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Who’s In Charge Of Women’s Health And Bodies?

My mother grew up in a house where women were to be much like children; seen and not heard. My mother was taught men were the head of the household, the breadwinner and had the last word. When mom married at 17, she tried quite hard to live by those rules.

By the time she was 21, she had 4 kids under the age of 5. She was divorced by the time she was 30. She quickly became the head of the household and the breadwinner. The times they were a changin’!

By the time I was born, mom was a full-blown feminist. My sister and I were taught to think for ourselves, to control our destiny, and most importantly, control our bodies. When I was 7 and my sister was 6, mom handed us the book, “Our Bodies, Ourselves.”

Mom told us to ask questions on what we didn’t understand. One thing I learned that day was that women were a magical and powerful being! Mom taught us why women should control their health and how to do it!

As a mother of two girls, I wanted to pass on to them the empowerment my mom passed on to me. I told them there were 5 ways they needed to control their health as well as their bodies.

1. Choose Wisely: With a wider availability to doctor’s and healthcare now, we can choose the medical personnel who we allow to treat our medical issues. When choosing a doctor, meet with them first and get to know them, what they stand for, and what their goals are in treating you. Choose a doctor you feel comfortable with and don’t settle.
2. Ask Questions: When my mom was my age, women didn’t question a man in authority. If her doctor told her to do something, she did it without asking questions. If I don’t understand anything about my treatment plan, I ask for an explanation. I only have one body, so I want it treated well and with complete understanding of that treatment.
3. Say No: This was a big one for my mom! Why is it hard for many women to feel secure in saying no? And this applies to everything from dating to health care. I have taught my girls to say no when something does not feel right or safe and to do so without apologies. If you doctor recommends something you are not sure of, say no. Tell them you want time to research or get a second opinion.
4. Find Resources: Women have come a long way baby! There is an ocean of resources available to us and we should utilize them. At least for now, we have affordable, and in many cases, free healthcare and testing for many illnesses. Early detection is so crucial now and woman can access screenings for things like breast and cervical cancer. We have shelters, access to birth control and other female specific resources.
5. Birth Control: My mom took me to Planned Parenthood when I was ready. She wanted me to be safe, protected and in control of my birth control. When I was a single mom, I relied on them to provide me with the supplies I needed that I couldn’t otherwise afford. One thing they couldn’t assist me with was to remember to take my pills! There were days I forgot to take my pill. What would I do if I had unprotected sex and wasn’t ready for another baby? Instead of crossing my fingers, I wished I had access to Plan B One-Step.

Are you familiar with Plan B One-Step? It is an emergency contraceptive that you do not need an ID or a prescription to purchase. It mainly works by delaying ovulation, therefore helping to prevent pregnancy BEFORE it begins.

And the sooner you take it, the better it will work. Please use Plan B as directed. You must take it within 72 hours of unprotected sex or failure to use/take birth control.

The active ingredient in Plan B is called levonorgestrel. This is the same ingredient you would find in many common birth control pills. It is just at a higher, single dose. Now, Plan B One-Step is NOT an abortion pill. It will NOT affect an existing pregnancy, nor will it impact your fertility in the future or long-term.

When looking for Plan B, some retailers will have it on the shelf, like the CVS did where I purchased mine. I found it on the Feminine Care aisle .  Other retailers may have it behind the counter. If you are looking for the product and cannot find it in the store, you can always ask the pharmacist and they will be able to help.

Please use this coupon to receive up to $10 off your purchase of Plan B One-Step.

Are you a women who is in control of her health? In what ways do you keep control of your body and your health?