One of the topics MFP’s Prevention Program covers in its comprehensive sexuality education curriculum is healthy relationships. Patients also confidentially discuss their relationships with MFP clinicians during regular wellness visits.
How do you know if you’re in a healthy relationship? Ask yourself some questions:
- Does my partner respect my choices?
- Does my partner support my using the best birth control for me and my lifestyle?
- Does my partner support my reproductive freedom — honoring my vision for if and when I have children?
- Who controls pregnancy decisions?
- Does my partner make me feel better about myself?
- Does my partner ever hurt, threaten, or humiliate me?
Your answers to these questions can illuminate not only the nature of your relationship but also what types of health care might be best for you.
For example, if your partner pressures you about using birth control — or not — there are methods of contraception that your partner doesn’t need to know about. Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs) like IUDs are one of these; emergency contraception (like Plan B or Ella) is another option.
Maine Family Planning offers the full range of birth control methods, including LARCs and emergency contraception.
If you need to talk to someone about your relationship, you have options.
- Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline: (800) 799-SAFE (7233)
- Call the Statewide Domestic Abuse Hotline: (866) 834-HELP (4357)
- Visit an MFP clinic or use the chat feature on our website
If you are worried about a friend, here are some tips on how to help from the One Love campaign.
