Topic: birth control

What Happens To Your Body When You Stop Taking (Hormonal) Birth Control

What Happens To Your Body When You Stop Taking (Hormonal) Birth Control

I’ve been taking some form of hormonal birth control for the last eight years. While I have no intention of stopping anytime soon (no babies for me just yet!), I’ve started to wonder what will happen to my body when I do. Lots of my friends have ceased taking birth control, either because they want to get pregnant or because they want their bodies to return to a natural cycle. I talked to a few doctors for a refresher course in the science of birth control, and learned what really happens to your body once the hormones leave. More »

My IUD Is Killing Me With Cramps; Here’s How I’m Coping

My IUD Is Killing Me With Cramps; Here's How I'm Coping

Hey, friends. Remember that IUD I got in a few weeks ago? It’s still all up in my uterus–and, because it’s that special time in a lady’s month when everything goes to hormonal Hell in a handbag, it’s making itself known. Don’t worry, IUD. I didn’t forget about you. You wouldn’t let me. Because seriously, these cramps are above and beyond. But with the help of my friends (in real life and on Twitter and in our comments’ sections), I’m getting through. More »

Afternoon Links: You’re Probably Not Eating Enough Green Beans

Afternoon Links: You're Probably Not Eating Enough Green Beans

• Green beans can help you lose weight, feel healthier, and make mealtime easier (YouBeauty)

• Why your “number” doesn’t really matter (YourTango)

• Wanting to be prettier is making women sad–and besides, you’re beautiful as you are (The Frisky)

• How much do you know about dreams? Take this quiz to find out (DivineCaroline)

• The birth control benefit almost no one talks about (HuffPost Women)

Paul Ryan Wants To Limit Your Birth Control Access On ‘Day One’

Paul Ryan Wants To Limit Your Birth Control Access On 'Day One'

Paul Ryan may not have mentioned women’s reproductive rights or birth control access during the Republican National Convention, but that doesn’t mean it’s not still a priority with him. At a campaign event on Saturday in Orlando, the republican vice presidential candidate said he “guarantees” that mandating access to contraceptives through insurance would be gone on “day one.” More »

NYC Schools Want To Reduce Teen Pregnancies By Handing Out Plan B To 14-Year-Olds

NYC Schools Want To Reduce Teen Pregnancies By Handing Out Plan B To 14-Year-Olds

In an effort to reduce the 7,000 teen pregnancies each year in New York City, the Department of Education is launching a controversial new solution: The nurse’s office will hand out Plan B emergency contraceptives to girls as young as 14. As in, “Honey, don’t forget your lunch and your math homework, and be sure to stop by the nurse for your morning-after pill today.” More »

OB/GYNs Say IUDs Are Awesome For Teens, Too

OB/GYNs Say IUDs Are Awesome For Teens, Too

Well, this is highly relevant. According to updated guidelines by the  American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, IUDs and other forms of long-acting reversible contraception (LARC, for short) are far and away the best option for reducing teen pregnancy–and doctors should recommend them more. They’re the most effective and, most importantly, lease prone to user error. And based on what we learned about adult women and their misinformation about birth control this week, I’d say this recommendation is a hugely positive step. More »

Ann Romney Thinks Gay Marriage And Contraceptives Are Distractions, Not ‘Real’ Issues

Ann Romney Thinks Gay Marriage And Contraceptives Are Distractions, Not 'Real' Issues

During an interview with an Iowa TV station, First Lady wanna-be Ann Romney reiterates that she hears the American women and she is just like us–except for the fact that she doesn’t get the importance of issues like gay marriage and birth control because she refuses to even talk about these topics that are just “distracting” us from “real” issues. More »

Rep. Joe Walsh Rants About Sandra Fluke And Her ‘Embarrassing’ Birth Control Stance

Rep. Joe Walsh Rants About Sandra Fluke And Her 'Embarrassing' Birth Control Stance

If you really want to piss off Republicans, talk to them about Sandra Fluke and a woman’s right to have taxpayers fund her birth control. Fluke continues to be a thorn in the side of many Republicans, and now Illinois Rep. Joe Walsh is ranting about her and her ‘embarrassing’ stance on birth control at the Democratic National Convention last week. More »

Top 6 Promises Made At The DNC About Your Reproductive Health

Top 6 Promises Made At The DNC About Your Reproductive Health

Last night, President Obama asked for four more years to solve the “challenges that have built up over decades.” And while we are all familiar with the challenges of the economy, the job market and the budget deficit, another major challenge–that has gotten twisted and confused in some respects–is women’s reproductive health. It was impressive to hear from so many women and men this week about this issue, so in case you missed it all, here is a round-up of the most notable promises made at the DNC about women’s repro health. Do you believe them? More »

So…I’m Finally Getting An IUD; Let’s Talk About It

So...I’m Finally Getting An IUD; Let's Talk About It

It’s no secret that I’m pretty passionate about women’s health–and my own desire to not have children. Which is why so many of my friends (and readers) are surprised to hear that I don’t have what so many of them have: An IUD. And really, there’s no good reason why I don’t have one, except that I am a big, whiny, afraid-of-the-doctor baby who has previously been too scared to take the plunge. But I’m finally doing it. More »

Sandra Fluke Shames Republicans At DNC Over Women’s Rights And Birth Control

Sandra Fluke Shames Republicans At DNC Over Women's Rights And Birth Control

The women at the Democratic National Convention are quite simply kicking ass this week. First we had Nancy Keenan and Michelle Obama speaking on women’s reproductive rights (something the Republicans were too cowardly to do). Then last night we watched Cecile Richards, the president of Planned Parenthood, give a moving speech about our bodies and our rights. And perhaps, the you-go-girl award of the week goes to Sandra Fluke for shaming Republicans for trying to silence her over birth control. More »

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