Blogs

Birth control — 99% of women have used it at some point in their lives. Yet somehow it continues to be a taboo subject. Social media platforms shy away from advertisements that discuss birth control in non-clinical terms. Certain politicians and media personalities talk about it like it's a luxury item rather than basic health care.

Content warning: Abuse (physical, emotional, sexual), rape, sexual assault

At a recent conference that I attended on prescription pain medication (e.g., opioid or narcotic pain relievers, including drugs such as Vicodin and OxyContin), I learned that prescription drug overdoses are on the rise among women. Federal data indicate that women between the ages of 45 and 54 are at a greater risk than men in the same age category of overdosing on prescription opioid medications. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that while more men than women died from drug overdoses in 1999–2010, during that same time period, the rate of deaths from overdose among women increased by 151%, almost twice that of men. Prescription opioid misuse and abuse resulted in over 200,000 emergency room visits by women in 2010, twice as many as was reported in 2004.

Ed. note: This blog is cross-posted from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Blog. The original post date was April 13, 2015.

Whether you call them sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), one thing is true: Women are at risk of infection. Not only does a woman's anatomy make her vulnerable to STIs, women are less likely to have symptoms than men. Untreated STIs can lead to serious health issues, including infertility, cancer, and even death. It's not fun to think about, but protecting yourself from STIs like genital herpes, genital warts, chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, and HIV is an important part of staying healthy.

"My first encounter with [your clinic] was after the delivery of my beautiful daughter. By keeping myself healthy and delaying another pregnancy, I was able to complete my education." — A thank-you note from a teen client at a Title X family planning clinic

Content warning: Rape and sexual assault

Measles is one of the most contagious diseases around, and getting vaccinated is the best way to protect against getting infected. In the United States, we have more than 50 years of experience with the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine — also known as the MMR vaccine. As a medical professional, I am confident in its safety and effectiveness and that its benefits far outweigh its risks. Not because I said so, but because that's what the science tells us.

Ed. note: This blog is cross-posted from the AIDS.gov blog. The original post date was March 11, 2015.

Ed. note: This blog is cross-posted from the The White House Blog. The original post date was March 10, 2015.