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Care Net Pregnancy Center
of the Mount Washington Valley
(located in Conway, New Hampshire)

So you think you can't get an STD...
Facts About STD'S
What About Condoms?
Emotional Health
Check List
Pregnant? Unsure?
Considering Abortion

Online video: Pro-Choice? A doctor’s perspective
http://www.vimeo.com/2950248

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It Won't Happen To Me...

You Can Get An STD

Think that you can't or won't get an STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease)?

Every year, almost 4 million American teenagers get an STD.
If you've had sex, you could be infected with one or more STD's
such as genital herpes, chlamydia, or human papiloma virus (HPV).
Some STD's cause symptoms. Others don't. You could have one now
and not even know it. Some STD's make you sick today and others
cause problems later in life - serious problems like cancer or infertility.
So you may want to get the facts straight!

How can you get an STD? By having sex (vaginal, anal, oral)
with an infected person.

How can I avoid being infected with an STD? Abstinence from sexual
intercourse is the only certain way to avoid being infected.
If you haven't had sex, your chances of getting HPV are small.
If you've already had sex, get checked out by having a
comprehensive STD screening.Back to top

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Sexuality is a part of our everyday life. What are you doing to
educate yourself? The more facts you have, the healthier and
safer you will be.

Facts About The Most Common STD's Today

Human papilloma virus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted virual infection
that infects the skin and mucous membranes, including those in
the genital area. HPV is transmitted two ways: by skin-to-skin contact
and by contact with infected body fluids. It is most often spread by
sex play or sexual intercourse (vaginal, anal or oral sex). There is no
cure for HPV. Because most people don't know they have HPV,
they don't seek treatment. Warts cause by HPV can be treated,
but treatment doesn't guarantee the warts won't return. HPV is the
most common viral STD. Some people with HPV have warts on (or in)
their genitals, but most people with HPV don't know they are infected.
A Pap smear can detect HPV infection in women. Infection with certain
strains of HPV causes cervical cancer in women. All sexually active
women should have regular Pap smears so that cervical cancer and
other problems caused by HPV can be recognized and treated.

Chlamydia is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted disease.
Chlamydia can be treated with antibiotics. But if you don't know
you're infected, you won't get treatment. If you have had sex,
see your doctor and get checked. If treatment is delayed, infected
women can get a pelvic inflammatory disease (a serious
complication of Chlamydia). PID can cause problems now
(abdominal pain) and problems later (difficulty getting
pregnant or infertility). Most infected people especially
women don't have symptoms, so they can't tell. Even without symptoms,
infected people can pass Chlamydia to every person they have sex with.
When people with Chlamydia do have symptoms, the symptoms
may include pain when going to the bathroom or a "discharge"
coming from the penis or vagina.

Genital herpes is a common infection caused by the
herpes simplex virus, usually, HSV-2. One in five Americans
12 and older has genital herpes. Antiviral medications help the
symptoms, but can't cure the disease. People who have one painful
skin outbreak of genital herpes almost always have other outbreaks.
If you have genital herpes, even if you don't have blisters or sores,
you can spread the infection during sex. And if you have genital herpes
and have sex with a person who is infected with HIV, your chances
for catching HIV increase. Most people with genital herpes (HSV-2)
don't know they are infected. When symptoms are present, they
often include blisters or sores in the genital area. Infected people
can also have pain and burning when going to the bathroom.
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They're Not As "Safe" As You May Think...

What About Condoms?

OK, condoms are better than nothing, but they're far from perfect.

It's misleading to think condoms make sex safe. Even if they are
used consistently and correctly, they can slip or break. And, do you
know condoms don't cover everything? Some STDs, like HPV and herpes,
can be passed by direct, intimate, skin-to-skin contact from areas not
covered by the condom. Oral and anal sex can be dangerous as well.

To sum it up--condoms provide inadequate protection from STDs!
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You Are Valued!

Caring For Your Emotional Health

In today's culture, many people think sex is no big deal. But when
YOU are the one facing an STD or unwanted pregnancy, or who's
been hurt by a sexual relationship, it IS a big deal.

As you consider a sexual relationship, remember to think about
your physical and emotional health, and your plans and goals
for the future. Your life is packed with potential-for a career, health,
family and happiness. To help reach your potential, pay close
attention to your choices. Abstinence until marriage cuts your
risk-and gives you more possibilities for the future.

Think about your reasons for having a sexual relationship. Many
people let peer pressure, rebellion or loneliness guide their sexual
behavior. This often leads to regret and disappointment. Some seek
intimacy by having sex and find that it doesn't provide what they're
looking for, and it also destroys communication, warmth and
commitment in the relationship.

