Earlier this week, the American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology (ACOG) published a recommendation that hospitals should begin offering all women access to long acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) options immediately after giving birth. Currently, many physicians wait to discuss birth control options with new mothers until they return for their postpartum follow-up visit. Unfortunately, this… Read more »
Starting on September 1, 2016, women in New York will no longer have to contend with a sexist tax on feminine hygiene products like tampons, sanitary napkins and panty liners. This tax on feminine products has been in effect since New York first adopted a sales tax in 1965. Other products such as condoms and… Read more »
Since an outbreak of the Zika virus struck Brazil in early 2015, governments throughout the Western Hemisphere have begun developing response plans and allotting funds to combat the virus’s spread. Because Zika poses the greatest threat to pregnant women, health officials have advised legislators that funding for reproductive health services must be a key component… Read more »
Yesterday the U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill in a party-line vote that has serious implications for women seeking abortions. The bill, called the Conscience Protection Act, is a TRAP (Targeted Regulation of Abortion Providers) law. These laws are designed to deliberately limit women’s access to abortions. The Conscience Protection Act was drafted by… Read more »
For the last several months, legislators in Northern Ireland have been engaged in a heated debate regarding one of the harshest anti-abortion laws in Europe. Under the current law, women in Northern Ireland can face up to 14 years in prison for receiving abortions. The law is so strict that the United Nations recently declared… Read more »
Not long ago, getting a prescription for hormonal birth control could be a time-consuming, stressful process for many women. Now, according to the New York Times, there are at least six digital ventures, including one from Planned Parenthood, that provide prescription contraceptives without requiring a visit to a doctor. Instead, women can simply sign up… Read more »
Teenagers might not be known for their stellar decision making skills, but according to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control, America’s teenagers are exercising more caution than ever when it comes to sex and contraception. Every two years, the CDC releases a comprehensive report that monitors common health-risk behaviors that contribute to… Read more »
In Ireland, a woman can face up to 14 years in prison for receiving an abortion except in cases where her own life is threatened by complications. This law was established in 1986 by an amendment to the Irish Constitution. In recent years it was received widespread criticism, both in Ireland and among the international… Read more »
Part of the reason conditions like cervical cancer and endometriosis are difficult to treat is because it’s not always easy for women to identify symptoms between annual exams. The longer it takes to notice these conditions, the harder they are to treat. If health issues are asymptomatic, it may take months or even years for… Read more »
A report released earlier today by the Guttmacher Institute is shedding light on the need for increased contraceptive access in developing regions all across the globe. The study, “Adding It Up: Costs and Benefits of Meeting the Contraceptive Needs of Adolescents,” was published by a team of researchers lead by Jacqueline E. Darroch, Ph.D. The… Read more »