Director Dr. Charles Ruis,

"LARCs can prevent pregnancy for three to 10 years, can be removed at any time, and will not affect longtime fertility," Ruis said.

LARC devices include intrauterine devices (IUDs) and hormone implants.

"Hormone implants are about the size of a small match, Ruis said. "They are soft, flexible, and after use of a local anesthetic, easily inserted just under the skin of the upper arm, where they are barely detectible."

The Southwest Georgia Public Health District provides the following LARC devices:

—Nexplanon implant (up to 5 years of protection);

—Hormonal IUDs (up to 6 years of protection);

—Paragard IUD — hormone-free (up to 10 years of protection).

Southwest Georgia Public Health also offers other birth control options including:

—Barrier methods (hormone-free, including diaphragms and Phexxi gel);

—Contraceptive patches;

—Depo-provera injections;

—Emergency contraception;

—Internal and external condoms;

—Oral contraception (the pill) including Progestin Only Pills;

—Vaginal rings.

Some services are available on a walk-in basis during regular clinic hours. However, public health officials recommend scheduling an appointment. Condoms are available anytime, free of charge. For more information, visit https://swhealthdistrict.org or call any local health department.

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