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The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote, and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts.

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Family Planning

Florida Department of Health in DeSoto County

Family Planning Services:

  • Comprehensive family planning care for minors and adult clients of child bearing age and status.
  • Education and counseling on all methods of birth control with providers certified in Nexplanon and IUD insertions.
  • Developing your Reproductive Life Plan is an important part of your care.
  • Referrals for specialty care for colposcopy and cryosurgery procedures and follow up for abnormal PAP tests.
  • Sterilization counseling for women and men at and over the age of 21 years.
  • Vasectomy Procedures for males over 21 years of age. (limited number per year)
  • Sterilization procedure ESSURE for women over 21 years of age. (limited number per year)
  • Low cost or no cost pregnancy testing.
  • Emphasis on education for prevention of STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections) including HIV and healthy lifestyle choices.
  • Treatment of STIs as part of your family planning care.

Family Planning plays a key role in the prevention of unintended pregnancy, including adolescent (teen) pregnancy. The prevention of unintended pregnancies has a positive effect on the improvement of birth outcomes. In addition, family planning information, education and services reduce both the incidence and impact of sexually transmitted diseases through screening and treatment.

The Florida Department of Health in DeSoto County provides health services to those who are able to become pregnant and are in need of contraception. We will assist you in the development of your Reproductive Life Plan.

Services are provided in a confidential manner. Fees are based on eligibility determination. Family Planning services are usually provided to teens at no cost.
We provide services for the uninsured as well as Medicaid, including Family Planning Medicaid Waiver,  Medicaid HMOs, and most private insurance plans.

Family Planning Methods

The DOH-DeSoto County provides several Family Planning Methods for you to choose from. These include:
Barrier Methods put up a block or barrier that keeps the sperm from reaching the egg.

  • Female Condom
  • Male Condom

Hormonal Methods prevent pregnancy by interfering with ovulation, fertilization, and/or implantation of the fertilized egg.

  • Combined pill (“The pill”)
  • Progestin-only pill (“Mini-pill”)
  • The Patch
  • Shot/Injection (Depo-Provera)
  • Vaginal Ring (NuvaRing)

Implantable Devices are inserted into the body and left in place for several years.

  • Nexplanon (single rod)
  • IUD / IUS (Paragard and Mirena)

Permanent Birth Control Methods are for people who are sure they never want to have a child or they do not want more children.

  • Female Sterilization (Tubal Ligation or Essure)
  • Male Sterilization (Vasectomy)

Emergency Contraceptives should only be used if a woman’s primary method of birth control fails.

Pregnancy Testing

Pregnancy Testing (urine/blood testing) is available. Services are provided in a confidential manner. Call 863-491-7580 for more information! Results are available immediately.