Our health department offers family planning services to men and women providing the information and means to assist them in planning their children and preventing unplanned pregnancies.
According to the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy half of all pregnancies in the are described by women themselves as unplanned - about 3 million each year.
Three in ten girls get pregnant at least once by the age of 20. Among young women in their twenties, seven in ten pregnancies are unplanned. Six in ten teens who have had sex say they wish they had waited.
If you are a parent, it is important to talk to your teen about sex.
If you are a teen, the best way to prevent an unplanned pregnancy is to educate yourself about different forms of birth control. Remember, abstinence is ALWAYS a safe choice.
Young men and women, under the age of 18, are welcome to our family planning program and may be seen without a parent, but parental involvement is encouraged.
All services are confidential.
Cost for services is on a sliding fee scale based on your income and family size. We assist in applying for Family Planning Waiver Medicaid (Medicaid for family planning services only). Family planning services for minors are based on the minor's income.
- Physical exam
- Pap smear
- Referral for mammogram (for women over 40)
- Birth Control
- Emergency Contraception
- Pregnancy Tests
- Adolescent and adult immunizations, including the vaccine for human papillomavirus - HPV (Gardisil) for eligible patients
- Tests and treatment for sexually transmitted infections such as: gonorrhea, syphilis, genital warts, Chlamydia
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) counseling and testing
- Other referrals as needed
Family planning health education helps you learn about:
- Birth control methods (including vasectomy and tubal ligation)
- Reducing your risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections
- Reducing your risk of dating violence/domestic violence
- Breast self exam
- Smoking cessation
- Nutrition
Birth Control Methods available at the health department:
- Birth control pills
- Depo Provera (birth control shot)
- Mirena IUD
- Paraguard IUD
- Condoms
planMYstory
planMYstory is an initiative to help women and men in Mitchell County learn more about first-line birth control choices. This initiative is supported by the Toe River Health District, Mission Community OB/GYN and Mountain Area Health Education Center.
Learn more
Free condoms are always available at the health department
Domestic Violence Resources
- Avery Citizens Against Domestic Abuse (ACADA) Home, Inc. of Avery County (828) 733-3512
- Mitchell County Safe Place, Inc.
