Our Bodies Ourselves Today

What is an abortion? Our website provides a detailed, feminist overview on abortion and other key terms related to health and sexuality.    Abortion – terminating a pregnancy – is a safe medical procedure that millions of women and other menstruators obtain at some point in our lives. The most common types of abortion are: – Medication abortion, also called abortion with pills or medical abortion, makes up the majority of abortions in the United States. – Aspiration, or suction abortion, is a minimally invasive procedure. It is the most common form of surgical abortion.  – D & E (dilation and evacuation) involves dilating the cervix before removal of the pregnancy tissue by forceps or suction. – Induction abortion is very rare and performed later in pregnancy. It uses medications to induce labor and delivery of the fetus and pregnancy tissue.   Around the world, nearly half of all pregnancies are unintended, and about 60 percent of unintended pregnancies end in abortion. When we lack education and cannot get effective birth control, we are more likely to become pregnant whether we want to or not. There are more contraceptive options now than ever, but no birth control method is 100 percent effective.   People around the world use abortion to control reproduction regardless of whether abortion is legal or illegal. Banning or restricting abortion makes abortion more difficult and more dangerous for those seeking them, however.   Obtaining an abortion can be expensive. State restrictions can make abortions even more expensive, because people have to travel when abortions are prohibited or unavailable in their area.   No one should have to remain pregnant or have a child against her will. Each of us must be able to decide whether or not to continue a pregnancy, based on what we believe is best for our own unique situation. Our ability to make these personal decisions should not be restricted by the government, religious institutions, or any other group or individual. https://lnkd.in/eWrhkDNP #OBOSToday #OurBodiesOurselves #WhatIs #Abortion #AbortionIsAHumanRight #AbortionIsHealthcare #AbortionCare #AbortionAccess #AbortionRights 

What does abortion mean to you? We want to hear from you! Please share your answer in the comments. #OBOSToday #OurBodiesOurselves #WhatIs #Abortion #AbortionIsAHumanRight #AbortionIsHealthcare #AbortionCare #AbortionAccess #AbortionRights 

#PolycysticOvarySyndrome, or #PCOS, is a very common hormone-related disorder for reproductive-aged people with ovaries. It affects between 5-10% of people with ovaries.   In this story, Ash Nadeau, with Heartland Community Health Center, discusses her PCOS diagnosis and her journey with PCOS:   “My journey with PCOS began in my early 20s. After years of taking hormonal birth control, I decided to switch to an intrauterine device (IUD). A few months later I began noticing some unusual symptoms, which I assumed were side effects of the IUD. These symptoms included abnormal hair growth, weight gain, and acne.   At my yearly physical, I informed my primary care provider of the symptoms I was experiencing since switching to an IUD. To my surprise, my provider suggested a blood test and ultrasound to rule out PCOS. My blood test showed abnormally high levels of androgens…   The next step was having an ultrasound to ensure my ovaries were functioning properly... Once I got to my room the technician applied gel to my lower abdomen and pressed the ultrasound device to my skin… After a short time, she pointed to the screen and showed me my left ovary. She indicated what she called a “string of pearls” in my ovary that she said was abnormal and an indicator of polycystic ovarian syndrome...   It was then that I was diagnosed with PCOS, and it felt like a whirlwind of emotions… My primary care provider prescribed birth control pills and said I would likely not be able to have a child without a drug to stimulate ovulation...   A couple years later, my primary care provider retired, and I was abruptly told I would need a new prescription with another provider to refill my birth control… Since I had PCOS and was told I would have to take ovulation stimulants in order to become pregnant, I didn’t put much thought into the three weeks I would be without birth control pills.   However, PCOS is a complex hormonal disorder that affects everyone differently. Surprise! I got pregnant during those three weeks of not taking birth control pills...   Living with PCOS has its challenges, but it’s also given me strength and resilience. By sharing our stories and raising awareness during #PCOSAwarenessMonth, we can help others understand the battles we face. Let’s break the silence surrounding PCOS and work towards a world where those with this condition receive the support, empathy, and understanding they deserve. Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of individuals living with PCOS.”   https://lnkd.in/e9mFsekd 

⭐Meet our abortion and birth control content expert Erin Matson!⭐ Erin Matson is a writer and reproductive justice organizer. She is co-founder, president, and CEO of Reproaction , an organization leading bold action to increase access to abortion and advance reproductive justice. Erin has long championed self-managed abortion as an option to be equally supported alongside work to make clinic-based abortion care readily available and affordable in every community. “Access to accurate information about abortion and contraception is critical to the exercise of human rights. OBOS Today is the quality, fact-based resource this moment so desperately needs.” Visit our site to meet more of our content experts! https://lnkd.in/euS4gTAT #OurBodiesOurselvesToday #ReproductiveJustice #abortion #AbortionRights #SelfManagedAbortion #AbortionCare #BodilyAutonomy #justice #ReproductiveHealth #PublicHealth #equity #ReproductiveEquity 

Today is #WorldSuicidePreventionDay. We can end suicide by providing mental health education, offering crisis and support services, removing the stigma around mental health. We need to address the racism at the root of poor mental health outcomes in marginalized communities. Are *YOU* ready to get involved? The following organizations provide opportunities to support the mental health and wellbeing of young people, LGBTQIA+ young people, Black people, and birthing people. The Black Mental Health Alliance for Education & Consultation, Inc. develops, promotes, and sponsors trusted culturally-relevant educational forums, training, and referral services, to support the health and well-being of Black people and their communities. https://lnkd.in/eWpndRdJ Active Minds is a national leader for mobilizing young adults around mental health advocacy and suicide prevention. Headquartered in Washington, DC, Active Minds brings the voices of young people who are disproportionately affected by mental illnesses and by the way mental health is addressed on campuses and in society at large. https://lnkd.in/eFuKhYTu The federal HHS Office on Women’s Health page provides resources for people experiencing postpartum depression. We can call their help line at 1-833-TLC-MAMA to get tools for finding support. The OWH also shares the stories of women who experienced PPD and found their path toward healing.  https://lnkd.in/ec8ZTqFW To learn more about these organizations, visit our “Get Involved” page: https://lnkd.in/euheTWVe #SuicidePreventionMonth #OBOSToday #OurBodiesOurselves #MentalHealth #Suicide #SuicidePrevention #EndSuicide #Depression #PostpartumDepression #LGBTQIA 

