Category: Birth Control

As many of you know a group discussion is a bunch of different ideas brought together by your classmates and well sometimes some of them will not be effective and some are probably really good facts, it’s to bring everyone and their knowledge to the table, Today I and my two peers decided we were going to talk about birth control, and if it should be available to teens over the counter, and I feel like that’ll be a great topic to choose from since it’s a lot of facts about it and also because it’s current!

It is known that birth control is to prevent pregnancy a well-known fact anybody knows! You can always get it prescribed by your local doctor and planned parenthood but some people are questioning whether should it be sold to teens over the counter, I found that it’s a good option for young girls and young adults as well if somebody isn’t ready for a baby they should have the choice to take the next day pill which is birth control and stop the process before it gets too late and then you’ll have to get an abortion which is not a good option to me, nobody should have to reach the point to abortion if it was sold over the counter, so then there comes a disagreement with my peer, as if he feels like all teens should not be able to buy birth control over the counter and they should go to the doctor and get a prescription but then here’s the fact, It’s a good percentage of babies that are abandoned, they end up in foster care and or sometimes even deceased, because of bad parenting. No kids what so over should be going through that pain of feeling alone and abandoned and it all leads up to them not being ready and stabilized to be parents, there’s a ten percent percentage of teens being pregnant at the age of fifteen through seventeen minds they are teens, they should be able to run to a pharmacy or a drug store and be able to pick up birth control without a prescription being prescribed, no matter the age we are all one, if somebody doesn’t want any kids they should be able to buy birth control anywhere, most teens get raped and then they’re left with a baby and that leads up to having depression all your life, your just not confident with yourself anymore

My peers discussed the topic very well, there was a lot more discussion but those few facts caught my eye, there were a few rules we followed which were keeping the discussion on topic and not switching it up or throwing it off, they were followed really good everybody bought really good facts and opinions and also disagreement. The way I presented my viewpoint was great I gathered a lot of facts about birth control and how I presented and spoke about it went well, just how I presented my points and said my facts I did the same with my peer we listened to each other we waited till one of us stopped talking to discussion something, we were respectful to one another and not just interrupting one another, as well as eye contact and hand movements this was like a meeting set up in a business environment everybody listened, there was a lot of good facts my peers gathered and yes it did get a little hectic because of the disagreements as all group discussions have, and which is totally normals because not everybody’s going to have the same mindset as one another everybody is different and everybody thinks differently.

Our group discussion went well it made me one to do another one just by hearing more facts I didn’t know about and having the ability to hear my other peers bring in facts about this topic was good, our language and our grammar were really good no complications what’s so ever about that, our tone of voice was calm and normal, there was no shape of form of loudness and screaming and I think me and my peers did good on this ground discussion I feel like that’s how it supposed to be that’s what you call a good group discussion and I think that’s how everybody’s discussion should go.

The topic of women’s health is often overlooked in many ways. However, these discussions and conversations must be done out in the open. One of these surrounds the question of why women still get pregnant even when they are on birth control.

To start with, no form of birth control guarantees 100% efficiency. Therefore, it is always a gamble that women take. A new study is offering insight into why some women who use birth control methods still get pregnant even after using them correctly.

In the past, it was believed that the woman used the method wrong or waited until the implants expired. However, studies now show that women with uncommon genetic differences can render contraceptives ineffective.

The study by researchers from the University of Colorado School of Medicine found that 5% of women have this gene. Their bodies, therefore, produce an enzyme that counters the effects of birth control hormones.

While some of these are among those who use low doses of contraceptives, most others are left with low hormone levels even after using high doses of contraceptives. There is, however, no specific type of contraceptive that this enzyme attacks.

Hormonal contraceptives

In essence, pills, implants, and injections release synthetic versions of female hormones and override the monthly cycle to prevent ovulation. These hormones trick the body into thinking it’s pregnant. Therefore, the release of the egg is halted each month.

These hormones make the mucus around the cervix thicker, which traps sperm and prevents the sperm from reaching the egg.

From the research, it is definite that contraceptives are not an absolute birth control method. The lead author and assistant professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aaron Lazorwitz, says that this study is the first time that genetics and birth control have been linked together.

Usually, when a woman who is using contraceptives gets pregnant, they are blamed for using them wrong or purposely trying to ‘trap the man.’ However, the researchers at the University of Colorado School of Medicine decided to dig deeper into the issue.

The presence of a gene called CYP3A*1C in a woman’s body will break down the hormones from birth control. Since this is the first finding into the relationship between genetics and birth control, more studies are underway.

The availability of more genetic data will help clinicians account for genetic predispositions when reporting and administering hormonal contraceptive methods.

Contraceptives vs. a woman’s health

This is a very passionate discussion that is rocking the world. Many women have experienced unprecedented side effects of using birth control methods. It is a complicated thing for a woman to decide the type of birth control they want to use.

