Sexual and Reproductive Rights Are Human Rights
As we close out Universal Human Rights Month, it's a good time to reflect on the protections you have for your rights. Fundamental human rights are inherent, regardless of nationality, ethnic origin, color, or sexual orientation. And living in the United States gives you basic freedoms like the right to life, education, and work.
Even though you may not think about it, having reproductive and sexual health choices are also a fundamental human right. Decisions you make about your body, when to have children, who to marry, or your gender identity should be your own. So, having access to accurate information and health services and living a life free from sexual violence is imperative.
So here are some critical facts about reproductive rights to consider as you continue to honor the work that has gone into ensuring the protection of everyone's freedom.
Sexual Rights + Reproductive Health = Healthy Sexuality
Good sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to your sexuality and sexual relationships.
Abuses of these rights are often because of deeply rooted beliefs and societal values about women's sexuality and ability to reproduce. Unplanned or repeated pregnancies spaced too closely together can devastate your health, sometimes with fatal consequences.
So, create a reproductive life plan which outlines your goals for having children (or not), the desired timing and spacing of those children, and how you'll achieve those goals. This plan also helps you identify your reproductive health care needs, like birth control services, pregnancy testing, and counseling to manage a pregnancy.
If pregnancy is not in your plan, you should discuss safe and effective birth control options with your healthcare provider. Generally, birth control poses few severe health risks, but each method has pros and cons.
Hormonal birth control prevents your ovaries from releasing eggs or thickens your cervical mucus so sperm can't get through. Non-hormonal methods don't affect your hormones but prevent pregnancy by creating physical barriers. They also can create hostile environments so the fertilized egg can't implant into the lining of your uterus.
Most health plans (Medicaid, The Affordable Care Act Marketplace, or your employer) cover the cost of family planning, counseling, and birth control methods.
Accessing Sexual And Reproductive Health Services
It's vital to protect your reproductive organs from injury and infections. This starts with making you schedule preventive services like Pap smears, breast cancer screenings, and regular sexually transmitted infections (STIs) testing.
Beginning at age 21 and regardless of sexual activity, you should start having Pap smear screenings. This exam is quick, easy, and vital in the early detection of cervical cancer. If your Pap smear is normal between the ages of 21 and 29, your screening should only be repeated every three years. If you are 30 and over, you should have testing for the human papillomavirus (HPV) in addition to your Pap smear.
Experts recommend that sexually active people with cervixes ages 24 years and younger be screened for chlamydia and gonorrhea infections annually. If you are 25 years or older and at an increased risk for infection, you should be screened for these infections as needed.
The screening recommendations are anatomy-based for transgender or gender-diverse individuals. For example, routine screening should be extended to all transgender men and gender-diverse people with a cervix.
Leaving STI infections untreated can cause serious health problems like pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, ectopic pregnancy, or infant death.
Abortion Care Is A Human Right
Safe and legal abortion care is essential. Deciding to end your pregnancy is not easy, and it doesn't mean you don't want or love children. There are many reasons why you may choose to have an abortion, like your health, safety, or taking care of other children. Abortion procedures are safe and low-risk. Your provider will see how far you are in your pregnancy and give you your abortion options. Now that federal protection has been overturned, abortion access and laws vary by state. Be sure to look for the latest information about the laws where you live.
Comprehensive Sex Education Is Key
Unfortunately, many young people in the United States don't receive the tools they need to make informed sexual and reproductive health decisions. For example, only 43 percent of high schools and 18 percent of middle schools teach key topics for sexual health education.
Having medically accurate, evidence-based, and age-appropriate education that includes relevant information about healthy relationships, identity, sexuality, consent, and body image is necessary. For example, curricula that discuss ALL gender identities encourage learners to question existing norms. Students also adopt more open attitudes, which can result in better sexual and health outcomes.
Sex And Sexuality Free Of Coercion Or Violence
You have the right to decide about your own body, sexuality, and reproductive life without fear, coercion, violence, or discrimination.
Sexual coercion can make you think you owe someone sexual favors. Any unwanted sexual activity that happens when you are pressured, tricked, threatened, or forced by someone who has power over you should never happen. No one should pressure you into having sex, no matter what. Sex should always happen with your consent.
Regrettably, sexual violence affects millions of people each year in the United States, with over half of vulva owners and almost one-third of penis owners experiencing sexual violence involving physical contact during their lifetimes.
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. You can also get help by calling the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673). Also, consider talking to someone you trust about getting help and reporting the person to the local authorities.
Fight For Your Rights
You can express your sexuality and be treated respectfully, safely, and free from discrimination and violence. Access to valuable information, perspective, and resources can help you make sexual and reproductive choices that are best for you.
December is Human Rights Awareness Month. Sexual and Reproductive Rights play an integral role in our fundamental rights as Human Beings. So, don’t be afraid to advocate for these rights! Therefore, part of Lala's Bedtime Tales mission is to provide a safe space and judgment-free zone to educate yourself on sexual health & wellness. The Sexual Health & Wellness corner will have monthly articles dedicated to continuous education on living a positive and sexually healthy lifestyle. Subscribe to Lala's Bedtime Tales Newsletter and follow @LalasBedtimeTales on social media to never miss any sexual education to help you live the healthiest life possible. Also, check out Lala's Bedtime Tales Podcast and Lala's Oh So Exclusive Patreon account for even more content! If you’re browsing for sexy pleasure products or cute giftable items, then check out Lala’s Pleasure Shop.
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Please consult your healthcare provider before making any healthcare decisions and ask for guidance for specific health conditions. Please do not disregard the advice of your healthcare provider or delay seeking care for health care conditions.
