Reproductive Health

As a matter of fact, most abortion care in the U.S. is safely provided with the help of two medications (also called “abortion pills”): mifepristone and misoprostol. Recent court challenges and ballot measures on abortion care have put the availability of mifepristone at risk (more on that below). Mifepristone is a hormone-blocking medication used for Read more…

A recent study finding lead and other metals in tampons has raised concern on social media. However, there is not yet convincing evidence showing that these metals in this context pose any real health concern. You could certainly use one of many available alternative menstrual products until more information is available if the possibility of Read more…

According to the makers of Plan B®, this over-the-counter emergency contraception pill typically is good for four years when stored correctly. Think of a dry, dark place that stays around room temperature. (So not the bathroom 😉). Folks thinking about buying Plan B® for future use should check the expiration date on the outside of Read more…

TL, DR: No. Emergency contraception prevents pregnancy. It does not end a pregnancy. For a person who doesn’t want to be pregnant, it helps *prevent* the need for abortion. There are two types of emergency contraception, pills and IUDs (intrauterine devices). The hormonal pills that contain only the hormone levonorgestrel are available over the counter Read more…

Q: What are Dense Breasts? – Christine from Washington, D.C. A: We say breasts are dense if they have more fibrous and connective tissue. Less dense breasts have more fat and less fibrous tissue. Tissue is typically graded from A through D in terms of density. A is almost entirely fat, while D is almost Read more…

How does intimate partner violence impact pregnancy? TL;DR: Survivors of intimate partner violence during pregnancy, both parents and infants, experience long-term emotional trauma and chronic health problems, and timely support can help prevent it. *If you or anyone you know needs help, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY). Read more…

A: Tons, actually! From natural processes such as menstruation to medical procedures such as abortions, the goings-on of our reproductive systems – particularly in those of us assigned female at birth – may make us more susceptible to infections. And when reproductive healthcare systems do not provide the proper education, screening, pain management, treatment, and Read more…

Current data support that vaginal estrogen is very safe and effective for most people, yet many clinicians are under-informed about and overly reluctant to prescribe treatment for menopausal symptoms. “I’m struggling with post-menopausal vaginal symptoms, and my clinician only recommended a moisturizer, which doesn’t help much.  Why didn’t they prescribe an estrogen cream?” – Becca Read more…

Girls are getting their first period at younger and younger ages, especially girls of color and of low socioeconomic status.  Potential reasons include both higher BMI and stress, but it’s still not fully understood.  This change is important, as earlier sexual maturation brings with it concerns for both physical and social health. A recent study of over Read more…

Black Maternal Health Awareness Week is wrapping up. What do we need to know about Black Maternal Health? During pregnancy, childbirth, or the first 42 days after delivery of a living child, Black people are dying at almost three times the rate (CDC, 2021) as white people. More than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable Read more…

A: Yes, either a lot or a little depending on your situation, but most people feel it’s totally worth it. Getting an IUD is an awkward, uncomfortable sometimes painful and miserable experience, but the vast majority of people who get them say it was totally worth it. In a survey that I did with a Read more…