It’s no secret that Donald Trump has controversial views when it comes to women’s health. The President-Elect has been quotedsaying women should be ‘punished’ for having abortions (he later retracted this statement) and his Vice President to be, Mike Pence, once threatened to ‘shutdown’ the government if Planned Parenthoodcontinued to receive funding. He also plans to repeal Obama Care, which currently allows women to access birth control freely via health insurance. Trump wants to replace it with his own health care act and given his attitude towards women, many suspect the reform will have negative outcomes in regards to women’s health.
Women have taken to social media to encourage one another to access women’s health services whilst they can. Since an IUD (Intrauterine Device or Coil) is one of the most effective and long lasting forms of contraception, it seems to be the most popular suggestion. In some cases, it can also outlast the maximum 8 years that Trump can reside in the White House. The spike in the graph of google searches illustrates just how much people are now looking for a long term option. Over the past two days, IUD searches have risen and queries like "What's an IUD' and "IUD Reviews" have been increasingly searched for.
IUDs, although 99% effective, are not suitable for all women. Like all contraception, it’s about finding an option that suits you and your body – but a Trump America could limit this exploration. In the UK, I am allowed to walk in to my GP, discuss my options and pick up a repeat prescription for a birth control pill and I know I am insanely lucky for that right. The thought that women in America, a supposedly modern and progressive civilisation, are preparing themselves for an assault on reproductive rights is incomprehensible. America is the richest and most influential country on earth, and should not be setting this example for other countries to follow.
#WeWontGoBack is a movement started by Planned Parenthood to help fight for the rights for women’s health. In a statement released Wednesday, Cecile Richards (President of PP) states ‘For the past 100 years, Planned Parenthood has been there for those who needed them. That won't change.” A bold and hopeful statement given the current climate.
If you’re considering a new form on contraception make sure to do your research. If you feel like hormonal methods might not be for you, you can start by looking here: 11 Non-Hormonal Contraceptive Methods
Like This? You May Also Be Interested In...
In The World's Poorest Countries More Women Than Ever Are Using Contraception
We Ask Young Women Across America How They Feel About Donald Trump's Election Victory
Follow Shannon on Instagram @shannontran
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.