We need Planned Parenthood. Many American citizens rely on the reproductive health services the nonprofit organization offers.
Earlier this past week, I went to my local planned parenthood to discuss switching birth control methods. I've been taking a pill called Tarina FE for a little over a year now and I am fed up with the negative side effects I've been experiencing. The side effects include fatigue, increased depression, hostility and irritability. I talked with the nurse practitioner at PP, who recommended an IUD for me. I was and still am nervous about having one inserted, but after she explained the benefits, I was all in.
I will have the IUD inserted in three weeks and I look forward to it, despite the knowledge of the uncomfortable insertion process that lies ahead. However, the short-lived uncomfortable process is a hell of a lot better than the misery I've been going through with the pill for far too long now.
Not only has Planned Parenthood helped me, but it helped 2.5 million other people in the United States in 2015, according to PP's 2015-2016 annual report, which can be found on their website.
It is disheartening that the current administration and some American citizens want to defund an organization that helps so many of their fellow citizens who otherwise could not afford safe reproductive healthcare. These people are delusional if they think defunding Planned Parenthood will benefit this country. It will have the opposite effect as we would see an increase in sexually transmitted infections and many women would seek unsafe abortions or be forced to carry a child they don't want and can't raise, leading to more unwanted and abused children in the foster care system. Why can't these so-called "pro-life" AKA anti-choice people understand this factual and simple concept? Not your body, not your business.
In regards to abortion, only 3 percent of their services cover abortion. The remainder of their services cover reproductive health care such as birth control, STI testing, pap smears, breast exams and reproductive education. Planned Parenthood is vital in keeping people educated, healthy, and giving them the ability to take care of their own bodies.
It isn't anyone else's business but my own on what I decide to do with my body in terms of reproductive health care. I am nowhere near ready to have children. I am not mentally, emotionally or financially prepared for that lifetime responsibility. I am not even done with graduate school nor do I even own a house. How can some uppity, zealous pro-birth individual think I or anyone else who isn't ready could successfully raise another human when we can't and don't want to? It isn't their choice or decision.
I also want to point out the hypocrisy of "pro-life" people who think it's OK to threaten the lives of human beings who are pro-choice. During my visit, a police officer was at the office talking to one of the staff members; of course I don't know why he was there, but it's not hard to guess that he was there because there was a threat against Planned Parenthood. Again, I don't know if that was the case, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was.
We have to make sure that Planned Parenthood is protected from being defunded and shut down. If you're a supporter of this wonderful organization, consider donating to them or volunteer if you have the time.
We need Planned Parenthood and Planned Parenthood needs us.