American women are urging each other online to see their gynecologist after the 2016 presidential election. Women in particular encourage each other to learn more about intrauterine device (IUD) before the inauguration of Donald Trump on Jan. 20.
Women's Reproductive Rights Under A Trump Presidency
Trump's stand on reproductive rights has worried women. He has run an anti-choice campaign and said about defunding Planned Parenthood.
His running mate, Mike Pence, is also very much devoted to ending reproductive rights and has expressed an intent to work on ending Planned Parenthood, which serves 2.5 million people per year, offering birth control and services that include STD testing, pap smears, counseling and abortions.
Both men have likewise said that they would repeal Obamacare. The Affordable Care Act currently requires that insurance companies provide women free access to birth control as a form of preventative care.
Cost Of Contraception Without Insurance
Under Obamacare, use of IUD is highly subsidized and sometimes even free. Without insurance, IUD consultation, the device and the insertion can cost women up to $1,000, which is relatively more expensive. Contraceptive pills, on the other hand, can cost uninsured women up to $50 a month.
Many Women Planning To Get IUD
Concerns over the future of women's reproductive rights following Trump's win have prompted many women to consider getting IUDs and encourage others to do the same.
"If you can get pregnant: try to get an IUD in the next 70 days while you are still covered," wrote Twitter user nurse lyons.
IUD And Other Birth Control Methods
Although there are other birth control methods that women can turn to to prevent pregnancy, use of IUD is highly recommended and women are urging others to do research about it. The so-called long-lasting reversible contraceptives, or LARCs, which include IUD and hormonal implants are known to be 99 percent effective when it comes to preventing unwanted pregnancy.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that the effectiveness of other forms of birth control methods, which include use of birth control pills, contraceptive shot, patch, ring and barrier methods, depends on correct and consistent use, which means that these other forms of contraception are less effective than intrauterine contraception and contraceptive implant.
There are also concerns over the safety of other birth control methods particularly for some women with certain health conditions. Women with epilepsy who use hormonal contraceptives, for instance, have increased chances of suffering from seizures compared with their counterparts who do not use oral contraceptives.
