Medically reviewed by Sophia Yen, MD, MPH – Written by Pandia Health Editorial Team
November 13th is “Thanks, Birth Control” Day, an annual holiday commemorating the progress in contraceptive care available to people around the globe. This day was championed by organizations like Planned Parenthood to celebrate the legalization and expansion of birth control access 50 years ago.
While it’s usually celebrated by large rallies in major cities, this year people are urged to celebrate at a safe distance. This year, share your thanks for birth control on social media using the hashtag #thxbirthcontrol and talk to those around you about how they feel about contraceptive care.
At Pandia Health, we acknowledge how critical it is to have conversations about access to contraception, but it’s wonderful to have one day out of the year dedicated to recognizing the importance of safe, easy, and affordable access to birth control!
On this day, we are thankful for all of the amazing benefits birth control provides such as allowing people with uteri to take control of their bodies and decide for themselves when they wish to start a family or even have a period! Aside from preventing pregnancy, contraception also regulates hormones, decreases acne, and reduces period pain.
Plus, it has been named a top economic driver for women and one of the most transformational developments in the business sector in the last 85 years. Thus, women can focus more on their careers and their hobbies, if that is what is important to them, thanks to birth control.
Birth Control for Everyone
Birth control is also advantageous for trans and gender-nonconforming people as it is a preventive, life-saving medicine that can help alleviate painful periods and emotional discomfort relating to gender dysphoria. Hence, contraception can be used to decrease feelings of gender dysphoria, or the emotional distress that one might feel when their assigned sex at birth differs from the gender with which they identify.
Although it is in a much earlier stage of development, birth control for those without uteri is also making significant advances towards widespread public access. In response to a staggering worldwide rate of unplanned pregnancies, physicians and researchers have turned their attention towards developing male reversible contraceptive methods, which currently account for less than 25% of all contraceptive methods.
It is much easier to introduce existing natural hormones into the body as a method of contraception, as found in most existing hormonal pills and patches, than it is to develop new molecules that the body will accept. That’s why current research is much slower to bring male contraceptive options to the market – but recent developments have been made in a few different fields, including transdermal gels and injections.
Current Legislation
Medicare and Medicaid are currently the most prominent sources of contraception coverage for low-income individuals in the United States. With so many people unemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a critical shortage of access to healthcare for all, and this includes access to contraception.
Additionally, ongoing political debates regarding universal health care continue to put the future of universal contraception access at risk. If eliminated, this will widen the gap in contraceptive coverage as well as healthcare access as a whole between low and high-income individuals. Now more than ever it is important to speak up for your right to accessible and affordable birth control!
Despite attempts and measures at the state and federal legislative level to take away a person’s right to contraceptive care, most adults believe that birth control should be considered a basic part of people’s health care. After all, 99% of people with uteri in the U.S. will use a contraceptive method at some point in their lives. That’s why it is critical for individuals and companies alike to come together and voice their support for universal access.
Where Does Pandia Health Come In?
Pandia Health is a trailblazer in this movement: our expert doctors can currently prescribe birth control to those in AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, MI, NV, TX, TN, PA, WA, or WY, and our women-founded and women-led atmosphere is all about empowering you to get the best care possible, regardless of the circumstances. Sign up for Pandia Health today to join the movement and get your birth control delivered for FREE.
Pandia Health is also working hard to extend contraceptive access to communities with reduced access to these resources. If you are interested in helping women around the world get easy, safe, and affordable access to birth control, consider giving to The Pandia Health Birth Control Fund; likewise, if you are in need of birth control, apply to the fund today and get that #PandiaPeaceofMind.
On this day and all days, Pandia Health joins you in thanking contraceptive care for providing people the freedom to live their lives worry-free. Now, we want to hear from YOU: why are you thankful for contraception? Be sure to share your story/thoughts/questions by using the hashtag #ThxBirthContol and tagging @PandiaHealth on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for a chance to be featured on our social media platform!