Yaz Lawsuit and Hype

There has been tons of info all over the web and news regarding the Yaz lawsuits.

Yaz is a contraceptive pill that has been found to cause blood clotting in the lungs.

This is so widely spread right now that there are whole websites devoted to the lawsuits.  To see the Yaz Lawsuit Center website, click here.  The website is supposed to be updated frequently in order to provide up to date information on the lawsuits taking place.  WOW.  Yaz has a lot going on!

CBC news has reported on this scary issue with the birth control pills. If you'd like to learn more about this issue, check out this recent clip below.

Comments?

In the News

I found this wonderful video from the Today Show discussing sex ed in New York schools.

There are conflicting responses to this move.  If anything, watch the first 3 minutes of this video, as it gives some great statistics on teen sexuality.  This video was from October 15, 2011-- but was just uploaded 6 days ago.

NPR's Health Blog has been talking about how birth control can save the government money.  This recent article claims that half of the births in the U.S. every year are unintended pregnancies.  That seems like a lot... I may have to check that one out.

To read the NPR blog article, click here.  It is quite interesting.

If you know of any other blogs or sites that have this similar discussion, for or against it, let me know!

Organizations and Awareness

Message for Vasectomy (Men's Birth Control method)

I have been looking through sites for information on birth control.  I have also been keeping an eye out for current news on the topic of birth control.  Much of the info I have found is political.

To lighten things up a bit, I found this comical video from Empowher.  The video is of men being videotaped while watching a vasectomy take place.  Don't worry-- nothing gruesome is shown.  Only the men's faces and their reactions, which are priceless.

Also, I do not mean any offense to the men watching this.  If you plan to get a vasectomy some day, I don't want to scare you!  I thought the concept was intriguing.  The commercial is for women "manning" up and going to get a surgical procedure that makes them sterile, so that their partner doesn't have to get a vasectomy. Definitely an interesting approach by Essure...

This video reminds me of when I was forced to watch the birth video in high school... it makes you think-- there's no way I'm going to do THAT!!!

Youtube is a great media device; it can carry a message far across the world wide web.

Now for up to date info...

Planned Parenthood has a live chat directly on their home page.  This is for anyone looking for guidance on sexual health related issues.  A great way that media can help to support those in need of assistance!
This is a tool that can be immediately utilized.

Another way that the media constantly addresses birth control is with new methods that are being created.  Science Daily has reported that there is actually a pill that has been designed for men to take (it's being tested).  This sounded a little sketchy to me, but it's quite interesting.  Columbia University is still trying to see what the possible side effects are...

To see the article, click here.

Religious and Political Views on Birth Control

Politics

Firstly, Ruth Marcus, an opinion writer for the Washington Post, wrote a great straightforward article on Rick Santorum (former republican nominee) and his views on Title X.  According to this article, Santorum was for Title X even though he opposed birth control himself.  He says that the public has the right to choose whether or not to use birth control.

Then, Santorum shot back again with "I've always opposed Title X".  The whole debacle gets stickier and stickier.  Regardless, a great point was made at the end of Marcus' article.

She wrote:

The candidates would do well to heed the advice of a fellow Republican: “We need to take sensationalism out of this topic,” he said. “If family planning is anything, it is a public health matter.”

The Republican was George H.W. Bush, then a Texas congressman, arguing for the creation of Title X in 1969. But that was four decades — and a different Republican Party — ago.

Whether or not Bush is respected or liked, this is a fantastic quote.  This IS a public health matter.
To read the rest of Marcus' article from the Washington Post online, click here.

Religion

I believe the most widely discussed religious stance on birth control is that of the Catholic Church.

I found this on a website full of info with religious scriptures backing up the church's stance.

WHAT DOES THE CHURCH SAY ABOUT METHODS OF BIRTH CONTROL? 