There is a general lack of information among women concerning contraceptives. This is especially true for younger teenage girls. Thanks to the internet, women can now access information that they would otherwise be too shy to ask for.

Medical practitioners should play the role of providing information to women. A woman’s body is delicate, and in this day and age, it is not safe to use the trial-and-error method.

Side effects

One of the recently discovered side effects of birth control is the impairment of a woman’s ability to recognize complex emotions. This is mainly prevalent in oral pills. While the result may be unnoticeable, it is a very significant blur in a woman’s social judgment.

According to studies, a woman will have challenges recognizing expressions like pride and contempt. However, they can realize basic emotional expressions. Scientists claim that this is a casual effect; however, it is unclear how it affects the ability to form intimate relationships in the long run.

Users of Oral Contraceptives (OCP) are 10% worse on average compared to those who don’t use oral contraceptives. OCP users cannot easily decipher complex emotions, and therefore, their social interactions are inhibited.

Is there good news?

The good news is that today, women have a lot more access to information than they did in the past. Today, women have the opportunity to make an informed decision, knowing most of the pros and cons of their choice.

Another set of good news is the fact that some hormonal contraceptives help women control acne as well as the risk of endometriosis. As a result, the woman has a lower chance of colon, ovarian, and uterine cancers. However, the pill increases the risk of breast and cervical cancer.

Another downside to many birth control methods is that their psychological effects are not well documented. Hundreds of millions of women around the world use OCP, but no conclusive research on the emotional, social interaction, and psychological impact has been documented.

With this in mind, it is essential for further studies around the subject need to investigate the exact extent of these effects. In some cases, birth control methods affect a woman’s ability to maintain intimate relationships. Therefore, scientists recommend that clinicians provide detailed information concerning the consequences of different methods of birth control.

There are many different options for birth control. For men, options are limited, and at this time, men have only two options, condoms and vasectomies. Scientists are currently working on new methods for men to use. Women, on the other hand, have a few more options. Women have the option to resort to birth control implants, IUDs, shots, vaginal rings, pills, patches, diaphragms, sponges, cervical caps, and spermicides.

According to statistics, condoms are the most commonly used form of birth control for men. This could be because teens are more “involved” in this category, needing cheap methods of birth control. Although condoms seem ideal, they are only eighty-four percent effective. Eighty-four percent may sound like a high percentage, but in the case of accidental pregnancy, it may be a choice you would want to go further in-depth with detail, so you have a lower chance of accidental pregnancy. In the case of condoms, they are great in decreasing the risk of transmitting infections such as HIV, chlamydia, and gonorrhea.

The world is constantly changing. People in the world, and the way we do everything are always being fixated. Luckily for men’s birth control options, scientists are currently working on a pill that would act as the woman pill does, but for men. The women’s pill is ninety-two to ninety-seven percent effective, whether or not the men’s pill will be higher, the same, or less is, for now, unknown.

Today women have many options regarding birth control. Options include birth control implants, IUDs, shots, vaginal rings, pills, patches, diaphragm, sponges, cervical caps, and spermicide. Depending on the person or one’s situation can help to decide what’s being used.

There are many options for birth control and out of all these options, women are the most responsible for having, or being on birth control. Men have the two options of vasectomies or wearing a condom other than that there is nothing.

There are many different options for birth control. For men, options are limited, and at this time, men have only two options, condoms and vasectomies. Scientists are currently working on new methods for men to use. Women, on the other hand, have a few more options. Women have the option to resort to birth control implants, IUDs, shots, vaginal rings, pills, patches, diaphragms, sponges, cervical caps, and spermicides.   

With the help of Hormonal birth control, adds help not only to the user but also to society. As birth control helps to dampen the Female Reproductive System, it gives control to one of our country’s biggest problems which is Overpopulation. Not only does it help to lessen the Overpopulation problem here in the Philippines, but it also gives more advantages to the user as it may help relieve menstrual pain, and reduce acne, and it also is possible for birth control to help protect your body against Cancers.

On the contrary, there are lots of disadvantages to using birth control improperly such as lowering the risk of the user being impregnated, an increased risk of blood clotting, nausea, migraines, mood swings, and many more. But on the bright side, every woman can avoid the mentioned disadvantages by seeking help from a professional and to ask whether what type of Birth control are you going to use/take and when are you only available to use it.

Seeking Professional advice and properly applying their restricted procedures, will help you to maintain your healthy way of living and will reduce the risks of bad side effects of birth control. There are 6 types of birth control, pills (oral contraceptives), patches, rings, shots, IUDs, and implants. However, not every female is advised to use it as each female has different levels of sensitivity and body resistance to pills and medicines. Some may be allergic to pills but they still end up using them. Resulting in mental and physical effects that may be a real deal in future effects. However, the mentioned birth control isn’t able to protect you against STDs, therefore,

Condoms are still advised to be used by those who’ll take up sexual intercourse. Those things being said, if you still end up getting negative effects, you should further ask Professionals for help and try to reconsider other types of Birth control as they may not be compatible with your body’s resistance. Also, being truthful to your Professional is a must as it is their responsibility to correct whatever it is that is wrong with your Birth control. In conclusion, taking Hormonal Birth control has many pros and cons, but it depends on how and when you use it. Therefore everybody reading this essay be aware of everything regarding birth control.

