The IUD Scare
One of the most personal decisions women have to make is deciding which type of birth control to use. This is a personal decision, one that every individual woman has the right to make based on what works best for them and their bodies. As long as they are being safe about sex, whatever choice they make is the correct one. Just as there are many different women, there are many different reasons why someone chooses the birth control method that they do. For example, some methods are better for preventing harmful STDs and STIs, while others are proven to be more effective at preventing unwanted pregnancies. The list goes on and on. There is one reason that should definitely not be a factor: fear.
Unfortunately, fear is one huge reason that many American women are choosing to get intra-uterine devices, or IUDs. IUDs are tiny, flexible devices that typically release a hormone that prevent a woman from ovulating. Although they don’t protect against STIs, they are the most effective method of preventing pregnancy. According to Planned Parenthood, the number of women trying to get an IUD has increased by 900% since last November, though this has little to do with the contraceptives’ advantages. These numbers have drastically increased because women are worried what Donald Trump’s new administration means for birth control in the future.
Their concerns are valid. During his campaign, Trump vowed to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which made birth control more affordable for many women. Some women believe that they won’t be able to afford the birth control pill without assistance from the Affordable Care Act. This makes IUDs more appealing, because unlike the pill, they don’t need to be constantly purchased. One IUD will last between seven and ten years. Another reason is that IUDs are generally pretty expensive, so women want to get them now so that they will be sure to get assistance in paying for them.
Another threat from the Trump administration comes from claims that they aim to defund Planned Parenthood. Though their main objective is to cut funding for abortions, there’s still some anxiety about what will become of the organization. Among multiple services provided for female health, Planned Parenthood has been a great resource for women seeking affordable methods of birth control, including IUDs. Uncertainty regarding the organization’s future is leading many women to choose IUDs while they know that they will be available.
The most concerning aspect of this whole debacle is that the main motivation for women getting IUDs is anxiety over their health and reproductive rights. It’s pretty ridiculous and sad that so many women are making such a huge decision because they are so afraid for what the future holds for them. Acting in fear is no way to live, and decisions made in fear might not be the most informed and logical ones. If there’s any time to be completely confident and comfortable with your decisions, it’s when you are choosing your birth control.
It’s hard to say what access to birth control will be like in the years to come. Trump’s administration is yet to say what their new plan for health care is. On the other side of things, there are many activists and other American women who are campaigning relentlessly for women’s health and reproductive rights. Whatever happens, I urge all women to research all their options before committing to any sort of long-lasting birth control. It’s your life and your decision, and especially in uncertain times you should be certain in what you want for your body.