Planned Parenthood is well known for performing safe, legal abortions in their clinics – but what do you know about their other services? The clinic has been receiving quite a bit of negative attention, drawing focus away from the beneficial services it provides.

Planned Parenthood has been at the forefront of sexual health and reproductive services since it was founded in 1916 as the world’s first birth control clinic in New York City. Since then, they have expanded into nearly 700 locations all across the country, providing information and education to more than 5 million people worldwide each year. A recent video of a Planned Parenthood employee discussing post-abortion techniques recently went viral, reinforcing the belief that the primary service this company provides is abortion, when in fact, abortion services make up only 3 percent of what Planned Parenthood has to offer. Many of the services can also be received for cheap, or even be covered by medical insurance or paid through installment plans.

Below is a list of the health care services one could expect to find at most, if not all, of the Planned Parenthood locations.

General Health Services

Screenings are offered for cholesterol, diabetes, high blood pressure, and thyroid issues, as well as testing for anemia. Other services include flu and tetanus vaccines, physical exams including those needed for employment and sports, and even assistance with quitting smoking.

Women’s Health Services

For women specifically, there is screening for breast, cervical, and ovarian cancer. They offer procedures to prevent cervical cancer, Pap tests, and HPV tests. There are also identification and treatment options for endometriosis, female infertility, urinary tract infections, yeast infections, and vaginitis. They assist in menopause and menstruation, as well as performing pelvic exams.

Sexual and Family Health Services

Both genders can receive free or cheap methods of contraceptive (male or female condoms or oral, topical, and surgical birth control) as well as STI testing and treatments. Women who are pregnant can receive prenatal medications and assistance, referrals to adoption agencies, or safe abortions. You can even sign up for Family PACT at Planned Parenthood in California, which is a state program that provides no-cost family planning services to low-income men and women, including teens. Patients are eligible if they are low-income CA residents and do not have insurance that covers family planning, OR if they do have insurance but need to keep their services confidential. To see if you may qualify, you can call at 1-800-576-5544.

Planned Parenthood has a reputation for being solely for those seeking abortions and birth control, leading many people to think the clinic is not for them. The clinics themselves, however, are clean, friendly, and full of all types of patients seeking multiple services. Next time flu season comes around, it might be the time to give them a try.

Closest Planned Parenthood clinics to CSULB:

• Lakewood Health Center - 5525 E Del Amo Blvd, Lakewood CA 90713
• Long Beach Health Center - 2690 Pacific Avenue, Suite 370, Long Beach CA 90806