Another reason LARCs should be offered in public schools is that it makes birth control more accessible and, as public schools are state-funded, it can make birth control easily affordable or even free to teens. One great contributor to teen pregnancy rates is income. The rate of unplanned pregnancy is disproportionally higher in economically disadvantaged communities, which may be due to a lack of access to affordable birth control. This is doubly a problem for teens who often do not have their disposable income for use outside of housing, food, and other necessities. The birth control pill, the most common method used by teens, can cost upwards of $50 per month for the uninsured or underinsured. The American Pregnancy Association notes that on top of the cost of one month of pills, the initial physician visit can cost up to $200 (2012). That means that only one year of birth control could end up costing $800. In contrast, LARCs can cost anywhere from $200 to $1500 but are effective for up to seven years. That would be the equivalent of paying $17 a year for birth control, which is much more cost-effective in the long run. Also, thanks to the Affordable Care Act, teens now have private and state insurance coverage that funds the complete cost of LARC placement and removal. One public school in Seattle, Washington sparked controversy by offering free placement of contraceptive devices in their high school health center. The program allows girls under 19 to get LARCs at no cost with full confidentiality, and no parental consent or insurance required. It is no surprise that, with the increase in access, Washington’s teen pregnancy rate is lower than the national average. In some counties, rates have even dropped as much as fifty percent.

The addition of LARCs as a contraceptive option in public schools can also decrease teen pregnancy rates overall. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, in the Committee Opinion on Intrauterine Device and Adolescents, concluded:

“Because adolescents contribute disproportionately to the epidemic of unintended pregnancy in this country, top-tier methods of contraception, including IUDs and implants, should be considered as first-line choices for both nulliparous and parous adolescents. After thorough counseling regarding contraceptive options, health care providers should strongly encourage young women who are appropriate candidates to use this method”

Pediatricians are only now encouraged to counsel adolescent patients on all contraceptive methods, starting with LARC methods due to their ease of use and effectiveness. While still small, the proportion of teens using LARC methods is growing: Among women aged 15–19, usage of IUD and contraceptive implants increased between 2002 and 2009 from 1 percent to 4.5 percent. After the introduction of a program in Colorado offering free placement of birth control devices, both teen birth and abortion rates dropped 48 percent over five years. A similar program in St. resulted in a 25 percent decrease in birth and abortion among sexually active teens (McClain 2015). These numbers suggest a clear positive correlation between access to LARCs and teen pregnancy rates.

The decline in teen pregnancy rates nationwide is cause for celebration, but it’s still too early to believe there is no more to be done. Further progress can be made by bringing contraceptive care directly to teens and by adding LARCs as a birth control option in reproductive counseling. It is well understood that the more children a woman has during her teen years, the less likely she is to complete high school, obtain a college degree, or maintain employment. One action we can take to address this still very real social issue and improve outcomes would be to fund the creation of more public school-based family planning or contraceptive healthcare services. Such entities would offer shining examples of how access to all contraception, including LARCs, is critical to teen pregnancy rate reduction.  

Birth control also known as contraceptives, has been used for thousands of years with varied results from all different crowds. During the Ancient Egypt era, a paste made of honey, sodium carbonate, and crocodile dung was a popular form of contraception. (Time Video and Gibson; 2015) Women found that in the 19th and 20th centuries, it was very hard to find effective contraception due to the strict laws implied that doctors were not allowed to spread information about birth control. Methods such as Lysol and Coca-Cola were used to kill the sperm, as a replacement for birth control.

Throughout this informative research paper, birth control will be discussed, more specifically the 2 most prominent forms; condoms and the contraceptive pill. The paper will reveal the many changes and developments that have severely affected the immense female community in our society, to help readers deeply understand the importance of contraceptives and the sexualization of such a unique technology within North America. The sexualization of Birth Control in Our Society To begin with, birth control plays a very important role in our society whether it be condoms or the contraceptive pill. It is made to prevent pregnancy, prevent sperm from getting to the eggs, and keep a woman’s ovaries from releasing eggs that could be fertilized. Condoms and hormonal pills are the most prominent forms of contraception that have been established for several years throughout history. The choice of birth control one chooses for themselves depends on the health of the user, frequency of sexual activity, number of sexual partners, and the desire to have children in the future.

