Beyond safer sex

It was in the fourth grade when my female peers and I received the infamous “talk” from our school nurse.

In the midst of telling us about the birds and the bees, she informed us our bodies would soon undergo incredible changes — the most significant being our period.

At the time, my 10-year-old self couldn’t really comprehend much of what was going to happen to me, but I was excited, and clearly, so naive.

After that meeting, I waited impatiently for the day when I would officially become a woman, which arrived two years later.

In hindsight, though, it seems our school nurse had done little to prepare me for what exactly a period entailed — acne, bloating, cramps, mood swings and more.

My symptoms became so severe I dreaded the passing of each month because it meant I was that much closer to getting my period once again.

Olivia Heersink | Argonaut

With each passing year, my period seemed to get worse, and I began to wonder if this was something I would just have to continue to suffer through. I thought there had to be a better way to mitigate my menstrual pain.

At 16 years-old, I found my solution, a solution for many young women — birth control.

According to Planned Parenthood, birth control was first introduced in the early 1950s as a pill. The oral contraceptive works to prevent pregnancy before it occurs and is more effective than a condom.

Initially, the pill was used only for contraceptive purposes, but soon its other benefits were discovered as science improved and different methods were developed, such as the shot, implant, patch and intrauterine device (IUD).

The Center for Young Women’s Health reports women are often prescribed one of these methods to combat irregular or severe periods, menstrual cramps, acne and more because birth control better regulates the body’s hormone production.

Officials at the National Institute of Health show even state birth control can provide protection against ovarian cancer, pelvic inflammatory disease, anemia and toxic shock syndrome.

According to the Guttmacher Institute, the pill is the most common form used among women age 15 to 44, in the U.S., and roughly 14 percent of users rely solely on the oral contraceptive to alleviate period discomfort, including myself.

I was nervous about going on birth control at 16 because I worried what other people might think.

However, if it was going to help my pain, even in the slightest bit, it would be worth any negative comments or glances I might receive.

After going on the pill, I found my saving grace. It didn’t completely take away the discomfort, but it helped tremendously.

Now, at 21 years-old, I’ve tried several types of birth control, such as the pill, implant and the IUD, in order to find out which type works best for me — every body is different.

I no longer find myself worried to tell people I use birth control, but the conversation still isn’t an easy one because of the stigma associated with it.

Nevertheless, it doesn’t matter whether or not I am using it for its intended purpose or the other benefits it provides because, ultimately, my body, my choice. I won’t be shamed for taking my reproductive health into my own hands — no woman should.

Olivia Heersink can be reached at [email protected]