by DAMIAN KELLY
Having children can be a great blessing, but it can also cause emotional, financial and physical strain for those who did not plan the pregnancy. Some women have completed the childbearing stages of their lives; others want to wait until after marriage, college graduation or career development to have a baby. Some women may not be sure that they want children at all.
Whatever the reason, there are many birth control options available, and one of the most reliable choices is an intrauterine device (IUD).
Kheir Clinic is here to help women prevent unplanned pregnancies by offering IUD insertion for low or no cost. An IUD is a small, T-shaped plastic device that is placed in the uterus with a plastic string attached to the end to ensure correct placement. An IUD is a long-term, reversible form of birth control that can be removed by a medical professional at any time should the patient change her mind.
The device, which lasts for five years, doesn’t require a woman to establish a consistent schedule as other birth control methods require. Once the device has been inserted, a woman can return to normal activities such as sex, exercise and swimming as soon as she is comfortable. Strenuous physical activity does not affect the position of the IUD. Women can also use tampons as soon as they wish after an IUD is placed.
According to Kheir medical assistant Elizabeth Magallon (who is also a certified family planning health worker), the IUD’s primary benefits are its effectiveness and simplicity. The device prevents pregnancy for years with no additional medication, shots or birth control methods required.
“As a woman, your life gets busy and it’s difficult to remain consistent if your birth control method requires a regular schedule in order for it to work. The IUD is a worry-free device,” Magallon said.
Females who are 15 or older may receive a free IUD at Kheir Clinic through the Family PACT program. To qualify for FPACT, a female must be 13-55 years old, a resident of California and have an income less than 200 percent above the poverty level. In addition, a female must have a clear Pap smear test and, if applicable, be checked for chlamydia and gonorrhea.
At Kheir Clinic, educational materials and consent forms are distributed to all patients interested in the IUD. Before having the procedure done, every patient will understand how the device works, how it is inserted and the warning signs, in case there is a complication.
The procedure itself only takes five minutes, but has been known to cause women to feel dizzy shortly after insertion. It is recommended that women have someone available to drive them home after the procedure. A follow-up appointment is recommended six weeks after the insertion to verify that the device is working.
Enrollment for FPACT is available at Kheir’s Patient Resources Department, where enrollment counselors provide application assistance at no cost in English, Korean and Spanish. In addition, Kheir is a Certified Enrollment Entity and can provide application assistance for a variety of other public resources, including Medi-Cal, CalFresh Food Stamps, cancer screening programs and family planning services.
To schedule an appointment for the IUD procedure and no and low cost services at Kheir Clinic, please call (213) 637-1070.
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Korean Health Education, Information & Research Center (KHEIR)
The KHEIR Center, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit service agency, was founded in 1986 to serve as a liaison between recently immigrated Korean Americans and existing health and human services in Los Angeles. Since, it has evolved into a comprehensive multi-service agency that renders primary and preventive health care, with a special focus on providing culturally and linguistically appropriate support to the low income, limited- English speaking Korean and Latino residents. The KHEIR Center includes the only full-time community clinic in the United States that offers assistance in English, Spanish and Korean. With funding from government agencies, public and private foundations, and individual donations, KHEIR will continue its mission of caring for the community by providing quality health and human services to the under-served and uninsured residents of Southern California.
KHEIR Administration
3727 W. Sixth St., Ste. 210
Los Angeles, CA 90020
t: (213) 427-4000
f: (213) 427-4008
KHEIR Community Clinic
3727 W. Sixth St., Ste. 200
Los Angeles, CA 90020
t: (213) 637-1070
f: (213) 251-8647
KHEIR Human Services
3727 W. Sixth St., Ste. 230
Los Angeles, CA 90020
t: (213) 637-1080
f: (213) 637-1075
KHEIR Adult Day Health Care Center
Vermont
3030 W. Eighth St.
Los Angeles, CA 90005
t: (213) 389-6565
f: (213) 389-6262
www.lakheir.org
