Planned Parenthood

The Impact of Planned Parenthood 

According to the website Planned Parenthood, "Planned Parenthood is a trusted health care provider, an informed educator, a passionate advocate, and a global partner helping similar organizations around the world. Planned Parenthood delivers vital reproductive health care, sex education, and information to millions of people worldwide." I believe Planned Parenthood is an essential in our lives because they provide health services to all individuals and families regardless if they have health care or not. I will go over the health services provided in detail and show the statistics of how many people have been helped.

Background History

Planned Parenthood was founded in 1916 by Margaret Sanger, who was a nurse on the Lower East Side of New York. Sanger believed all women should control their own bodies. Which later led her to travel to Europe to pursue an education on birth control. This was dangerous because at the time the education of birth control was illegal. On October 16, 1916, with the help of her sister Ethel Byrne and Fania Midell they opened up the country's first birth control clinic. The clinic was located in Brownsville, Brooklyn.

Only nine days later after the clinic opened up they had an undercover cop enter the clinic which was followed by a raid and the clinic shutting down. Since the education of birth control was illegal the three women were arrested and charged for sharing birth control information. Sanger served 30 days in prison where she continued to educate women on birth control.

Sangers arrest may seem as a setback but it was only the beginning which fulled her to share her knowledge around the country. In 1923, Sanger created Planned Parenthood Federation of America where she continued to fight for the education and practices of birth control. 

Services Provided by Planned Parenthood

Although commonly known for birth control, planned parenthood has various health care services one can acquire. Planned Parenthood provides health services such as abortion, different forms of birth control for both men and women, emergency contraception, HIV testing, STD testing and treatment, cancer screenings, sexual dysfunction, routine checkups, pelvic exams, pregnancy-related services and hormone therapy. 

Through the Planned Parenthood website you can see the health services  provided in more detail. You can get health care help through their online services or by locating a clinic near you. 

     STI Testing and Treatment 

It's important for individuals to get tested for STD's because most of the timeSTDs have no symptoms. Considering that, testing is the best way to find out if an individual has STDs. It's important to know as soon as possible because it can later affect your health. Some symptoms may include sores or bumps on and around your genitals, thighs, or butt, weird discharge, burning when you pee, itching, pain, irritation, swelling on your genitals, and flue-like symptoms like fever, body aches, swollen glands and feeling tired. 

   Birth Control

Planned Parenthood provides multiple birth control methods for both men and women. Its beneficial to talk to your doctor so you can choose with method works best for you. Each birth control method has different effects on ones body. Some forms of birth control include but aren't limited to birth control shot, cervical cap, female condom, spermicide, mens and women's sterilization, etc.

Depending on which form of birth control you use and if you're consistent with it can alter the effectiveness. For example, Intrauterine Device (IUD) is 99% effective but must be placed by a medical professional. 

     Breast Exams 

Breast exams can be done by yourself or by visiting your doctors. For a breast self-exam there is five easy steps to follow. Begin by looking at your breast in the mirror with your shoulders straight and your arms on your hips. Try looking of any changes in size, shape, and/or color. Now, raise your arms and look for the same changes. Next, check if any fluids are coming out of one both nipples. After, feel your breast while lying down. Make sure to check your whole breast from top to bottom. Lastly, feel your breast while you are standing or sitting and check for any changes.  If you deicide do visit your doctors office to receive a breast exam you'll receive a mammogram. Screening mammograms are ones you get as a regular check up when you've had no symptoms. Diagnostic mammograms focus on potential breast problem areas. 

     Pap Test

Pap test also commonly known as pap smears are test for finding abnormal cells on your cervix that can lead to cervical cancer. Pap test find cell changes caused by HPV but can not detect HPV. It is beneficial to get your first pap test at the age of twenty-one. Depending on your age, medical history, and results a doctor will suggest how often that individual should receive one.  

Statistics on Planned Parenthood Health Care 

Every year Planned Parenthood gathers information regarding the total number of patients and the health care services provided. This past year in 2019, they had a total of 2.4 million patients and 9.8 million services were provided. 

• 31 states provided services for transgender patients
• 1.2 million people reached through education and outreach
• 297,743 male patients
• 4,960,598 STI Testing and Treatment
• 771, HIV tests conducted 
• 240,384 STIs diagnosed
• 2,556,413 Birth Control Information and Services 
• 1,827,625 reversible contraception clients
• 593,586 emergency contraception kits
• Approximately 393,000 unintended pregnancies averted 
• 265,028 Breast exams provided
• 255,682 Pap tests performed
• 70,032 women whose cancer was detected early or whose abnormalities were identified 

Planned Parenthood is important to me because it provides health care services to any individual regardless of their gender, race, or sexuality. Many times individuals can't afford health care services but they can find these services at Planned Parenthood for free or at a cheaper price. Often times Planned Parenthood is known for providing abortion services however they are not limited to that. Researching Planned Parenthood has allowed me to be more informed of the multiple services they provide. Whether someone has question regarding their sexual health or gender identity you can get help from Planned Parenthood. Having a Planned Parenthood within a community allows individuals to seek help regarding their health or families. 

References:

Parenthood, Planned. “Official Site.” Planned Parenthood, www.plannedparenthood.org/.

“Breast Cancer Information and Support.” Breastcancer.org, 9 Apr. 2020, www.breastcancer.org/.