"When there is a question of harmonizing conjugal love with the
responsible transmission of life, the moral aspect of any procedure does
not depend solely on sincere intentions or on an evaluation of motives. It
must be determined by objective standards. These, based on the nature of
the human person and his acts, preserve the full sense of mutual
self-giving and human procreation in the context of true love. Such a goal
cannot be achieved unless the virtue of conjugal chastity is sincerely
practiced. Relying on these principles, sons of the Church may not
undertake methods of regulating procreation which are found blameworthy by
the teaching authority of the Church in its unfolding of the divine law"
(Gaudium et Spes, 51).

I highlighted the portion that I felt was most direct.  I think it's wonderful if a person wants to practice a non-violent religion that promotes positive ideals (I won't get much into religious beliefs), but I do have a problem with those involved in the church who are having sex regardless and are not being safe about it.

A private college in Colorado is offended by the state requiring them to offer birth control at their campus.  I personally don't feel that they should be offended.  If they are strong in their faith and the students are not married and do not have sex, then don't use the birth control?

If you are sexually active at this college, then obviously you have an option now.  This is a personal choice.  I think it's smart to have birth control available for students.

Let's be realistic here!

If you are going to have sex, regardless of religion, be safe about it.

Reasons for Birth Control

This post will be covering my first topic: Health related reasons for using birth control.

Firstly, women of all ages use birth control, as there are many different reasons for using birth control.

The most obvious reason is to prevent unwanted pregnancy.

Other reasons are as follows:

1.  To prevent acne
2.  To minimize heavy PMS
3.  To control regular PMS
4.  To control hormone levels
5.  To avoid STD's

How does a woman even decide which birth control to use?  Some contain hormones, some don't, and some require you to visit a doctor for injections.  There are so many options.

Everyday Health.com discusses sexual health and further explains birth control options.  The page that I visited at Everyday Health was easy to read and straightforward.  Click here to visit the page that I went to.

Palo Alto Medical Foundation (pamf.org) stated that "about 35 percent of first intercourse experiences take place without the use of any contraception at all."  Yikes!  Talk about pregnancy scares.  This fact is mainly referring to sexually active teens, which I will focus on more in another post.

Other than that ridiculous statistic, pamf.org has a wonderful table that lists all of the birth control options and how safe they are against STD's.  To see the table, click here.

Lastly, check out this European commercial.  It's comical, but straightforward. (Sorry about the fuzzy quality)

Why do you think Europeans are so much more relaxed about birth control?

Do you feel that the four listed reasons I posted above are valid reasons for going on birth control?  


I know that many women my age say that they strictly use birth control because of acne.  Is that a valid enough reason?


What about some birth control methods being harmful to a woman's health?


Please leave your feedback and comments below by clicking on the COMMENTS link.

Introduction: Lady and Her Body

Welcome to my new blog entitled:  Lady and Her Body

After reading the assignment expectations for Digital Rhetoric this week, I began rapidly thinking of social issues.  What bothers me?  What do I feel strongly about?

I have formulated opinions about many social issues.  I hate to be controversial, so I chose a topic that I felt would be most practical, and beneficial health-wise.

I am supportive of birth control, which can be an issue among many.  Many organizations, individuals, and politicians do not agree with birth control.  Many find birth control to be morally wrong.

I disagree.  I firmly believe that if an individual is going to have sex, he or she may as well be safe about it.

Without use of birth control, or proper use for that matter, pregnancies become "accidental".

I would like to cover issues on this blog regarding birth control by covering ideas and topics.  These topics are open to discussion and I would love for members of the class to weigh in.  I am always open to discussion and other opinions!  I would like for this discussion to remain friendly and open.

The topics are:

1.  Health related reasons for using birth control

2.  Religious and political views on birth control
3.  Teen Pregnancy

4.  Making birth control available to those in need of it

5.  Organizations that promote safe sex

6.  Abortion numbers shrink... (ideally)


(NOTICE:  I have decided to implement all of these topics into multiple posts, but they will in some way be briefly covered by my opinion, or other sources.  They will not each be a separate blog post.)

I hope to get through all of these topics regarding birth control and the positive effects it can have. 

This blog will contain much of my opinion supported by other sites.  I will also use sites to show opposite opinions.

Check back in soon!


Please leave your feedback and comments below by clicking on the COMMENTS link.