The choice of birth control someone takes is one of the ways it is sexualized in our community. When teenagers speak about using birth control or buying condoms, it is automatically assumed that one is sexually active and is degraded sexually for doing so. This is seen highly when one purchases contraceptives, they are looked at weirdly and put in the category that is immensely sexualized. Sexual intercourse is seen as a sexualized action taken place for pleasure and is sometimes even seen as a “bad” thing in our society when spoken about in public. The media plays an immense role in these beliefs and portrayals. It is one of the most important factors in the initiation of sexual intercourse. The media that children and teenagers view today portray it as casual sex with absolutely no consequences whereas teenagers today NEED straightforward information about human sexuality and the importance of using contraceptives during intercourse. (Strasburger, 2010) The media such as television, films, music, and the internet are very sexually explicit and do not display information on abstinence, sexual responsibility, and birth control is rarely shown on American television. (Strasburger, 2010)

In the United States, people believe that giving teenagers access to birth control will make them sexually active at a younger age. Birth control is excessively sexualized in the public and given false accusations as stated above. There have been many clinical trials completed that prove giving teenagers access to condoms and other forms of birth control do not increase sexual activity or encourage sexual intercourse, but it helps teen pregnancy rates decrease as time goes on. Forms of Birth Control; Condoms One of the well-known birth control forms the public uses significantly is condoms. Condoms are known as one of the greatest inventions of the 19th century by the Irish playwright, George Bernard Shaw. This form of contraceptive is a thin rubber that is worn by the male on the penis during sexual intercourse as a protection again sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies. When the condom was established, many historians spoke about birth control as one of the most important parts of the history of sexuality, family, religion, social regulation, and private behavior. (Tone, 2002) Shaws’ invention of condoms was highly appreciated and a very respected technological change in society.

The ability of rubber skin, to prevent both the delivery of diseases and pregnancy was widely recognized in the world. Condoms had become a ‘commercial vitality technological change.’ (Tone, 2002) Condoms have dramatically changed and developed in the past decades and have become more safe, efficient and come in many different forms. When condoms were first invented, there was one form that everyone had used but now, there are many different brands and companies that one can choose from when purchasing the item. Other new condoms are being tested and designed as we speak today. This improved technology guarantees that the best condom manufacturers will be able to make the most uniform, strong, and elastic latex condoms for users to enjoy safely and efficiently. (Population records; Apr99)

Many of the changes made to condoms throughout the years are the materials, sizes, shapes, colors, textures, scents, and flavors, and also new kinds of lubricants for the users. There were many complaints of the older condoms being too tight and uncomfortable therefore manufacturers have produced many new models which are designed for each man’s needs and desires. Relating to sexuality, the designs of each condom are heavily sexualized as well because every user has different needs during sexual intercourse which is a highly sexualized act. One of the most dramatic changes in this specific technology is the innovation of female condoms. The female condom is a cotton panty that has a latex pouch that is built into its crotch. The panty covers the entire external female genital area and prevents any fluid from being exchanged or touching the genital areas between both partners. (Population records; Apr99) In many laboratory tests, female condoms have been proven to be the most safe and efficient when it comes to sperm and infectious sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV. These tests are seen as equally comparable to male condoms if not safer and more efficient. The advantage of the female condom is that the women feel more superior and involved in the sexual experience rather than not being the dominant partner at all.

They feel empowered and safer when communicating during sexual intercourse making their sexual pleasure and experience more successful and protected. There are disadvantages to the female condom as well, that being the unattractiveness of the technology itself and some women may find it uncomfortable and painful when utilizing the technology. It may not appeal to some of the women because they might associate the condom with prostitution and infidelity. (Population records; Apr99) The idea of prostitution and infidelity brings back the discussion of how birth control/contraceptives are sexualized and are seen as ‘bad’ in society by many others. Forms of Birth Control; The Hormonal Pill The second well-known birth control form used significantly by many females in our society is The Pill. The Pill is a hormonal oral-contraceptive medication that is taken once daily to prevent pregnancy and protect the user from all sexually transmitted diseases. The Pill was developed in the 1950s by two scientists, George Pincus and his colleague Min Chueh Chang. (Ainsworth, 2011) The idea of the hormonal contraceptive was not invented by scientists but by a woman’s rights activist, Margaret Sanger. She was a nurse in America and was the person behind the launch of the first oral contraceptive. Sanger believed that “no woman can call herself free who doesn’t own and control her own body.” (Ainsworth, 2011) By this quote, she meant to say that men have been in control when it comes to sexuality for decades with condoms, now females can finally empower men and have a say in their sexuality.

Margaret had devoted her time and research to establishing the advanced technology and went against the authorities to get the awareness of such technology out to the public. She had gotten a millionaire biologist, Katherine McCormick to fund her project which then finally made the contraceptive pill official in 1959. It was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and in 1960 was launched worldwide. Within the manufacturing process of the Pill, they focused significantly on the medical technology to be modified and produced to meet social expectations and demands. The development of the pill changed the lives of many women worldwide, especially in the United States where the pregnancy rates were high. To relate to sexuality within birth control technology, the process of medicalization reveals immense sexualization. The research examined that the hormonal contraceptive pill was known as the ‘lifestyle pill’ rather than a medication to cure one. The ‘lifestyle pill’ is the medication that will improve one’s life and quality of life instead of treating an illness, as stated before. This has changed how we portray this technology in the public dramatically, meeting social expectations and including social, economic, and cultural changes that then relate to sexuality within the process. This has revealed long-term benefits, not only on fordividual users but also on forciety. (Nucci, 2012) Ever since the contraceptive pill was established in 1960, the specific technology has developed dramatically. As the number of users using the contraceptive pill increased, the various pharmaceutical companies developed new pills and new brands/companies for the technology. In each new development, they decreased hormonal dosages and made the pills have less significant side effects for the users.

