Birth Control

A 19-year-old patient (she/they) comes in for STI testing since they recently started seeing someone new. After reviewing their sexual history and ordering appropriate testing, the provider checks in about how their birth control pills are working for them–the chart indicates they’ve been on a combined oral contraceptive for about a year. They reply, “Oh. I stopped taking them a couple of months ago–I heard it's good to take a break once in a while.”   They don’t report side effects and share that the decision was driven by things they kept seeing online. They are not interested in having kids anytime soon.

Managing implant-related bleeding, Misoprostol route options for cervical priming, access gaps to 12-month contraceptive supplies, clinician beliefs about reporting self-managed abortion

An end-of-year review of the viral misinformation trends that shaped conversations about contraception, abortion, and sexual health in 2025.

Partner treatment for recurrent BV, ACOG contraceptive access update, de-implementing early pregnancy RhIG, tampon use with contraceptive vaginal rings, WHO MEC and SPR updates

What providers need to know about how these pills work and when to use them

An 18-year-old (she/her) started a combined hormonal contraceptive pill (COC) three months ago, prescribed by her primary care provider. She’s been taking a pill with 0.15 mg levonorgestrel/30 mcg EE. She’s now following up with you because she’s been feeling moodier since starting the pill. She’s not totally sure if the pill is to blame, but says it’s affecting her quality of life and she’s interested in talking about other options.

DMPA on TikTok, OTC pill sales, Misoprostol & IUD placements, Telehealth abortion & TGD populations, Abortion restrictions & infant mortality

How I fought to get the pain relief I needed