So think about your choices and your future. Even if you've made
mistakes in the past, you can make healthy choices now for a better tomorrow.

If you've been hurt by a past relationship, or want more information,
e-mail us or come in and talk to someone who cares and can offer
you help and hope.Back to top

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Here's A Simple Test To Take...

Healthy Relationships Checklist:

We want to help you have healthy relationships. So, we've provided you with a survey to help you look
at your relationships. Just answering these questions will help you put your relationship into perspective.

On a scale of one (least) to ten (most), how important are your
relationships with the opposite sex?

Would you like to be married someday?

How important is it to you that your boy/girl friend is only involved
with you?

If you marry, how important is it for your spouse to be faithful to you?

How important is it for you to be faithful to your spouse?

If you know your spouse right now, would you want him or her to have
sexual relationships with the opposite sex before your marriage?

Does the fear of getting a STD affect your choices about sex?

How about pregnancy?

How satisfied are you with your current relationship?

How likely is it that your relationship will last your lifetime...
or even more than a year?

Have you seriously discussed the future of your relationship
with your boy/girl friend?

How long have you been dating?

How long has sex been a part of your relationship?

Who was most anxious for sex to be a part of your relationship?

Do you spend more or less time talking about things than you did
before sex?

Are there more or fewer arguments in your relationship now than
there was before you had sex?

Was your relationship more or less enjoyable before you and
your boy/girl friend had sex?

How would your boy/girl friend respond if you decided
not to have sex anymore?

Want to know more about healthy relationships? Contact us

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Are You Pregnant? Don't Know? We Are Here For You...

The decisions facing you are hard, and you need information
you can trust!

At Care Net Pregnancy Center of the Mount Washington Valley, you will be
treated with respect and your story will be listened to in a safe,
non-judgmental environment.

You do have choices! Perhaps more than you realize and that
is why we provide accurate, up-to-date educational information
on all your options.

Contact us and make an appointment with a compassionate client
advocate who wants to know about your situation and is willing to
take time to help you.

Think you want an abortion? Click here

"I felt comfortable talking about my problem. I heard the facts of life.
Reality was put back in its place."

We Are Here To Help You...
You do not have to wait for a missed period to find out if you are pregnant!

With over the counter pregnancy tests, you have to wait until you have
missed your period. Care Net Pregnancy Center of the Mount Washington Valley
offers a three minute, free pregnancy test that can detect the presence
of hCG, the hormone that indicates pregnancy, 3-4 days after
implantation of the fertilized egg.

Pregnancy begins when the male's sperm fertilizes or joins with the
female's ovum (egg). The average duration of pregnancy is 38-42 weeks
and is divided into 3 trimesters: 1 day-12 weeks; 13-26 weeks;
and 26 weeks-birth.

You might be pregnant if...
   you have missed one or more menstrual periods
   your breasts are swollen and/or tender
   you are nauseated or have had a change in appetite
   you are tired or dizzy
   you have to urinate more often
   you have recently gained or lost weight

If you have any questions, pleasecontact us.
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Before You Decide...

Your Options

Abortion

No one wants to have an abortion, yet many people feel that abortion is their
only choice. Before you make any decisions about your pregnancy, get as much
educational information as possible. Abortion is a surgical procedure. And
no surgery is without risk. Remember, it's your body we're talking about!
Did you know that there are various abortions for each trimester of pregnancy?
The risks vary depending on which procedure is used. Abortion also causes
future physical and emotional complications for some women. Empower
yourselves with the facts-before you decide.

Parenting

Each choice facing you is hard. But then again, nothing worthwhile
is ever easy. You may be asking yourself: "What about school and
my career? Am I ready to have a child? What about adoption?"
At Care Net, we're here to listen to your questions in a supportive
environment and provide accurate information for your
unique situation.You may need help getting through the pregnancy.
Perhaps someone to listen and encourage you every step of the way.
At Care Net, we're good at that! We can also give referrals for
medical care, social services and housing. We help at your point
of decision and beyond, for weeks, months, even years!

Adoption

There are consequences to this choice. Often, this seems to be
the most difficult decision, regardless of it's impact on your career,
education, financial stability and relationships. The idea of carrying
a child for nine months only to release him or her into the care
of another family may seem emotionally impossible. However,
if parenting a child at this point in your life would be difficult,
this option may have some benefits. Our client advocates
will help you examine this option further.

Contact us and make an appointment with one our compassionate
client advocates who wants to know about your situation and is
willing to take the time to help you. Contact us
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