The Pill today is 99.9% safe and efficient for users to resort to as a birth control form of protection against sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies. This technology is designed to be used by healthy people, not to treat a disease and that is why it can be known as the ‘lifestyle pill.’ As Margaret stated in the research article, “a single pill, that is believed, would be able to make the lives of young and modern women better than well.” (Nucci, 2012) Conclusion Throughout the research, it is shown that the major technology that was developed/changed and modified over the years is birth control. The two significant forms of birth control included condoms and the very first oral hormonal contraceptive pill which has been modified immensely throughout the decades. This technology has affected not only the users of the contraceptives but the community altogether. The research helps the reader truly understand the importance of birth control, the revolutionary and ultimate technology in the sexualization of medication in North America. The condom and the Pill have advanced significantly for every user in the world and meet the social expectations and norms in our society today. There are many more advancements to be established within the sexualities of this specific technology. Recently, there has been an invention of male condoms which is being discussed and officialized by authorities soon. The new male condom will work similarly to the female contraception, producing hormones within the males and shining equality between both genders. The future is yet to come and there will be many more inventions and new successes to be established.       

For the past two centuries, the form of oral contraception has seen a rise in popularity with the differing views on the pill’s significance. Whether it be said that the pill has shown many positive benefits, the dangers of this form of contraception must remain known. Birth control is a negatively viewed drug that does more damage than good to society as a whole. Birth control is an unnecessary medical practice that gives women a bad stigma, causes major side effects, counteracts religious beliefs, and poses a threat to the environment.

The stigma of birth control displays a negative image of women, making them a target for hateful words and phrases. “Birth control makes women unattractive and crazy” (Bannon). When women are seen to be taking birth control, society automatically assumes because the woman is seen taking “the pill” she is open to having sex with anyone and parades her body like a male peacock boasting his feathers. Many women have reached out about how being targeted feels and how equality in sex drive is not the same. “76% say that girls are judged harshly for sexual behavior that is seen as acceptable in boys.” (Hrreview.co.uk) When “Is birth control…” is typed into the search bar of Google, the top two results are “Is birth control bad for you/ is birth control bad?” This shows that a lot of people have some concerns when it comes to oral contraceptives. The main concern about birth control is the side effects.

It is common for many medications to have side effects, when it comes to birth control the side effects only grow larger and more severe. The most reported side effects affiliated with birth control are intermenstrual spotting, nausea, breast tenderness, headaches, migraines, weight gain, mood changes, missed periods, decreased sex drive, vaginal discharge, and changes to eyesight for women who wear glasses/contact lenses. Intermenstrual spotting is the process of when women are in between the time gap of two menstrual cycles and continue to lose blood although it is not a large amount of blood it is still present. This could be annoying and inconvenient when dealing with daily activities. Nausea is very abundant in many side effects, nausea can be described as a feeling of sickness with the inclination of vomiting. Breast tenderness is simply the situation in which the breasts are sensitive to the touch. Headaches and migraines follow along the same path as nausea, all are very common but may decrease the ability to think clearly and work efficiently. Weight gain as a symptom is not as drastic as it sounds, the hormones in birth control interfere with the natural hormones which therefore result in the cause of weight gain, this is also the reason why it is said to have mood changes. Missed periods and vaginal discharge vary between each woman but both should be taken very close attention to and with great caution. Birth control side effects may impair eyesight for women who use visionary helping tools such as glasses and contact lenses. As if these side effects are not enough to make you take a second look, your religion might.

The vision of the human body is sacred and often referred to as a temple, with this being said the things that take place and are inserted into the body should be looked at very carefully. Many religions are against birth control seeing as it is not a natural form of preventative childbirth. This is believed by those following the roman catholic church, protestant religions, and Islam. As many people are faithful to their religion, likely, the followers of this religion will likely not partake in the consumption of this oral contraceptive. In avoidance of being seen as impure and a sinner, most families do not support or condone the usage of birth control.

The environment human beings live in is often taken for granted. Women who participate in consuming oral contraceptives are taking part in destroying the environment. This in particular is affecting the lives of innocent fish and the water they swim in. “Starting a few years ago, in the Potomac River, male largemouth bass started popping up with eggs in their sex organs. The deformity usually makes reproduction impossible, ultimately hurting the fish population. Many scientists believe the problem could stem from hormones and other pollutants flushed into our nation’s waterways from sewage treatment plants.” (Lopez) When the human choice of preventing reproduction becomes selfish, it is a necessity for our environment that we put the use of these pills behind human culture and look for better alternatives for all ecosystems, not just humans.

