“The Sex Box”

At my high school, my health teacher had a box of educational materials that we affectionately termed the “sex box” although some of the items were only tangentially related. Inside were objects such as a speculum, a wooden penis for condom demonstrations, condoms of the female and male variety, an empty oral contraceptive holder and a diaphragm. During class, we discussed the wide array of contraceptive methods present and the potential costs and benefits of each. As cliché as it sounds, the axiom that every women is different holds true especially when it comes to contraception. Every woman has a method that works best for their bodies. Many of my friends choose the Pill. I’m reminded whenever a group of my friends have dinner and a cell phone alarm sounds. After the pinging of the alarm, someone usually inquires, “B.C.?” our barely veiled reference to birth control. Some of my friends take birth control to manage medical conditions such as polycystic ovarian syndrome or to cope with painful menstrual cramps and of course, some take oral contraceptives to prevent pregnancy.

In part, that is what makes the Institute of Medicine’s recommendations for no-cost birth control so great. It covers a wide array of contraceptive methods. The recommendations encompass FDA-approved over the counter and doctor prescribed methods. This means that women can use the contraceptive method that is best for them without worrying about added costs. However, the Institute of Medicine’s recommendations still need to be adopted by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) before they become an actuality for women. Please sign our petition to HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to demonstrate your support for no-cost birth control.