I believe that all women should be granted the full rights to their bodies.

In the minds of many this statement is overall well perceived. If a woman wants to dye her hair, fine. If a woman wants to challenge herself to run a marathon, and push her body to the limits, fine. But if she wants to independently come to the decision to go on birth control... then that causes a problem in some peoples minds.

To each their own, true! I'm not asking you to change your personal stance on personal issues. All I'm asking for is some healthy conversation. Hopefully through engaging conversation understanding can be reached regardless of our own individual views on women's rights to their own bodies, and the rights women have to birth control.

Something I believe is extremely important when birth control becomes a possibility in a woman's personal health care is the reason why she has made this decision for herself.

For some it's true that there's a boyfriend, and the pressure for sex is becoming stronger, and it seems the most adult choice is to be safe about it and go on birth control.

For some it's because when their time of the month comes around they actually can't function. The nausea and cramps are so overwhelming the first few days it seems that all she can to do is stay home and lay on the cold floor.

For some it's because of acne.

For some it's because she would rather come to this decision for herself rather than for a man in the future.

I chose the latter for the reason why I made this personal decision, and it's one I don't regret.

I know this isn't a viewpoint that everyone understands, and it's this misunderstanding that I'm here to address.

While I was in school I had to stop into the health office to get a refill on my prescription, and when asked when I had my last shot done there wasn't any record of it to be found. In other words, since there was no record of it, I had to take a pregnancy test to prove that I wasn't pregnant. (Fair, I didn't have a problem with this.) But I assured them that there was absolutely no possibility of that I could be pregnant, because I am not in a relationship where that would could be a possibility.

At that point the nurse looked at me shocked... "Then why are you on birth control?" Which carried the undertone of "Why would you be on birth control if you're not sexually active?"

I couldn't believe that the nurse on my college campus would ask me this question!? Aren't I allowed to do what I want with my own body? Whether that's medications, tattoos, clothing, or piercings. To me these are all choices to be made by the woman, but I also have to acknowledge that this view point isn't for everyone.

The important take away that I want everyone to walk away with from this reading is that women have different reasons for making the decision to go on birth control, and it's not always about sex! (What?! :0) But can actually be a way more independently made decision.

I ask you. Is it more independent and empowering for a woman to come to this big decision by herself, or to feel pressured into it by a current relationship, and feel as if she's making this important decision not for herself but for someone else?