Birth control has many more downfalls than it does with positive outcomes, such as targeting women with the negative stigma of consuming birth control, The inconvenient side effects it takes on the body of the consumer and the people around, challenging religions, and putting the lives of innocent fish in danger for reproducing and being responsible for feeding the population. Birth control is a medication that negatively affects the entire society making it impossible to have more benefits than downfalls.

Works Cited

1. Evon, Dan, and Dan Evon. “FACT CHECK: Steve Bannon’s Vulgar Quote About Birth Control?” Snopes.com, www.snopes.com/fact-check/birth-control-steve-bannon/.
2. Editor. “87% Of Young Girls Think Women Are Judged on Appearance, Not Ability.” HRreview, 3 Dec. 2013, www.hrreview.co.uk/hr-news/diversity-news/women-are-judged-on-appearance-not-ability/49773.
3. Lopez, Kathryn. ‘The Birth Control Pill Has Destructive Environmental Consequences.’ Birth Control, edited by Margaret Haerens and Lynn M. Zott, Greenhaven Press, 2012. Opposing Viewpoints. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, https://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/EJ3010568243/OVIC?u=j084906&sid=OVIC&xid=cf9637c8. Accessed 3 Mar. 2019. Originally published as ‘Birth Control: The New Pollutant,’.

Women’s rights in Canada have greatly improved and accustomed to the needs of women in the last semi-century. Treating women equally, advocating feminist behaviors, and allowing them to have control over their bodies has gone from being inappropriate and deemed taboo to being predominantly normalized and encouraged in the present. Canada continues to strive for feminism today. Changes in Canadian legislation concerning women’s rights such as birth control, no-fault divorce, and abortion positively improved the lives of Canadian women from the 1960s to the present.

There are many impactful rights that Canadian women were introduced to, one of them being birth control. Birth control was becoming more accepted in the 1960s, especially after 1963, when Canadian birth-control activists Barbara and George Cadbury used the objectives of responsible parenthood and population education, to organize the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) with the Vancouver, Winnipeg, Hamilton, Toronto, and Ottawa birth control societies. The introduction of birth control as a right was a slow process but eventually, it allowed women to avoid pursuing unintended or unwanted pregnancies. This task took quite a while until it became more socially acceptable, but with the help of Barbara and George Cadbury and their organization, it slowly started to normalize itself. The public acceptance of birth control also increased after the post-war baby boom. Until birth control was removed from the criminal code in 1969, women were making contraceptives to prevent unwanted and unintended pregnancies. This proved the demand to be real. The legalization of birth control allowed women to avoid pregnancies and avoid unsafe abortions to be performed. The pill was available to women at the doctor’s prescription in early 1957 but only for irregular periods, rarely for pregnancies. This has dramatically changed when comparing it to the present, birth control is now available to women with easy access. The main function of birth control is to control pregnancy, and the law has started to realize that more. It is still acceptable to use birth control for irregular periods but they are now less restrictive and can be used for anything a woman needs. In conclusion, the changes in legislation concerning birth control positively impacted women by allowing them to gain freedom from unintended and unwanted pregnancies, allowing for fewer unsafe abortions to be performed, and allowing them to have more control over their lives and bodies.

The introduction of no-fault divorce gave women the right to a fulfilling marriage, the freedom to separate in case of physical or mental abuse, and the advantage of being the first to file a divorce. One year of separation and proof of an unrepairable marriage were the criteria for no-fault divorce. The ability to proceed with a no-fault divorce granted women the choice to leave an unfulfilling marriage and progress into a more fulfilling one if they chose to do so, without the denial of a judge. Having a difficult procedure to obtain a divorce or being denied the divorce discouraged women from filing a separation at all, thus proving this change to be positive. Symptoms of those who have experienced violence or manipulation can include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, substance abuse, eating disorders, self-blame or guilt, feelings of isolation and loneliness, anger, loss of control or feelings of powerlessness, and change in intimacy. The ability to leave an abusive marriage had a largely positive impact. An abusive marriage could have consisted of physical, verbal, and emotional manipulation which would have all traumatized the victim to various extents. Enabling women to file a divorce and choose whether they wanted to remain in an abusive relationship prevented the potential destruction of their well-being. Filing a divorce first ensured that women were prepared with legal documents, a team, expenses, and credit and that they had the choice of where their divorce would be adjudicated. No-fault divorce permitted women to reap the benefits of filing a necessary divorce, first. These benefits would not have been present before the change in legislature, therefore proving the positive impact. Also, filing a divorce first makes women feel individual and free, and that they are equal and important to everyone else. Overall, it may be said that no-fault divorce has positively improved the lives of women in ways like giving them the right to a fulfilling marriage, giving them the freedom to leave an abusive relationship, and freedom to reap the benefits of filing a divorce first.

