KBFPC Newsletter
August-September 2016
Copper IUD as Most Effective Emergency Contraception
Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic is proud to offer the ParaGard Copper IUD as emergency contraception, which can greatly reduce an individual’s chance of becoming pregnant after unprotected intercourse. While many people are familiar with emergency contraceptive pills (known colloquially as the “morning after pill” or “Plan B”), few know that the Cooper IUD is the most effective form of emergency contraception. The Copper IUD can be inserted up to five days after unprotected intercourse and reduces the risk of pregnancy by over 99%; for comparison, emergency contraceptive pills reduce the risk of pregnancy by 52-85%. The Copper IUD can be removed at any time, or can be left in place for up to 12 years of highly effective birth control coverage. The Copper IUD—along with a wide range of contraceptive options and services—is available on KBFPC’s sliding scale. Contact the clinic to see whether the ParaGard Copper IUD might work for you!
All statistics compiled from Contraceptive Technology (20th ed.), Ardent Media, Inc.
The ParaGard IUD is over 99% effective and provides up to 12 years of birth control coverage.
The Exchange: Reducing Harm on the Kenai Peninsula
As the prevalence of heroin use on the Kenai Peninsula becomes increasingly clear, community members have come together from various disciplines to address its presence in our community. A syringe exchange program—known simply as “The Exchange”—was developed in response to a recognized need for services that help reduce some of the risks associated with intravenous drug use.
As noted in the program’s mission statement, The Exchange is “operated by community members and volunteers in the Homer area that support and promote the idea of harm reduction and safer drug use as a means of making our community a safer place to live.”
Services offered through the program include syringe disposal and exchange, Narcan overdose response kits, HIV and Hepatitis C testing, and information about treatment and recovery programs. All of the services offered are confidential and many services can be accessed anonymously. The program is being overseen by Dr. Sarah Spencer, a board-certified addiction treatment specialist, who sees patients at both Homer Medical Clinic and Ninilchik Community Clinic.
By providing safe, anonymous syringe disposal, The Exchange helps reduce the number of contaminated syringes on our sidewalks, trails, and beaches. The program also helps reduce the spread of several diseases, including HIV, Hepatitis C, and bacterial infections, that can be transmitted by sharing syringes or reusing the same syringe. The staff of Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic offer rapid HIV and Hepatitis C testing at The Exchange and can also help individuals access a full range of reproductive health care services through the clinic.
As The Exchange is a community-based, volunteer-led program, the hours of operation are limited. Please see below for the current hours of operation.
How do I access services at The Exchange?
Just stop by! The Exchange operates the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month, 5:00-7:00 pm. (September 6th, September 20th, October 4th, October 18th, November 1st, and November 15th). It is located at the South Peninsula Hospital Training Center, 203 Pioneer Avenue. Please enter through the back entrance, marked "The Exchange."
For additional information, please email homerexchange@gmail.com.
REC Room Ready for New School Year
As the warm summer season comes to a close, the Youth Resource and Enrichment Co-op (R.E.C. Room) prepares for another lively school year. Peer Educators Chloe Pleznac, Zane Boyer, and Ciara Cordes-Walker have put the final touches on the lesson plans that they will present to the Kenai Peninsula School District Board for use in the classroom this school year. The Peer Educators—overseen by Youth Health Education and Programs Manager Anna Meredith and Youth Education Programs Coordinator Doug Koester—provide comprehensive, medically-accurate sexual health education to local schools, including Homer High School, Homer Flex, and Homer Middle School, along with several schools across the bay. The R.E.C. Room resumes many of its regular programs this fall, including Youth on Record Alaska (YOR-AK), an after-school program that teaches music production. YOR-AK, led by local Cody Davidson, returns to the R.E.C. Room in late September. For current R.E.C. Room hours and programming, please visit our Facebook page.
Check it out:
3957 Nielsen Circle (off Ben Walters Lane)
(907) 235-3436 (just ask for R.E.C. Room!)
Outgoing Peer Educator Shenandoah Lush works with the new Peer Education Team over the summer, passing on some of her awesome presenting skills, before leaving for college this fall.
Contraceptive Corner: Implant
What is it?
The implant is a type of hormonal birth control. It is a tiny, plastic rod that is placed under the skin of the upper arm by a healthcare provider.
How does it work?
It works by slowly releasing a small amount of hormones into the body. These hormones prevent pregnancy by preventing ovulation (the release of eggs from the ovaries).
How effective is it?
It is over 99.9% effective.
How long does it last?
The implant lasts for up to 3 years.
What are some common side effects of the implant?
One of the most common side effects is changes in bleeding. Some users have light spotting or irregular bleeding throughout the month, while other users stop having their period altogether. Less common side effects can include minor changes in skin, weight, and mood.
How can I get the implant?
Call KBFPC to schedule your appointment today! A provider will help you determine if the implant is a birth control method that will work for you. The implant can often be inserted at the same appointment and takes only a few minutes to insert. The implant—along with a full range of contraceptive options—is available on our sliding scale.
Contact Information
Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic is a member-supported organization that provides broad access to reproductive health care services and education in a supportive and empowering environment.
Website: www.kbfpc.org
Location: 3959 Ben Walters Lane, Homer, AK, United States
Phone: 907-235-3436
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KBFPC