morning after pill more accessible

The FDA has decided to allow seventeen-year-olds to access the morning after pill, dropping the limit one year from the previous standard of eighteen. Read the full article.

Nothing like better population control in the midst of over-population, over-consumption, an energy crisis, and economic turmoil. Way to go, giving young women control over their own bodies.

Obama pushing ahead for women, freedom and health

President Obama has begun to overturn the Bush administration's encroachment on freedom, health, and reproduction. Overturning prior rules that allow health care providers to withhold access to contraception, the current administration is restoring the right of patients to receive comprehensive care and information.

Let's tell the Obama administration that we want full speed ahead and let the Department of Health and Human Services know that the HHS refusal regulation has to go now.

Take action here

tell Obama thanks for protecting health

According to Planned Parenthood:

One woman dies every minute of every day due to pregnancy-related causes, including unsafe abortion, and over 200 million women in developing countries who wish to delay or end childbearing lack access to modern contraceptives.

In the spirit of health and freedom, please join Planned Parenthood in thanking President Obama for acting on behalf of choice, and allowing US aid to international organizations that provide abortion and reproductive information.

Say "thanks" here.

Obama repeals anti-choice policy

From the New York Times:

President Obama repealed rules on Friday that restricted federal money for international organizations that promote or provide abortions overseas, sweeping aside a pillar of the social policy architecture of George W. Bush's presidency.

The latest on President Obama, the new administration and other news from Washington and around the nation.

The executive order that Mr. Obama signed reverses one of the first measures enacted by Mr. Bush when he took over the White House eight years ago and capped an opening-week flurry of action intended to signal a sharp break from the past in domestic and foreign arenas.

“For the past eight years, they have undermined efforts to promote safe and effective voluntary family planning in developing countries,” Mr. Obama said of the restrictions. “For these reasons, it is right for us to rescind this policy and restore critical efforts to protect and empower women and promote global economic development.” (full article)

today marks 36 years of Roe v. Wade

and cheers to many many more.

the cup is up

I have been blogging a lot about the sustainability of the reusable menstrual cup, and this week the thing is finally up and running. Since I am trying to spread awareness about the cup, I have decided to report back on my experiences. It is very comfortable, and actually, the days of chaffing are gone for good due to difference in material.

I did have an awkward moment that I had to self-talk my way out of. I was at school and the cup, just like tampons, needs to be tended to throughout the day. Admittedly, I was embarrassed to have to wash it out in a public bathroom. Mortified actually. But then I thought about. I think other women should be embarrassed of how wasteful they are with their menstrual products. I shouldn't feel uncomfortable because I put the earth before more conventional social practices. Booya.

tampons and eco-periods: part II

I recently blogged about reusable menstrual cups, organic tampons minus applicators, and sustainability. A reader left a great comment and a very informative link featuring the pictures below. These pictures, which are taken directly from The Keeper Moon Cup website, display waste produced per month, per year, and per ten years by tampons.

ONE MONTH

ONE YEAR

TEN YEARS

This is really an overwhelming quantity of waste. So the next time you have to stuff your muff, please consider the environment and a reusable menstrual cup.

(Considering that the Keeper Moon Cup has been so helpful, let me clarify and say the only reason that I had originally blogged about this topic using the DivaCup is simply because it is available at Whole Foods and was the first to be in front of my face--not because of any differences in quality.)

tampons and eco-periods

Let's face it: periods are neither convenient nor eco-friendly. Just imagine that one uses 15 tampons per cycle, and one has 35 years of menstruation. 15 x 12 x 35=6,300 tampons--and that does not account for packaging, production, shipment, etc.

This is all just too much to bare, so I decided to invest in a cup (it's actually called the DivaCup--but while I am certainly not embarrassed to talk about my period, I am definitely embarrassed to admit I purchased an item with the word "Diva" in it).

Basically, it is a reusable, latex-free, plastic-free, hypoallergenic cup without dyes or additives that you insert and empty/wash as needed. I was so excited to give it a trial run and blog about it--but I honestly could not work the damn thing. I have friends that swear by it...maybe I'll have better luck next time.

Anyway, this led me to 7th Generation organic tampons. If you were not already aware, regular tampons contain additives and other icky stuff not suited for your insides. I was happy to see that 7th Generation makes organic tampons that are 100% cotton--nothing else. Not even an applicator which, by the way, IS SUCH A WASTE OF PLASTIC. Without the applicator, the box is an eighth of the size of conventional brands.

As for the cup, I'll get back to you on that.

Bush eliminates choice before he leaves office

The Bush administration has now limited the rights of women seeking reproductive care by a federally funded health care provider. Anti-choice staff does not have to provide information about abortion, birth control or sex education to their patients.

According to Planned Parenthood:

Facilities that receive family planning funding, like Planned Parenthood, will have to certify that they will not refuse to hire nurses and other providers who object to abortion and even certain types of birth control. For example, a doctor who opposes pre-marital sex could refuse to provide a prescription or even information about emergency contraception to an unmarried woman.

Please ask the Obama administration to take action against this.

Bush, get out of office and leave women alone

Despite the fact that the Bush administration promised not to make any regulations past November 1st, Dubya has decided to impose new ultra right wing restrictions on female access to health care. According to Planned Parenthood:

The rule could allow health care organizations that receive federal funding to redefine abortion to include the most common forms of birth control — and then refuse to provide these basic services. For any health care provider to intentionally withhold information about widely embraced health care options from a patient is absolutely unconscionable under any circumstances. The federal government has no business funding providers who do not abide by this most fundamental standard of care.

Senator Clinton added:

"In the final days of his administration, the president is again putting ideology first and attempting to roll back health care protections for women and families. This HHS rule will threaten patients' rights, stand in the way of health care professionals, and restrict access to critical health care services for those who need them most. Senator Murray and I are standing up once again to the administration against this rule and will continue to fight for women's reproductive rights."

You can take action here

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