Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin Resumes Full Reproductive Health Services in Sheboygan at Newly Renovated Facility

MILWAUKEE – Today, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin (PPWI) announced the opening of a new, conveniently located health center located at 909 S. Taylor Drive in Sheboygan that will enhance access to needed health care. The newly renovated health center was made possible entirely thanks to the generous financial support of individuals throughout Wisconsin.

Planned Parenthood has been proudly serving the Sheboygan community since 1973. Since last August, Planned Parenthood has worked with members of the community to identify a new health center space in Sheboygan to enhance the availability of health care services for women and men. The new Sheboygan health center restores access to the full range of Planned Parenthood’s trusted, preventive health care services including breast and cervical cancer screenings, birth control, well woman check-ups, STD testing and treatment, testicular exams, honest sex education and health care referrals for prenatal care, adoption and cancer treatment.

Planned Parenthood will also offer three new medical services for patients at this location including: endometrial biopsy and polyp removals, early pregnancy complication services (miscarriage management) and medication abortion services. Each of these services detailed below address the diverse and complex health needs of our patients:

• Endometrial biopsy: usually performed to diagnose abnormal uterine bleeding. This test can help evaluate the cause of infertility or uterine infections and can be used to monitor the response to certain medications.
• Early pregnancy complication: diagnose and care for health complications during pregnancy.
• Medication abortion: an option to safely and effectively end an early pregnancy, within the first 10 weeks, with medication. Medication abortion services are available at two additional Planned Parenthood locations in Milwaukee and Madison.

Statement from Tanya Atkinson, President and CEO of PPWI:

“At Planned Parenthood, we believe part of having a healthy community is making sure everybody has access to the health care they need. With only two health centers in Wisconsin providing abortion services in Milwaukee and Madison, the addition of medication abortion services in the northeastern part of Wisconsin will improve timely access for women in need of early medical care.

“Deciding to start a family, delay becoming a parent or ending a pregnancy are some of the most personal decisions a woman will make. At Planned Parenthood, we create the space for a woman to make these important decisions free of judgement and in consultation with her family, her faith and her medical provider.

“One in five women trusts Planned Parenthood at some point in her life for essential health care. Planned Parenthood is here for a woman no matter her income, no matter her zip code – no matter what.

“With the recent spikes in STD rates within Sheboygan county, we are looking forward to resuming our ability to test and treat STDs for our patients as part of our mission to enhance the overall health and wellbeing of the community.

“We are grateful to the community’s ongoing support and look forward to building on our commitment to help keep Sheboygan safe, healthy and strong.”

Background Information: 

Under the leadership of President and CEO, Tanya Atkinson, along with Board Chair Lisa Remby, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin (PPWI) is the state’s largest, most trusted non-profit reproductive health care provider. PPWI offers confidential, nonjudgmental reproductive health care services at 21 health centers across Wisconsin.

Planned Parenthood is a proud community health partner. For 45 years, Planned Parenthood has provided affordable, quality health care to more than 1,000 patients in Sheboygan each year, including breast and cervical cancer screenings, birth control, well woman check-ups, STD testing and treatment, testicular exams, honest sex education and health care referrals for prenatal care, adoption and cancer. The Guttmacher Institute estimates there are 6,260 Sheboygan women in need of affordable women’s health services.

Since 2015 Sheboygan has seen a steady increase in STD rates highlighting the need for continued access to education and STD testing and treatment. On a positive note, the teen birth rate in Sheboygan has fallen from a high of 19.7 to 13.2 due to a reduction in unintended pregnancy. Nationally the decline in teen births has been attributed to improved access to and use of contraceptives.

Planned Parenthood offers both medication and surgical abortion services at health centers in Milwaukee and Madison. Together these Planned Parenthood facilities serve approximately 4,000 patients each year. No state or federal funding goes toward abortion services.

Medication abortion has been safe and legal in the United States since the FDA approved its use nearly 18 years ago. Many women choose medication abortion because it them the option of ending a pregnancy in a setting in which they feel most comfortable, while still providing them with the medical support and information they need.

Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin is a nonprofit health care provider caring for 60,000 patients annually at 21 health centers. 97 percent of Planned Parenthood’s care is preventive health services including well woman exams, breast and cervical cancer screenings, birth control, HIV screening, and STD treatment.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.