Knowledge is Power!

One of the greatest lessons that I have learned thus far during my time serving with the National Health Corps of Chicago is that many people do not have a strong understanding or knowledge base when it comes to their sexual and reproductive health. I often hear patients say things like,'If an IUD can stay up there for so long, why can't I leave my NuvaRing in for that long?", or'I heard that this type of birth control makes you sick". This understanding based around myth and rumors can be incredibly detrimental to a person's health when it comes to making smart and healthy decisions about their reproductive health. As a reproductive health specialist and outreach coordinator, my role is so important when it comes to helping patients make informed decisions about what kind of birth control they want to use.

I remember speaking to a young woman in the Adolescent and Young Adult Clinic about the kind of birth control method she wanted to use. It was a difficult conversation to start because she only knew about the pill and the patch as birth control methods, so there was so much more information that she needed to hear before making an informed decision about which method she wanted to start using. I started by asking her about what she knew about birth control and what she liked about it. She said that she knew about the patch and the pill, and liked that birth control would prevent her from getting pregnant. I then started talking about the calendar method, diaphragms, withdrawal, and condoms as forms of birth control that people do use, but are very unreliable when used incorrectly and have a high risk of ending in pregnancy as well as spreading sexually transmitted infections (STIs). I then moved to more low risk forms of birth control like the pill, patch, depo provera shot, and the ring. I remember talking to her about how these forms of birth control are very reliable when used correctly.'Do you have any questions about these methods?", I asked.'I hate getting shots", she said.'That's fine! Then, Depo Provera isn't for you". Then, we focused on the most effective forms of birth control: intrauterine devices (IUD) and the implant. I spoke about how these forms of birth control are the most effective in preventing unwanted pregnancy because you don't have to do anything with them once they are inserted.'How do you feel about these forms of birth control?", I asked. She squirmed in her seat. I could tell immediately that the idea of getting something inserted into her uterus made her uncomfortable. Understandable. The idea of getting an IUD inserted can be intimidating for young people, especially when you first learn about what they are! We spoke more about what scared her about getting an IUD, and what other birth control methods she felt more comfortable with. Eventually, she settled on the birth control pill. Although she did not pick a form of birth control that she had just learned about, I knew that from this long conversation we had about every form of birth control, she was making an informed decision that was the best for her and her lifestyle.

Learning about how your body works and how you can prevent unwanted pregnancies as well as the spread of STIs is so important because the decisions you make based on what you know can have massive consequences on your health and life. Talking to this young woman in the youth clinic was so wonderful because I felt like I was opening up her world in regards to all of the options she has to ensure that the decisions she is making are the right ones for her. My time at Fantus Family Planning, and with the National Health Corps, has, for me, reaffirmed that old proverb'Knowledge is power". Knowledge about your health gives you the power to make the best decisions for you, and that is such a beautiful and empowering thing.

This blog post was written by NHC Chicago 2016-17 member Katarina Alajbegovic.

Katarina is a Health Educator at Fantus Health Center, Family Planning Clinic.