Find patient resources on health topics here.
Bedsider is an online birth control support network for women 18-29 operated by Power to Decide, the campaign to prevent unplanned pregnancy.
The CDC delivers the latest research findings on a wide range of sexual health topics.
Power to Decide, formerly the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy, provides trusted, high-quality, accurate information—backed by research—on sexual health and contraceptive methods so young people can make informed decisions.
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Come to any of our clinics to get testing and treatment for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, HIV, herpes, and other sexually transmitted infections, vaginal infections and urinary tract infections.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) can be very serious. If you think you are at risk, contact your local family planning health center.
- Over half of people aged 15-25 in the United States have an STD.
- Having an STD can increase your chances of getting another STD or HIV/AIDS.
- An untreated STD can lead to the inability to have a baby for both women and men.
- 70% of people who have an STD show NO symptoms.
- Human Papilloma Virus is a leading cause of cervical cancer in women.
- STDs can lead to Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) in women.
The best way to prevent STDs is to use condoms during sexual activity or to abstain from sex completely. You can pick up condoms at any Maine Family Planning clinic.
HIV and AIDS
HIV stands for Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV finds and destroys a type of white blood cell (T cells or CD4 cells) that our immune systems need in order to fight disease. AIDSstands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. Having AIDS means that HIV has weakened the immune system so much that the body can not effectively fight infections.
Symptoms of HIV Infection
The only way to know whether you are infected is to be tested for HIV. You cannot rely on symptoms alone because many people who are infected with HIV do not have symptoms for many years. Maine Family Planning offers rapid, confidential HIV testing.
The most effective ways to prevent HIV are to use condoms during sexual activity and/or to abstain from sex and IV drug use completely. Maine Family Planning provides consultations and prescriptions for PrEP, a daily pill that significantly reduces the risk of HIV infection.
Modern treatment allows individuals with HIV to live longer, healthier lives than in the past. Treatment improves the health of people with HIV and lowers the risk of transmitting the virus to others. MFP can provide referrals for treatment.
Information about all your options in pregnancy can be found at All-Options
Information about our Abortion Services can be found here
Abortion services in other states can be found here
Resources after you’ve had an abortion can be found at Exhale
GLSEN works to ensure that every student, in every school, is valued and treated with respect, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
Equality Maine works to support gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in Maine, and maintains a directory of LGBTQ organizations around the state.
Maine TransNet provides support and resources for the transgender community, families, and significant others, and offers trainings about the varied forms of gender identity and expression.
Out Maine works to serve LGBTQ youth and their allies in rural Maine, and provides educational trainings for schools, teachers, and parents.
Amaze provides videos for young people, ages 10 to 14, about sex, relationships, and their bodies.
KidsHealth is a reliable, medically-accurate source of health information for students. There are separate pages for kids, teens, parents, and educators.
Scarleteen is an independent sexuality and relationships support network designed for young people, ages 15-25.Scarleteen provides medically accurate, honest information about issues related to sexual health.
Sex, etc. is a website dedicated to providing youth with accurate, honest information about sexual health. The website, published by Answer, is written for teens by teens.
Stay Teen provides informational resources and community activities to help prevent teen and unintended pregnancy, including a birth control method explorer. Sponsored by Power to Decide, the Campaign to Prevent Unplanned Pregnancy.
Sexual Violence Prevention
Love is Respect is the ultimate resource to empower youth to prevent and end dating abuse. It is a project of the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
The Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault is organized to end sexual violence in Maine and to support high quality sexual violence prevention and response within Maine communities.
The Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence is comprised of nine local domestic violence resource centers, which provide 24-hour services to people impacted by abuse in all corners of our state. Education and trainings are provided within schools and community settings.
RAINN is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization.