RELATIONSHIPS
Yes. Some guys try to pressure their girlfriends to have sex, saying that it will make them closer. In the right context, sex can deepen the relationship. In a committed marriage between a man and a woman, sex creates intimacy and a close bond.
Sex outside of marriage cheapens it, and can often lead to heartbreak and fractured relationships. Not only can you have a good relationship apart from sex, but abstinence is the best way to protect the relationship you have. When you wait to have sex it makes both the relationship and the sexual act special and meaningful.
Companionship, friendship, doing fun activities together, problem-solving, and spending time with family or bigger groups are all wonderful ways to keep your relationship rich apart from physical intimacy.
If you have already been sexually active, you can still always choose abstinence going forward. You will want to make sure that no pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases occurred from any past sexual activity.
When in a committed relationship, sex is a gift, and a sign of trust and affection. Sexual activity outside of marriage is a risk both to your health and your emotions. Outside of marriage, abstinence is the only 100% effective way to avoid the risk of STDs, (which often have painful, untreatable symptoms), and unwanted pregnancy.
No matter what the past holds, you are not defined by it. You can always choose what’s best starting today. If you think you might be pregnant or have contracted STDs, reach out to Choices for free health services or consultation in a safe environment to ask any questions you might have.
There are absolutely no side effects to abstinence. In fact, abstinence is the only way to provide 100% protection against unwanted pregnancy and STDs. While it can be difficult, abstinence is definitely possible for anyone. Side effects of STDs are often painful, and embarrassing, and in some cases, there is no treatment.
While some people may claim that there are safe ways to have sex outside of a marriage, this is not the reality. According to the CDC, the only way to prevent pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and HIV is by restraining yourself from engaging in oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse.
It has been known that people are more satisfied and healthier when they engage in sex in traditional marriage and it is considered the absolute best form of safe sex. Furthermore, many people are not honest about the number of emotional complications that are added to a relationship when you become sexually active. It is not something to be entered into casually.
Many women feel cheapened after entering too quickly into sexual relationships or allowing pressure from their boyfriends to overcome their reservations. This can create insecurities, and feelings of regret that might last for years. Please be sure to seek plenty of advice from people who care and can give you a more informed outlook on what it means to make this decision. Choices is here to help!
HEALTH
Menstrual cups are used by anyone to collect their menstrual blood. Like tampons, these cups fit inside the vagina and are held in place by the walls. Unlike tampons, these cups can be washed, reused, or emptied. Some cups have a “stem” at the bottom that can be easily removed. Learning how to properly put and remove these cups can be a bit challenging. Some people use menstrual cups as an environmentally friendly alternative to tampons and pads. However, these products aren’t any safer or healthier than those used for feminine hygiene products. Reinserted and ed cups are more cost-effective than pads or tampons over time. Please contact Choices Pregnancy Center or a free consultation. We provide a safe space in which to get your questions answered.
Around half of the girls get their periods when they’re 12 years old, and the other half are older. Although it’s impossible to predict exactly when your period will start, it happens to every girl in the world.
During puberty, the vagina begins producing a white discharge, which is referred to as leukorrhea. This is the organ’s self-cleaning feature. It carries various harmful substances and germs out of the body.
Ask your parents, or contact Choices if you still have questions.
Periods usually last for about three to seven days. They can change from month to month, though this is normal. It can take a while for a girl’s body to adjust to the changes caused by hormone therapy. She may have periods that are heavy or light, or she may have them late. As she gets older, her periods and cycles become more frequent. For more information or to speak confidentially with a health consultant, contact Choices today.
No! Choices is committed to providing free and affordable health care whether you have insurance or not. We offer a variety of free services including free pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, LifePath Classes for Women and Men, consultations, and more!
Thanks to the work of our full-time medical staff, as well as our generous donors, there are many financial options available to you. We are willing to work with you, provide the medical care you need, and hope that you will never allow finances to be a hindrance to reaching out to Choices.
No. Planned Parenthood’s focus is geared towards the practice of a sexually active lifestyle in whatever form that takes. Their goal is to support and promote sexual relations without restrictions, or much regard for safety, health, the risks of STDs, or other potential dangers.
They make abortions, morning-after pills, and birth control options easy to obtain. They also offer STD and HIV services, transgender support and hormone therapy, and pregnancy testing.
If a woman contacts Planned Parenthood with an unwanted or unexpected pregnancy, the only real option Planned Parenthood offers is abortion.
