How do women make these decisions?
Shame is also, unfortunately, a factor and often deters young women from asking questions and reaching out.
I also believe that the conversations have gotten so much louder."
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Who’s Taking Birth Control?
I also believe that the conversations have gotten so much louder.
Choices in contraceptive methods are personal and, sometimes, painstaking.
For Natalie in New York City, changing relationship dynamics initiated her switch in birth control.
“Before I was in a relationship, I was fine with just using condoms,” Natalie says.
“But once I started getting serious with my partner I wanted something more reliable.
“I was worried I wouldn’t have the pill covered under Trump,” Mary Kate says.
Intrauterine devices (IUDs) were a common choice among the women interviewed for this article.
Natalie
Before I was in a relationship, I was fine with just using condoms.
But coming to this solution was the result of both professional help and trial and error.
Creating a space where this can happen is really beautiful.
Participants reported using this method alongside other contraceptive options like condoms or the pill.
A few mentioned middle school and high school.
Unfortunately, systems can’t always be relied upon to deliver information on this topic.
“Creating a space where this can happen is really beautiful.”
What This Means For You
Today, conversations around birth control are more open and prevalent.
But there’s still room for improvement when it comes empowering young women through access and awareness.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Current Contraceptive Status Among Women Aged 15-49: United States, 2015-2017.
2016;58(6):621-627. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2016.02.004
