Family Planning

Desert Star Institute for Family Planning -  - Gynecologist

Desert Star Institute for Family Planning

Gynecologist & Family Planning located in Phoenix, AZ

While various forms of contraception have been used for centuries, the introduction of the birth control pill in 1960 made family planning available and more reliable. DeShawn Taylor, MD, MSc, FACOG, the founder of Desert Star Family Planning in Phoenix is a family planning specialist. She offers comprehensive consultations to help you decide if and when you start your family. Call Desert Star Family Planning or make an appointment online today to learn about how you can implement family planning.

Family Planning Q & A

What is family planning?

Family planning is the ability to control how many children you have and when you have them. Dr. Taylor offers educational resources, physical exams, and advice to help you decide when and if you have a baby. 

While family planning is often associated with abortion, it’s far more comprehensive and includes services to prevent unintended pregnancies as well as support for patients struggling with infertility.

What’s included in family planning?

Family planning services include an integrated array of services, including:

  • Contraception counseling and prescriptions
  • Pregnancy testing
  • Preconception health services
  • Basic infertility treatments
  • Breast and pelvic exams
  • Breast and cervical cancer screenings
  • STD testing and prevention advice
  • Counseling for unintended pregnancies
  • Abortion

Dr. Taylor is committed to helping you control when and if you start or grow your family. You have reproductive rights, and Dr. Taylor provides the services that allow you to exercise them. 

If you have questions about birth control, fertility, STDs, or abortion, call Desert Star Family Planning today. 

Why is family planning important?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that family planning is one of the 10 most significant public health achievements of the 20th century. 

When women and their partners gained the ability to control how many children they have, family sizes decreased, but so did infant and maternal mortality. 

Family planning also decreases unintended pregnancies and provides fertility support to couples who struggle to conceive. Additionally, family planning services reduce the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. 

For example, in 2015, family planning services helped prevent 1.9 million unintended pregnancies. An unintended pregnancy is either mistimed or unwanted. Some of the risks of unintended pregnancies include:

  • Delayed prenatal care
  • Reduced likelihood of breastfeeding
  • Increased risk of maternal depression
  • Increased risk of prenatal physical violence

When you can decide when you have a baby, you’re more likely to get the prenatal care you need, resulting in better health for you and your baby. You also reduce your baby’s risk of low birth weight as well as on-going physical and mental challenges.

Family planning can help you protect your health and well-being. If you have questions about family planning, call Dr. Taylor at Desert Star Family Planning or schedule a consultation online today.