Finally, the right to medical abortions positively impacted the lives of women by providing benefits such as the prevention of most abortion-related deaths, the right to a stable and safe family, and the right to dismiss an unintended or unwanted pregnancy. Performing abortions without medical assistance was dangerous and counted for seventeen to twenty percent of maternal deaths from 1926 to 1947. After abortion was criminalized, the rate of abortion-related deaths dropped dramatically. Access to medically assisted abortions lessened the pressure to perform dangerous abortion methods and encouraged the safety of women. Making abortion illegal will only increase unsafe abortions and will lead women to feel like they have no control over their bodies. The legalization of abortion gave women the right to raise a child and grow a family to the best of their ability if they chose to do so. Removing abortion from the criminal code and providing funding for it gave women the right to a stable and healthy family. Without access to abortion, a woman who was not ready for a child, financially, physically, or mentally would have to birth to the child and risk the well-being of her life or her family’s or risk her own life trying to perform an unsafe abortion. Women and their children are deserving of their well-being, so abortion rights give them the choice to keep or terminate the pregnancy. Legalizing abortion gives women the right to terminate an unwanted or unintended pregnancy. When they have access to abortion they can feel like the choices and decisions that they choose to make are valid and that they matter even if they choose to rightfully get an abortion. To conclude, legalizing abortion has positively impacted women by providing benefits such as the prevention of most abortion-related deaths, the right to a stable and safe family, and the right to dismiss an unintended or unwanted pregnancy.

To conclude, birth control, no-fault divorce, and abortion are all connected because these are rights that have strongly helped women’s rights become what they are now. Birth control is very connected to abortion because many women take birth control to control their pregnancies and abortion is used to get rid of an unwanted pregnancy. Women’s rights such as birth control, no-fault divorce, and abortion are all changes in Canadian legislation that have powerfully improved the lives of Canadian women from the 1960s to the present. In the present, Canada continues to transition into a feminist-based society. Abortion rates are rising. More has changed than it has remained the same which is a positive ideology for Canadian women

Bibliography

1. ‘Birth-control Pill Turns 50 | CBC News.’ CBC news. May 10, 2010. Accessed January 06, 2019. https://www.cbc.ca/news/birth-control-pill-turns-50-1.908892 (Secondary Source)
2. ‘Emotional and Physical Reactions to Violence and Abuse.’ Our Bodies Ourselves. Access’Abortion Issue, Ten Years Later – CBC Archives.’ CBC news. Accessed January 17, 2019 https://www.cbc.ca/archives/entry/abortion-issue-ten-years-later (Primary Source)
3. Landers, Jeff. ‘What Are The Financial And Legal Advantages Of Being First To File For Divorce?’ Forbes. March 26, 2013. Accessed January 17, 2019. https://www.forbes.com/sites/jefflanders/2013/03/26/what-are-the-financial-and-legal-advantages-of-being-first-to-file-for-divorce/#45654943ac07 (Secondary Source)
4. Mary F. Bishop. ‘Birth Control.’ The Canadian Encyclopedia. Accessed January 06, 2019. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/birth-control (Secondary Source)
5. Mitchell, Penni. Women’s Rights. Nova Scotia: Fernwood Publishing, 2015. (Secondary Source)      

As many of you know a group discussion is a bunch of different ideas brought together by your classmates and well sometimes some of them will not be effective and some are probably really good facts, it’s to bring everyone and their knowledge to the table, Today I and my two peers decided we were going to talk about birth control, and if it should be available to teens over the counter, and I feel like that’ll be a great topic to choose from since it’s a lot of facts about it and also because it’s current!

It is known that birth control is to prevent pregnancy a well-known fact anybody knows! You can always get it prescribed by your local doctor and planned parenthood but some people are questioning whether should it be sold to teens over the counter, I found that it’s a good option for young girls and young adults as well if somebody isn’t ready for a baby they should have the choice to take the next day pill which is birth control and stop the process before it gets too late and then you’ll have to get an abortion which is not a good option to me, nobody should have to reach the point to abortion if it was sold over the counter, so then there comes a disagreement with my peer, as if he feels like all teens should not be able to buy birth control over the counter and they should go to the doctor and get a prescription but then here’s the fact, It’s a good percentage of babies that are abandoned, they end up in foster care and or sometimes even deceased, because of bad parenting. No kids what so over should be going through that pain of feeling alone and abandoned and it all leads up to them not being ready and stabilized to be parents, there’s a ten percent percentage of teens being pregnant at the age of fifteen through seventeen minds they are teens, they should be able to run to a pharmacy or a drug store and be able to pick up birth control without a prescription being prescribed, no matter the age we are all one, if somebody doesn’t want any kids they should be able to buy birth control anywhere, most teens get raped and then they’re left with a baby and that leads up to having depression all your life, your just not confident with yourself anymore

My peers discussed the topic very well, there was a lot more discussion but those few facts caught my eye, there were a few rules we followed which were keeping the discussion on topic and not switching it up or throwing it off, they were followed really good everybody bought really good facts and opinions and also disagreement. The way I presented my viewpoint was great I gathered a lot of facts about birth control and how I presented and spoke about it went well, just how I presented my points and said my facts I did the same with my peer we listened to each other we waited till one of us stopped talking to discussion something, we were respectful to one another and not just interrupting one another, as well as eye contact and hand movements this was like a meeting set up in a business environment everybody listened, there was a lot of good facts my peers gathered and yes it did get a little hectic because of the disagreements as all group discussions have, and which is totally normals because not everybody’s going to have the same mindset as one another everybody is different and everybody thinks differently.