Choices Pregnancy Centers offer pregnancy support services and care for pregnant women and for the protection of the unborn. Our focus is on making sure women are informed about other options besides abortion, and to offer consultation and advocacy. We also offer free pregnancy testing and ultrasounds and low-cost STD testing.
STDs
The answer is usually no but there are some exceptions. You must wait 12 months after treatment for syphilis or gonorrhea before you are eligible to donate blood. Most sexually transmitted diseases can be passed through blood.
If you have genital herpes, venereal warts, or chlamydia, then you can be a blood donor. You may donate blood if you have chlamydia, venereal warts (human papillomavirus), or genital herpes and you are feeling healthy and well and meet all other eligibility requirements.
You must be at least 17 years old and in good health to be eligible to give blood. Guidelines on eligibility to give blood change from time to time, but the most up-to-date eligibility information can be obtained by contacting the American Red Cross blood center nearest you.
Chlamydia usually doesn’t have any symptoms at first. This means that in most cases, people won’t notice them until they get worse. Sometimes, the symptoms are so mild that they’re mistaken for something else.
If you’re not sure if you have chlamydia, then you should get tested. Although it can take several weeks for the infection to show up in your body, it’s important to get tested right away if you do. Possible symptoms include:
Some of the common symptoms of this condition include
- Burning or pain while urinating
- Pain in the lower belly
- A strong smell coming from the discharge
- Bleeding between periods
- Pain, discharge and/or bleeding around the anus
If you think you might have Chlamydia, it is important to get tested. Choices Pregnancy Centers offer STD tests and free consultations.
One of the most common sexually transmitted infections in women is a pelvic inflammatory disease. It can lead to various conditions such as infertility and chronic pain. Although it’s not a sexually transmitted disease, it can be caused by an untreated condition, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea. Having regular pelvic examinations is very important for women who are sexually active.
Only a healthcare provider can diagnose PID, but it can cause various symptoms such as nausea, fever, and vomiting. It can also cause pain in the lower abdomen, unusual urination, and long periods of a painful urination.
To be tested for STDs or to consult with a medical professional with any questions or concerns you may have, contact Choices.
One of the most common sexually transmitted infections in women is a pelvic inflammatory disease. It can lead to various conditions such as infertility and chronic pain. Although it’s not a sexually transmitted disease, it can be caused by an untreated condition, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea. Having regular pelvic examinations is very important for women who are sexually active.
Only a healthcare provider can diagnose PID, but it can cause various symptoms such as nausea, fever, and vomiting. It can also cause pain in the lower abdomen, unusual urination, and long periods of a painful urination.
To be tested for STDs or to consult with a medical professional with any questions or concerns you may have, contact Choices.
ABORTION
Reputable medical research and expert opinion cite significant short and long-term risk factors associated with abortion. Potential Physical Risks FDA black box warning: “Warning: Serious and sometimes fatal infections and bleeding.” [1]
- Infection
- Undiagnosed ectopic (tubal) pregnancy
- Failed abortion
- Risk of fetal malformations
*Medical studies that support the risk factors cited can be found in Before You Decide, © 2018 Care Net Potential Surgical Risks [2]
- Increased breast cancer risks for those who have had an abortion
- Uterus damage
- Increased risk of delivering prematurely in future births, which is associated with cerebral palsy, as well as all other newborn complications (respiratory, bowel, brain, and eye problems)
- Infection that can lead to infertility and risk for ectopic pregnancy
- Death
Potential Psychological/ Emotional Risks [3] No one can tell you how you are going to feel. Every person is different. Some individuals report negative emotions after abortions that linger, and unresolved. For some, problems related to their abortion emerge months or even years later. There is evidence that abortion is associated with a decrease in long-term emotional and physical health. In line with the best available research, you should be informed that abortion significantly increases the risk for
- Clinical depression and anxiety
- Drug and alcohol abuse
- Symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Suicidal thoughts and behavior
We have helped thousands of women and men in the Phoenix area overcome their feelings of shame and regret associated with abortion, many of who have carried it for decades. Contact us confidentially at FindHope@CPCPhoenix.org if you have had an abortion in the past and are looking for Hope and Healing.
Usually, healthcare providers keep their patient’s information confidential. In some cases, a particular doctor might not be able to guarantee complete confidentiality. Check with your doctor about this before making an appointment.
Choices Pregnancy Centers can help counsel you if you have sensitive questions. We offer free health care services as well as Lifepath Educational Classes. It is important to find a doctor with whom you can be honest and ask questions. At Choices, we have full-time doctors on staff as well as judgment-free, confidential consultations available.
Planned Parenthood’s policy is to protect client confidentiality to the extent the law allows.