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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:

Let's Talk Month + IUDs + AI Relationships

"When your kid is like 'Hey, I had a question about this'… I was not ready to have that kind of conversation…but now that you're asking it, now I have to talk about it."

Learn more about having open conversations about bodies, relationships, and sex with your loved ones here.

Let's Talk…

October is Let's Talk Month, an annual public awareness campaign that encourages open, honest communication between young people and the trusted adults in their lives.

As a parent or caregiver, you don't need to be an expert to talk about bodies, relationships, and sex — you just need to be willing to talk and listen.

We're here with new resources to help you become a go-to resource for answers and advice for the young people you care for, whether they're in pre-K or college. New resources include a video series, companion card game, and conversation guide. These tools can help young people and the adults who love them have open, honest, and fun conversations around topics like puberty, healthy relationships, bullying, online safety, and more.

Check out our new conversation guides, videos, and other educational content for age-appropriate, non-judgmental tools to help you discuss a range of important sex education topics, like pregnancy and personal safety.

Learn more >>

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

Last month, the FDA approved a new generic form of mifepristone, the safe and effective medication used for miscarriage and abortion care. Despite overwhelming evidence of its safety and efficacy, access to medication abortion remains under attack.

For many people, pregnancy and giving birth can carry an additional layer of anxiety and danger: possible detainment or deportation. The 19th News dives into how increased ICE presence and deportations hurt pregnant people without permanent legal status.

A new survey from the Center for Democracy and Technology found that nearly one in five high schoolers say they or somebody they know has had a romantic relationship with artificial intelligence. Experts say these tools could pose risks to data security and student wellbeing.

Ask the Experts:

Can I get an IUD?

The IUD might be a good choice for you if:

You need long-lasting protection against pregnancy. Paragard (copper) IUDs work for up to 12 years, and hormonal IUDs work for 3-8 years, depending on the brand you get.

You prefer a method that's easy to use. One great thing about an IUD is you don't have to think about it once it’s inserted. There's no pill to take daily, and nothing to put into place before you have sex.

You want lighter periods and less menstrual cramping. One of the side effects of the hormonal IUD is lighter periods and less cramping during your period. Some people even stop getting their period altogether when they're using it (don't worry — this is totally safe).

You want privacy when it comes to your birth control. No one can tell you're using an IUD by looking at you.

Just like every medicine and birth control method, the IUD has some side effects that you may not like.

It can hurt when you get your IUD put in. Your nurse or doctor will likely recommend taking Ibuprofen or Acetaminophen before you have it placed. And some nurses and doctors will offer you local anesthesia for the procedure.

You may have spotting between periods. This can go away over time.

The copper IUD can increase period cramps and make your period heavier and longer. This can also get better over time.

The best way to figure out if the IUD is right for you is to make an appointment at your nearest Planned Parenthood health center. They'll ask you about your medical history to make sure there aren't any health risks and talk with you about your sexual and reproductive health needs.

Learn more about IUDs.

*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.
Got a question in mind? Ask Roo, our sex ed chatbot.

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