Our group discussion went well it made me one to do another one just by hearing more facts I didn’t know about and having the ability to hear my other peers bring in facts about this topic was good, our language and our grammar were really good no complications what’s so ever about that, our tone of voice was calm and normal, there was no shape of form of loudness and screaming and I think me and my peers did good on this ground discussion I feel like that’s how it supposed to be that’s what you call a good group discussion and I think that’s how everybody’s discussion should go.

The topic of women’s health is often overlooked in many ways. However, these discussions and conversations must be done out in the open. One of these surrounds the question of why women still get pregnant even when they are on birth control.

To start with, no form of birth control guarantees 100% efficiency. Therefore, it is always a gamble that women take. A new study is offering insight into why some women who use birth control methods still get pregnant even after using them correctly.

In the past, it was believed that the woman used the method wrong or waited until the implants expired. However, studies now show that women with uncommon genetic differences can render contraceptives ineffective.

The study by researchers from the University of Colorado School of Medicine found that 5% of women have this gene. Their bodies, therefore, produce an enzyme that counters the effects of birth control hormones.

While some of these are among those who use low doses of contraceptives, most others are left with low hormone levels even after using high doses of contraceptives. There is, however, no specific type of contraceptive that this enzyme attacks.

Hormonal contraceptives

In essence, pills, implants, and injections release synthetic versions of female hormones and override the monthly cycle to prevent ovulation. These hormones trick the body into thinking it’s pregnant. Therefore, the release of the egg is halted each month.

These hormones make the mucus around the cervix thicker, which traps sperm and prevents the sperm from reaching the egg.

From the research, it is definite that contraceptives are not an absolute birth control method. The lead author and assistant professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aaron Lazorwitz, says that this study is the first time that genetics and birth control have been linked together.

Usually, when a woman who is using contraceptives gets pregnant, they are blamed for using them wrong or purposely trying to ‘trap the man.’ However, the researchers at the University of Colorado School of Medicine decided to dig deeper into the issue.

The presence of a gene called CYP3A*1C in a woman’s body will break down the hormones from birth control. Since this is the first finding into the relationship between genetics and birth control, more studies are underway.

The availability of more genetic data will help clinicians account for genetic predispositions when reporting and administering hormonal contraceptive methods.

Contraceptives vs. a woman’s health

This is a very passionate discussion that is rocking the world. Many women have experienced unprecedented side effects of using birth control methods. It is a complicated thing for a woman to decide the type of birth control they want to use.

There is a general lack of information among women concerning contraceptives. This is especially true for younger teenage girls. Thanks to the internet, women can now access information that they would otherwise be too shy to ask for.

Medical practitioners should play the role of providing information to women. A woman’s body is delicate, and in this day and age, it is not safe to use the trial-and-error method.

Side effects

One of the recently discovered side effects of birth control is the impairment of a woman’s ability to recognize complex emotions. This is mainly prevalent in oral pills. While the result may be unnoticeable, it is a very significant blur in a woman’s social judgment.

According to studies, a woman will have challenges recognizing expressions like pride and contempt. However, they can realize basic emotional expressions. Scientists claim that this is a casual effect; however, it is unclear how it affects the ability to form intimate relationships in the long run.

Users of Oral Contraceptives (OCP) are 10% worse on average compared to those who don’t use oral contraceptives. OCP users cannot easily decipher complex emotions, and therefore, their social interactions are inhibited.

Is there good news?

The good news is that today, women have a lot more access to information than they did in the past. Today, women have the opportunity to make an informed decision, knowing most of the pros and cons of their choice.

Another set of good news is the fact that some hormonal contraceptives help women control acne as well as the risk of endometriosis. As a result, the woman has a lower chance of colon, ovarian, and uterine cancers. However, the pill increases the risk of breast and cervical cancer.

Another downside to many birth control methods is that their psychological effects are not well documented. Hundreds of millions of women around the world use OCP, but no conclusive research on the emotional, social interaction, and psychological impact has been documented.

With this in mind, it is essential for further studies around the subject need to investigate the exact extent of these effects. In some cases, birth control methods affect a woman’s ability to maintain intimate relationships. Therefore, scientists recommend that clinicians provide detailed information concerning the consequences of different methods of birth control.