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SICK & WELL
HEALTH CARE
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PROMOTING
HEALTHY LIVING
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PREVENTING
DISEASE
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ABOUT US
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Sexual Health / Birth Control
Wilkes County Health Department provides a wide variety of services to support reproductive and sexual
health including:
- providing information on healthy sexual behaviors
- performing screenings and exams
- testing for sexually transmitted infections (“venereal disease”) (and treatment or referral when appropriate)
- providing birth control, including skills to support abstinence
- counseling on birth spacing and education on the patient’s chosen birth control method
The goal of this “Family Planning” program is to prevent unwanted or poorly timed pregnancies, stop disease
transmission and improve the long term health and well-being of families.
Payment is on a sliding fee scale based on family size and income. Some services may cost extra. For youth, or
“dependents”, fees are based on the income and family size of the parent or guardian where the youth lives unless the
services provided are confidential. If the youth is confidentially seeking services, his or her income and family size is used.
Wilkes County Health Department provides confidential services for adolescents as required by law, but we encourage
teenagers to discuss their health needs with their parents or guardians.
Sexual Health Behaviors
Sexual health is an important part of overall health. Knowing what is normal for your body can help you discover if there is
a change that needs medical attention. For example, knowing the early detection methods of
screening for testicular and
breast cancer can mean the difference between life and death.
STI (sexually transmitted infections) screenings during
pregnancy can prevent expecting mothers from transmitting STI's to their newborns. Education arranged through
MESH in
the high schools can equip teenagers with 1. knowledge to make informed decisions about their level of sexual activity and 2.
skills to empower themselves to enforce those decisions. Clinic staff and Health Promotion Specialists at WCHD work in the
clinic and in the community to provide information about sexual health and healthy sexual behaviors so that people can have
healthy lives and, ultimately, healthy families.
Exams and Screenings
Clinical services provided:
* Emergency contraception is not a form of birth control. It can prevent pregnancy if it is taken within 72 hours after intercourse
but it will not harm a pregnancy already in progress. When Wilkes County Health Department dispenses emergency contraception,
the patient will be asked to enroll in the Family Planning program so that birth control protection can be established – whether it is
through abstinence skills, hormonal protection, barrier protection or permanent sterilization. Emergency Contraception is provided
to each patient only once.
Tests for Sexually Transmitted Diseases (“Venereal Disease”)
Anyone enrolled in the Family Planning program who thinks he or she is infected with a
sexually transmitted disease (STD), or if he
or she has had a risky sexual encounter with someone who has a sexually transmitted disease, can be tested for STDs.
HIV testing
is offered but it is not automatically done. All services are confidential. Parental permission is not required for minors. Most STD
services and medicines are free of charge.
Birth Control Methods
After a physical examination, a clinic nurse will review the types of birth control methods and help you choose what kind is right for you.
(Read more about
what type of birth control is best for you or for Spanish
¿Qué Tipo de Control de la Natalidad es Mejor Para Usted?)
- Abstinence
- Birth Control Pills (Estrogen & Progestin or Progestin-Only)
- Condoms (“Rubbers”)
- Depo-Provera (Injection)
- Diaphragms
- Foam (Spermicide)
- IUD (Intra-Uterine Device)
- Ortho-Evra (Patch)
- Vasectomies? (permanent birth control for men) *
* Any uninsured North Carolina male resident who is at least 21 years or older also can get a vasectomy (surgical permanent birth control)
through the Regional Vasectomy Program. Men who have decided on surgical sterilization can apply for financial assistance through
Wilkes County Health Department as long as he does not have private health insurance or Medicaid. Payment is based on a sliding fee
scale. The Regional Vasectomy Program contracts with board certified urologists in Asheville, Clyde, Durham, Fayetteville, Greensboro,
Greenville, Hickory, Monroe, Shelby, Sylva and Wilmington. Patients may go to one of these cities for their vasectomies.
Education and Counseling
Education is essential in maintaining sexual health. Clinic nurses provide information and counseling during each clinic visit to make certain
each patient is prepared, empowered and committed to their reproductive health choices.
- Abstinence
- Proper Condom Use
- Natural Family Planning
- Prevention of STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections)
- Tubal Ligation (permanent birth control for women)
- Vasectomy (permanent birth control for men)
- Domestic Violence/ Sexual Assault
- Other Pertinent Health Issues
For more information, please call 651-7450.
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