Sep
25
Thursday, 25 September 2008
Acknowledge World Contraceptive Day (26 September) by making an appointment at your nearest Family Planning clinic to ensure your contraceptive choice is the best available option for you and your partner.
“People’s contraceptive needs change over time,” Family Planning Chief Executive Jackie Edmond says. “The right contraceptive choice will consider issues such as how important is it for you to avoid pregnancy, your age and health, your relationship status, whether your family is complete or if you still want to have children.”
A range of different contraceptive methods is now available and Family Planning staff can prescribe or provide everything from condoms, the contraceptive pill, IUD’s, the Depo Provera injection and implants. Some Family Planning clinics also offer vasectomies.
“As an organisation, we would encourage people to consider long acting reversible contraception such as IUD’s or implants,” Ms Edmond says. “These options provide better long-term certainty around contraception.”
Intrauterine contraceptives can provide contraceptive protection for up to 10 years. The implant is soft, plastic rods containing a progestogen reservoir which is inserted under the skin of the upper arm. The progestogen is released in tiny doses and the implant is effective for three to five years.
A visit to a Family Planning Clinic is free for under 22 year olds and costs $5 for those with a Community Services Card. For those over 22 and with no Community Services Card, a visit cost $22.50. Non-New Zealand Residents will pay a $45 fee.
To be fitted with an IUD costs between $80 and $325 while the cost of a Jadelle implant is $300.
For more details about contraceptive options, check out the website www.familyplanning.org.nz or contact your nearest Family Planning Clinic.