TBH (To Be Honest) is a monthly newsletter dedicated to learning about our bodies, talking about sex and relationships, and challenging health inequity and injustice.
“If we don’t have some massive pushback soon—if there isn’t a definitive debunking by a credible source—the anti-abortion movement will use this nonsense data to end critical access to mifepristone.”
-Jessica Valenti on the Trump administration’s latest move on medication abortion. Read more.
From the blog…
We get a lot of questions about how HPV spreads. Here’s what you need to know.
The governor of Colorado just signeda new law expanding abortion access in the state by allowing Medicaid to cover abortion care. The law, which takes effect in January, will implement a constitutional amendment that Colorado voters approved in 2024.
In the courts: Earlier this month, the Trump administration moved to dismiss a lawsuit that aimed to restrict access to mifepristone, a safe and effective pill used for medication abortion and miscarriage treatment. Don’t be fooled by some of the headlines — the Trump administration is still interested in restricting medication abortion.
Career-threatening ACL tears are on the rise in women’s soccer. A new study will examine if the rise is linked to hormonal fluctuations in menstrual cycles.
Ask the Experts:
What should I expect when I go to the doctor to get birth control?
When you arrive at your appointment, your nurse or doctor will likely talk with you about your medical history and check your blood pressure; you may also have a pelvic exam.
Your nurse or doctor may also want to know about your sex life and sexual history, so they can help you figure out the best birth control options for you. This is also a good time to ask any questions you have about birth control.
Your doctor can help you decide which birth control option is best for you. Next steps after your appointment will depend on which option you choose; if you decide to get:
If you choose Opill, a birth control pill that does not require a prescription, your nurse or doctor will go over how to take it and where to buy it.
the shot: you can either get them at the health center, or get a year’s supply and give yourself the shots at home.
an IUD or implant: your nurse or doctor will either insert it while you’re there, or have you make a follow-up appointment to put it in.
spermicide gel or the sponge: your nurse or doctor may give you recommendations on where to buy them at your nearest pharmacy or drugstore.
condoms: your nurse or doctor may give you recommendations on where to buy them or get them for free at your nearest Planned Parenthood or community health center.
sterilization or vasectomy: your nurse or doctor will have you make a follow-up appointment to have the procedure done either at the health center or refer you out to a surgical center or hospital.
*Note: Planned Parenthood is not responsible for nor does it endorse any legal, medical, or other advice or information provided by any of the entities identified or referenced herein or by any other third parties, whether referenced herein or not.
Check out Ask The Experts for more Q&As on a ton of different health topics. Got a question in mind? Ask Roo, our sex ed chatbot, or one of our trained health educators.
