1. Joan G. Lovering
Health Center
Cont race ptive Counsel ing
Product/Service Information
Tel: 555 555 5555
Contraceptive
Counseling
559 Portsmouth Ave
PO Box 456
Greenland, NH 03840
Toll Free: 1-877-436-7588
Phone: 603-436-7588
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Lovering Health
Website: www.joangloveringhealthcenter.org
What does the
Joan G. Lovering Health
Center offer?
Staff at the Joan G. Lovering Health center
are available to explain the different methods
of birth control and answer any questions
about use and effectiveness. Methods offered
include:
Birth control pills
IUD – Mirena or Paraguard
Depo-Provera (“the shot”)
Nuvaring
Diaphragm
The Patch
Individuals can be counseled at the center on
different contraceptive options available to
them. However, the prescribing provider
makes the final decision on any method cho-
sen, based on medical history and individual
risk factors.
Our Mission
The Health Center is an independent, local,
nonprofit clinic. We are dedicated to providing
confidential, comprehensive and accurate sex-
ual health information and services to all fe-
males and males on New Hampshire’s Seacoast
in a safe, supportive environment. We are com-
mitted to being the region’s premier resource
for sexual health education. It is our passion to
honor, respect and advocate for the right of eve-
ryone to maintain freedom and choices regard-
ing their own sexual health in keeping with the
feminist health care model and tradition.

2. What is
Family Planning?
Family planning is the planning of when
to have children. There are many differ-
ent measures that one can take to develop
this plan. The first being the use of con-
traceptives or birth control. This can also
sometimes lower the risk of contracting
certain sexually transmitted diseases.
Everyone is different and it is really im-
portant for you to choose a birth control
method that is right for you and your life-
styles. Any women who smoke cigarettes
and are over the age of 35 should not use
hormonal birth control pills because of an
increased risk of blood clots. Hormonal
birth control methods may also have
symptoms that vary from woman to
woman. Talk to your doctor to decide
which method of contraception works
best for you and your lifestyle.
Non-Hormonal
Methods
Effectiveness if
used correctly
Use
Male Condom 85% alone, 97% with spermicides
A new condom must be used every
time you have sex.
Female Condom 95%
A new condom must be used every
time you have sex.
Spermicides
94% (use with a vaginal barrier
increases effectiveness)
Must be used every time you have
sex.
Diaphragm 85%
Must be used every time you have
sex, along with an application of
fresh spermicide.
Sterilization Greater than 99% effective
This procedure is permanent and
irreversible.
Copper IUD (Paraguard) 99%
The IUD can be kept in for up to
10 years with
continuous protection.
Hormonal Methods
Effectiveness if
used correctly
Use
The Pill 99%
The Pill has to be taken every day
once a day at the same time.
The Patch 99%
The patch is applied to an area of
the skin once a week for 3 weeks,
during the fourth week no patch is
used.
IUD (Mirena) 99%
The IUD can be kept in for up to 5
years with continuous protection.
The Shot (Depo-Provera) 99%
An injection of hormones is given
once every 3 months.
The Vaginal Ring (Nuvaring) 99%
The ring is inserted into the vagina
once every three weeks, during the
fourth week no ring is needed.
What are my options for methods of contraception?