Abortion restrictions not only affect people seeking abortions but also pregnant and birthing people. In May, Louisiana legislators passed a bill to reclassify the drugs mifepristone and misoprostol as controlled and dangerous substances. This would require that they be stored in certain facilities, be distributed by doctors with special licenses, and be prescribed. Mifepristone and misoprostol are best known as abortion pills. They have other routine medical uses, however, including to induce labor, to stop uterine hemorrhaging, and to treat miscarriages. The new law will create barriers to the care that doctors provide and to the care that patients receive in Louisiana. In a state that already has one of the U.S.’s highest maternal mortality rates, the law could have drastic consequences. For example, the inability to use misoprostol during a miscarriage can lead to hemorrhaging and sepsis, which are potentially fatal. The fear of criminalization caused by such legislation could also cause medical professionals to move out of the state, further worsening reproductive and maternal health care. Louisiana’s abortion pill law is due to take effect on October 1. https://lnkd.in/eBZ6grPR #OBOSToday #OurBodiesOurselves #InTheNews #AbortionRestrictions #AbortionBans #Louisiana #Legislation #DrugLaws #Criminalization #Miscarriage #Mifepristone #Misoprostol 

We want to be your go-to for information about your health and sexuality. Why should you trust us? –  We rigorously evaluate, carefully curate, and regularly update all the health and sexuality content. –  We are committed to addressing the needs of diverse audiences.  –  We embrace a reproductive justice framework.  –  We consider the social, economic, and political factors that shape health and well-being.  –  We don’t accept funding from pharmaceutical, medical device, or private medical insurance companies and the site is ad-free.  –  We have a long history of creating women’s health and sexuality content.  –  We draw on over 50 years of experience in the global movements for women’s health and reproductive justice. https://lnkd.in/ejBWu9fZ #OBOSToday #OurBodiesOurselves #WhyYouCanTrustUs #ReproductiveJustice

What is the hymen and why is it important to so many of us? Common knowledge has it that the hymen is the difference between being a virgin and not being a virgin. But is “losing your virginity” the same as “losing” your hymen? And how do you lose your virginity anyway? Understanding the hymen can affect our sexual health. The vaginal corona — called the hymen before 2009 — is made up of thin, elastic folds of mucous membrane located just inside the entrance to the vagina. The vaginal corona may tear or thin out during exercise, masturbation, or tampon use, or during other forms of vaginal penetration. The vaginal corona may tear or thin out during exercise, masturbation, or tampon use, or during other forms of vaginal penetration; one does not have to engage in sexual activity for the hymen to tear. Because of this, no one can look at or touch a vaginal corona and know whether a person has had vaginal intercourse, or even whether they have masturbated. No medical exam on earth can tell if a woman or girl is a virgin. Virginity is a religious and cultural construct, not a medical or scientific term. Our value as human beings should not be based on our sex lives, whatever our gender. If virginity has no medical or scientific meaning, what is it really? It’s clearly a status with great cultural and social significance in most places in the world. But it’s also something that we can define for ourselves, or reject entirely. Because virginity has an emotional connotation, whatever virginity, or losing your virginity, means to you is valid. However we understand virginity, our worth as women and girls should never be based on the thin tissue of the vaginal corona. Learning about our hymens, and our bodies in general, can help us to feel more comfortable and in control in sexual situations. Unlearning the misinformation that we’ve been taught can help us better protect ourselves from STIs, as well as increase our sexual pleasure. https://lnkd.in/eM4-kEaN #OBOSToday #OurBodiesOurselves #VaginalCorona #Hymen #Virgin #Virginity #WorldSexualHealthDay #NationalSexualHealthAwarenssMonth

How did you find a birth control method that works for you? What advice would you give to others? In this story, AB shares her advice for finding birth control methods that fit our needs, highlighting the importance of mental health and self-advocacy: “I would say, first of all, don't discount your mental health. I know some people find that birth control affects them differently mentally. And don't feel guilty or feel like that's not as important as your physical health or physical symptoms because you deserve to have a birth control [method] that works for your mental health as well. . . Second of all, you don't have to use the thing that works best for all your friends... There’s sometimes different stereotypes that go along with different birth control [methods]. My friend was like, “I can't use a NuvaRing. That's for, like, moms. That’s for moms in their 40s.” You can use the NuvaRing... It's okay to not be a mom in your 40s and still use the NuvaRing. . . Don't be afraid to try new things, or to be annoying to your provider and be like, “Hey, we need to talk about myself and my problems more. You can't just prescribe me this and let me walk out the door within two minutes. I want to sit down with you and work through this and maybe try a few things.” https://lnkd.in/gf6t6fSy #OBOSToday #OurBodiesOurselves #BirthControl #Contraception #SelfAdvocacy #BirthControlMethods

Get ready for these key dates in September, pertaining to the health and sexuality of women and gender-expansive people. How will you engage with these days? 4: World Sexual Health Day 10: World Suicide Prevention Day 15: Start of Hispanic Heritage Month 26: World Contraception Day 28: International Safe Abortion Day Healthy Aging Month National Sexual Health Awareness Month Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Month #OBOSToday #OurBodiesOurselves #SeptemberHighlights