Educate
What does it mean to be informed when it comes to reproductive and sexual health? What are ways that you can educate yourself about your body and your options for sexual and reproductive health care?
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"Information truly is power. Pride is not an antidote to shame, but its fuel"
How Researching Ahead of Time Can Help You!
"Knowledge is your friend- doing some research before you go in, knowing what you want to ask for, having a plan- these things will ease your anxiety and make sure that your needs are being taken care of during your appointment"
"Being informed on my own [helps me] so I go into my appointments with background knowledge and am not entirely dependant on what the doctor/PA/or nurse says. I can ask questions that I've already prepared so I don't feel caught off guard"
"Doing research on my own helped me understand what all the tests and procedures were for while I was pregnant"
How do I research stuff? Where do I even start?
1. If you are going for a specific procedure or exam, look up what the standard procedure is and what is going to happen. Many websites will even talk you through what to expect and what it may feel like!
2. If you are looking for birth control, research what kinds of options there are, what some of thier side effects tend to be and how they are used/implemented. "It's important to do that research on your own or find a doctor who will engage in a real conversation about [all the birth control options available to you] so you can make the choice that's best for your health and lifestyle"
3. If you have specific symptoms or concerns that you are noticing, look those up and see if there is anything that resonates with you. Medical schools and academic institutions (such as Mayo Clinic) are often good sources to learn about possible conditions. Having an idea of your symptoms and possible concerns prepared can help you speak to a doctor about your concerns
4. You don't have to be sick or concerned about something to look into options or seek a medical opinion! Proactive treatments are important as well! Look up what are proactive measures to protect against specific concerns.
5. Make sure that you know the terms for your body parts and have words to describe your symptoms. Spend some time to get familiar with your own body and research the necessary terms to be able to communicate clearly about it.
6. An important thing to research is the logistical aspects of getting access to certain things. Look up what your insurance covers, call your clinic about the pricing of tests you are considering, check where the clinic is located and what you need to do in order to get there, ask people at your job (who might have the same insurance) or in your neighborhood for recommendations if you are comfortable
7. Researching doesn't always mean reading a book or googling something! Talk to family, friends, or trusted individuals like a school nurse or local health educator about possible concerns, questions, or experiences you may be having. Community is a crucial resource!
What are some resources to get me started? Where do I look?
You can always ask trusted family or friends about their experiences and what resources they find helpful as a good start. Another place to look can be asking your provider about resources that they recommend, grabbing pamphlets from your clinic or health office or checking out your local library for resources. However, just because a source is recommended or helpful for someone does not mean it will be helpful or make sense for you! Click through some of these excellent and verified resources to get you started:
Wide range of easy to understand videos for people of all ages and offered in over 60 different languages- click on the video to see an example and visit thier YouTube Page!
Offers a wide range of sexual and reproductive health information and tips- can also help you find care providers
Cornell's resource guide has a wide range of links and printable resources pertaining to a wide range of sexual health
Wealth of sexual health information (and more) geared towards young women (centered on vaginal based reproductive system)- all informaiton can be found in Spanish as well
Diverse range of information relating to sexual and reproductive health and sexuality- they also feature testimonials of various people's experiences navigating sexual healthcare
Planned Parenthood's blog goes over a wide range of questions asked by people- you can ask a question as well!
Planned Parenthood has a wealth of information on a wider range of reproductive and sexual health + sexuality for a wide age range
Planned Parenthood specifically has great explanations and videos on common diagnoses and what happens during exams and procedures
Click on the video to see an explanation of Wellness Exams
Queer sex education resource specifically geared towards young people- they also have a blog and live chat option where you can ask confidential questions
A variety of resource for the LGBTQ community that details sexual health and overall wellness
Sexual health information primary gear towards young men (centered on penis based reproductive system)
Resources like the National Health Services or Center for Disease Control can have a lot of great video resources, like the one above, as well!
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