Fertility Clock Headlines, Fertility Headlines

The History of Birth Control: How We’ve Been Trying To Prevent Babies Since The Beginning of Time

Birth control: two words that hold plenty of controversy, heated emotions, and in many cases, consequences that can change one’s life. In the modern world, contraception has somehow garnered a bad reputation, considered by some an unnatural way to toy with pregnancy and bearing children — particularly among certain religious groups.

Fertility Clock Headlines, Fertility Headlines

Some Respect Wanted for Women

Fifty years ago this week, the nation celebrated a Supreme Court decision that has since had a profound impact on women’s autonomy in this country. The landmark case, Griswold v. Connecticut, legalized birth control (for married people, at least) and paved the way for all women to have control of the single most important health and financial decision she makes in her lifetime—whether and when to become pregnant.

Fertility Clock Headlines, Fertility Headlines

The Promise of Extending IUD Access to All Women Pacific Standard

Half of all pregnancies in the United States are unintended. What would happen to this number if most American women had access to a form of birth control that was over 99 percent effective? From 2007-11, researchers at Washington University in St. Louis embarked on a groundbreaking study, the Contraceptive CHOICE project. The study’s goal was to examine what would happen to unintended pregnancy rates in the St. Louis area if clinical providers educated women about all of their birth control options, and offered such options for free.

Fertility Clock Headlines, Fertility Headlines

A Brief History of Contraception

In the March issue of The Atlantic, Olga Khazan investigates the future of birth control, from remote-controlled implants to a pill for men. The use of contraceptives dates all the way back to 1850 B.C., when women in ancient Egypt used honey, acacia leaves, and lint to block sperm. This two-minute animation traces the history of contraception through the centuries, from sea sponges (500 B.C.), linen sheath condoms (1564), lemon cervical caps (1700), and the “rhythm method” (1920) to modern advancements such as vaginal rings, hormone injections, IUDs, and patches.

Fertility Clock Headlines, Fertility Headlines

Obama Administration Is Quietly Racking Up Court Victories for Birth Control Despite Hobby Lobby

On Wednesday, a panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit upheld federal rules intended to ensure access to birth control, over a claim that employers who object to following those rules on religious groups should be exempt from them. With that, the Third Circuit became the fourth federal appeals court to reach a similar conclusion in a challenge brought by an employer who objects to some or all forms of birth control, despite concerns that the Supreme Court’s decision in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby would impede access to contraceptive care.