Why We Are Saying Thanks, Birth Control
Thanks, Birth Control Day comes at a unique moment, and we have the power to move the conversation about birth control forward online.
Birth control is health care, and it makes so much possible. Thanks, Birth Control Day is an opportunity to shed light on those experiences through storytelling. And every story counts.
Many rely on their method to prevent pregnancy, have sex worry-free, manage painful periods, and conditions like PMOS (formerly PCOS) and endometriosis. And access to birth control has allowed countless people to finish school, build careers, and plan families on their own timeline. On Thanks, Birth Control Day, we celebrate all of it. And access to birth control should never be up for debate!
In preparation for our 14th annual campaign, members of the Power to Decide staff shared how birth control access has impacted their lives.
Manage health conditions:
“In 2023, I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease and put on a medication that is unsafe for pregnancy. I knew I wasn't ready to start a family, so I decided to get an IUD to have peace of mind to continue to treat my disease without worrying about pregnancy. Not to mention, not having a period has been amazing, especially as someone with existing GI issues. I've been able to focus on my health, my career, and enjoy a child-free life until or if I'm ready for kids.”
Have kids when the time is right:
“Birth control has made it possible for me to have kids with the best partner for me, at the right time for me, and in a way that has allowed me to be the best (hopefully!) parent I can be.”
Different methods for different stages of life:
“I've tried almost every birth control method out there, and along the way it's given me so much! It's kept my breasts from hurting so I could play sports, or just even run down the stairs pain-free. It let me delay my period, so I could travel the world period-free. It helped me build my dream career supporting others and access the full range of sexual and reproductive health care resources. It gave me time to pour my love into furbabies. And now, at 41, it lets me plan my first child on my own terms and my own timeline. Talk about birth control being the reason for it all!”
“I've used several different kinds of birth control, all of which have made my life better. At first, hormonal birth control helped with managing really painful and heavy periods in middle school and high school. Then I used another form of hormonal birth control as a way to combat some of my PMOS symptoms in college. Later, I used condoms to protect myself from STIs, and I'll be taking birth control AGAIN to help with perimenopause symptoms. Being able to take care of my body by using birth control has made my life, my family, and my health possible.”
Finish school and build a career:
“Birth control has given me my career as an advocate by helping me to avoid pregnancy while finishing college and growing my career, it has helped me build the family I want (husband and dog) and, over the years, saved me from migraines, 9-day periods, and other unpleasantness. It's foundational to my happiness.”
“Birth control helped me manage my very short cycles; it helped me finish my education, build my career, and time my children for moments in which I was best prepared to raise and support them.”
So many people have similar untold stories that are waiting to be heard. This Thanks, Birth Control Day, share your story, whatever it looks like. When people have honest information and the care they need, they have the power to decide.
