Birth Control
Access to safe, effective, and affordable contraception is essential to our health, well-being, and even economic success.
Access to safe, effective, and affordable contraception is essential to our health, well-being, and even economic success. Yet all too often, good information can be hard to find. And decisions made by distant policymakers — some well-intentioned, others not so much — can get in the way. The following fact sheets and articles touch on the health information and policy advocacy knowledge you need to make good choices for your health while becoming a smart activist for contraceptive access.
Health Facts
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Policy Info
Reproductive Coercion and Sterilization Abuse
By: NWHN Staff Gynecological Health, Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs), Reproductive Rights, Sterilization Fact Sheets, Health InfoIt’s not possible to understand present-day reproductive coercion, or its lasting impact on marginalized communities, without understanding the United States’ long history of sterilization abuse.
Contraception Self-Advocacy
By: Tessa Ruff Birth Control, Reproductive Freedom, Reproductive Health, Securing Sexual & Reproductive Health and Autonomy Deep Dive ArticlesAdvocating for yourself in the provider’s office
is a crucial part of ensuring that you get the best contraception care for you. Here are a few tips and strategies.
Smartphone Contraception: Policy Issues
By: NWHN Staff Apps, Birth Control, FDA Advocacy, Natural Cycles, Pregnancy Fact Sheets, Policy UpdatesNatural Cycles is a high-tech version of the classic rhythm method (also called natural family planning or the fertility awareness method) in which users track their ovulation cycles in order to avoid pregnancy.
Policy Issues: Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs)
By: NWHN Staff Activist Resources, Birth Control, Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs), Securing Sexual & Reproductive Health and Autonomy CampaignsAggressive promotion of LARCs—or of any method—infringes on reproductive autonomy, and can’t be separated from the broader context of reproductive coercion.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Evita Almassi, ealmassi@nwhn.org or (202) 682-2640
Brightness Among the Clouds: Positive Women’s Health Efforts at the FDA
By: Eliana Kosova ,Birth Control, Condoms, Contraceptive Ring, FDA Advocacy, Female Condom, Internal Condom Deep Dive ArticlesIn our current political climate, each day brings new attacks on reproductive health. Between the Trump-Pence administration’s attacks on access to birth control and Congress’s continual efforts to curtail abortion care, we are in an uphill battle when it comes...
Safety Precautions Surrounding Essure for Long-Term Birth Control
By: NWHN Staff ,Birth Control, Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs) Women’s Health FAQs"Bayer has recently announced they will remove Essure from the market, but my doctor has just recommended Essure as permanent birth control since it will be available until the end of the year... what should I know?"
NWHN Statement on Halt of Essure Sales in the U.S.
By: Cindy Pearson ,Birth Control, Essure, FDA Advocacy Press ReleasesFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Evita Almassi, ealmassi@nwhn.org or (202) 682-2640
10 Things to Know About Trump’s Title X Rule
By: NWHN Staff ,Abortion Restrictions, Birth Control, Title X, Trump Administration Policy UpdatesOn June 1, 2018, the Trump administration proposed drastic changes to Title X, the nation’s program for affordable birth control and reproductive health care. This proposed rule is #MoreThanAGagRule and threatens to take away quality, affordable reproductive health care and...
Cancer & Birth Control: Just Give Us the Facts
By: Cindy Pearson ,Barbara Seaman, Birth Control, The Women's Health Activist Newsletter Deep Dive ArticlesLegendary journalist Barbara Seaman co-founded the NWHN in 1975, in part due to her investigations into oral contraception’s serious health risks and doctors’ refusal to take women’s complaints seriously. Her work led to Congressional hearings and sparked the revolutionary idea...
What Is the Birth Control Implant and How Is It Different From an IUD?
By: NWHN Staff ,Birth Control, Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs) Women’s Health FAQsBoth birth control implants and IUDs are LARCs, or Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives, meaning these methods last for an extended period of time, are highly effective, and work without user action, but cannot be controlled or terminated by the user.
Update on Internal (Female) Condoms
By: NWHN Staff ,Birth Control, Female Condom, Internal Condom Deep Dive ArticlesInternal condoms, also called female condoms, are a barrier method of birth control used during intercourse to help prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. Unlike external, or male, condoms, internal condoms are controlled by the receptive partner.
The Power of Protection: Why the FDA’s Policy on Female Condoms Matters
By: Eliana Kosova ,Birth Control, Female Condom, Internal Condom Policy UpdatesA few weeks ago, the Food and Drug Administration issued a proposal that would update the single-use female condom to a Level II classification, and rename it the “internal condom.” Following FDA procedures, they opened the proposal up to comments.
NWHN Statement on Contemporary Hormonal Contraception and the Risk of Breast Cancer
By: Cindy Pearson ,Birth Control, Breast Cancer, Breast Health, Hormonal Birth Control Press ReleasesThe following statement can be attributed to Cynthia A. Pearson, Executive Director of the National Women’s Health Network. The Danish Sex Hormone Registry study on the risk of breast cancer with current hormonal contraception provides valuable information to help people...