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TBH (To Be Honest) is a monthly newsletter dedicated to learning about our bodies, talking about sex and relationships, and challenging health inequity and injustice.

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IN THIS ISSUE:

Period anxiety + IUD innovations + Birth control side effects

"There has been this shift, especially over the last five to 10 years, of centering patients’ experiences, needs, and preferences more than before. It is long overdue, but I think we are finally going in the right direction… We have reached a tipping point "

- Katharine White, MD, chief of obstetrics and gynecology at Boston Medical Center

Learn more about new innovations and guidelines in IUD procedures.

From the blog…

Got questions about the HPV vaccine for your kid? We’ve got answers! Here are three things you should know.

From the Experts: What is a bilateral salpingectomy? Learn more about the sterilization procedure's benefits, costs, and recovery.

Need birth control, but worried about the cost? Here's how Planned Parenthood health centers may be able to help!

Read more on the blog >>

What we're watching, reading, listening to, and taking action on:

Listen: 2024 was … a lot. Morning Edition broke down the biggest moments of the year in the fight for reproductive rights.

Ever feel extra anxious before your period? You're not alone. Period anxiety is REAL. Here's what you need to know about what causes it and how to manage it.

Getting an IUD placed can be easy for some but extremely painful for others. A new tool called the Carevix promises to make the process more comfortable for all.

The U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate among high-income nations. It’s even higher in rural areas without enough access to maternal health care. For many pregnant people in these areas, expanding maternity care is a more urgent priority than abortion access.

Tampons, pads, menstrual cups, and more — you have options when it comes to period care. But which choice is best for the environment?

Ask the Experts:

"What are birth control side effects?"

Birth control side effects can be different for everyone. It all depends on which method you’re using and how your body reacts to it.

Some common side effects of hormonal birth control (the pill/patch/ring, the shot, the implant and hormonal IUDs) include:

Changes in your menstrual cycle, like spotting between your periods or missing periods

Nausea

Breast tenderness

Reducing acne (for the pill, patch, and ring)

Changes in your appetite or weight (with the shot and implant only)

Certain hormonal birth control methods can make your periods lighter and shorter, and also reduce cramping. Your period may even go away completely with hormonal IUDs (like Mirena, Skyla, and Liletta), the implant, or the shot (Depo-Provera).

Some research has shown that taking birth control pills may slightly increase your risk of breast cancer, but the chances of that happening are very low. Birth control pills have also been shown to protect against endometrial cancer.

The copper IUD (Paragard) doesn't have hormones. It may cause heavier periods and more cramps.

Other non-hormonal options, like condoms, diaphragms, and spermicide don't have side effects that affect your period, mood, or weight. But it’s a good idea to check what materials they're made out of, in case you're allergic or sensitive to them.

Everyone's body responds to each type of birth control differently. And it might take a few tries to find your best birth control. You can contact your nearest Planned Parenthood health center to talk with a provider about which birth control method is right for you.

*Note: Planned Parenthood is not responsible for nor does it endorse any legal, medical, or other advice or information provided by any of the entities identified or referenced herein or by any other third parties, whether referenced herein or not.

Check out Ask The Experts for more Q&As on a ton of different health topics.
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