February 8, 2012

Are you interested in sexual and reproductive health issues? Are you 16 to 29 years old? If so, we want your input!

The South Carolina Contraceptive Access Campaign (SCCAC) is conducting Informal Group Discussions in the Greenville and Columbia areas. Your feedback will help us understand young people's knowledge and attitudes about Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs — also known as IUDs and Implanon), as well as understand the types of websites and resources you prefer to use in obtaining contraceptive information.

- The feedback session will last for an hour and a half.
- Consent forms and refreshments will be provided.
- At the end of the session, participants will be provided a $20 gift card.

If you live in the GREENVILLE AREA, the Informal Group Discussion will take place on Monday, February 20 at AID Upstate, 13 South Calhoun St., Greenville, SC 29601. The specific event time will be shared based upon your eligibility (see below), so please let us know your availability for the following time slots: 2:00pm, 4:00pm, and 6:00pm.

If you live in the COLUMBIA AREA, the Informal Group Discussion will take place on Tuesday, February 21 at Riggs Partners PR, 750 Meeting St., West Columbia, SC 29169. The specific time will be shared based upon your eligibility (see below), so please let us know your availability for the following time slots: 2:00pm, 4:00pm, and 6:00pm.

In order to help us determine your eligibility for the Informal Group Discussions, please email us back with the eligibility information specified below. You are not required to send us this info, but you may not be able to participate in the Informal Group Discussion if we are unable to determine your eligibility. This info will be used in our selection process and to ensure that we have a diverse group of participants.

- Name:
- Age:
- Race/Ethnicity:
- School Attending:
- Employer:
- Phone and/or Email address:
- Please share whether you have ever participated in a focus group conducted by the SCCAC by indicating YES or NO:

Please contact India Walters via email at india@advocatesforyouth.org or via phone at 803-834-7757 by Thursday, February 16 if you are interested in participating in an Informal Group Discussion. There are only a few slots available and participants will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Thank You,

India Walters
SC Contraceptive Access Campaign
india@advocatesforyouth.org
803-834-7757

Hello Everyone-

The South Carolina Contraceptive Access Campaign has decided to extend the deadline to apply for the Youth Activist positions until Monday, January 16th, 2012. We are accepting applications for youth and young adults (ages 16-24) to serve as a Youth Activist working on sexual and reproductive health issues in the Charleston , Columbia , Greenville , and Orangeburg areas! We are continuing with the recruitment process NOW towards creating a team of highly qualified and motivated youth and young adults to work with us on our New Media Campaign program.

We are looking for youth and young adults (ages 16-29) who have a true passion and interest in the field of sexual and reproductive health, who live in the Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, or Orangeburg areas, and are willing to work in the their community to make a DIFFERENCE!

Please pass this information and application on to all youth and young adults who you believe would be great advocates for sexual and reproductive health. Feel free to pass this information along to others as well, as they may know someone who would be best for the job.

Click here to download an application or visit www.southcarolinasafersex.org for an application. The NEW deadline to apply is Monday, January 16th, 2012.

Learn more about the campaign at www.southcarolinasafersex.org. Please contact India Walters, Program Associate for the South Carolina Contraceptive Access Campaign, at india@advocatesforyouth.org if you have any questions.

Thank you for your assistance in the recruitment process. And remember, the NEW application deadline is Monday, Monday, January 16th, 2012.

Thank You,

India Walters
Program Associate, South Carolina Contraceptive Access Campaign
Advocates for Youth

As you all know, the SC Youth Activist Network conducts Pizza Protection Parties. If not, you can read about them here.

So at the past 2 parties I facilitated, I got a lot of great questions about the IUD (Intrauterine Device). 

How is it inserted/ removed?

IUD’s must be inserted AND removed by a licensed medical provider.

How long does it last?
IUDs can last for 10 years. If planning pregnancy, the IUD can be taken out early.

Will IUD affect a woman’s menstrual cycle?
Side effects will vary. Some women experience longer or heavier periods. Some women experience light spotting between periods.

Can the IUD fall out?
Yes, however this occurs in between 2-10% of cases. Out of these cases, it is most common for women that have not been pregnant or women that have recently given childbirth. (As you saw in the video above) The IUD has a string that hangs 3-4cm below the cervix. It is advised that users of IUD check for this string after each menstruation. Not feeling the strings however does not necessarily mean the IUD has been expelled. Most providers will schedule a follow-up appt. several weeks after insertion to check the IUD placement.

If you notice that your IUD comes out, notify your provider and (if you are not already) begin using an alternate form of birth control like condoms.

Can the women or her partner feel the strings during intercourse?
Any strong pains or abnormal sensations after the insertion of the IUD should be shared with your medical provider. Pains may indicate improper placement or movement of your IUD. If you or your partner feels the actual strings you can talk to your doctor about trimming the strings back.

Some people bend or “tuck” the strings toward the cervix so that the ends are not directed straight down the vagina.

If you have heard of Jessie J. you probably know that she is an outstanding singer/ songwriter. If you have not heard of Jessie J. 1) I’m sorry. 2) Well… you're welcome.

I just wanted to share 2 vids that I thought provided a positive message, especially with current anti-bullying efforts.

Hello Everyone-

The South Carolina Contraceptive Access Campaign is now accepting applications for youth and young adults (ages 16-24) to serve as a Youth Activist working on sexual and reproductive health issues in the Charleston , Columbia , Greenville , and Orangeburg areas!! We are continuing with the recruitment process NOW towards creating a team of highly qualified, motivated youth and young adults to work with us on our New Media Campaign program.

We are looking for youth and young adults (ages 16-24) who have a true passion and interest in the field of sexual and reproductive health, who live in the Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, and Orangeburg areas, and are willing to work in the their community to make a DIFFERENCE!!

Visit www.southcarolinasafersex.org for an application and to learn more about the campaign. The deadline to apply is Monday, January 2nd, 2012.

Please contact India Walters, Program Associate for the South Carolina Contraceptive Access Campaign, at india@advocatesforyouth.org if you should have any questions.

We look forward to receiving your application, and remember, the application deadline is Monday, January 2nd, 2012.

Thank You,

India Walters
Program Associate, South Carolina Contraceptive Access Campaign
Advocates for Youth