Wrap Your Junk

Talking about STDs is hard. It's an embarrassing topic that many people just don't know much about, so having a productive conversation about STD safety can be tough. Take a few pointers from the creator of the Sex+ YouTube channel, Laci Green.

Laci lists several ways to start a conversation with your partner about using protection and getting tested for STDs. Starters like, "One thing that's really, really important to me is my sexual health and I get tested every few months. I was wondering if you would get tested before we go any further," can be a good way to break the ice in talking about your sexual history. This is a great way to emphasize that it's about both of your health, and not that you think something is wrong with them. 

If your partner does not like using condoms, do NOT feel pressured to continue with out one! Pressuring someone into unsafe sex is not acceptable. There are SO MANY kinds of condoms out there, you can certainly find a brand and size that work for you. There are lots of ways to start a conversation about using protection too, so have open dialogue about what you both like and have a plan before things heat up.

 

Women's Health Day is Everyday.

Yes, women's health day should be everyday, but yesterday at the Oklahoma State Capitol, a large coalition of groups gathered to celebrate and share information about the importance of women's health issues. The event was sponsored by Planned Parenthood of Central Oklahoma and the ACLU in coordination with many other women's health care groups in the state. There was a great turnout and I was able to leave with my hands full of useful information on women's mental health, sexual health, pregnancy and reproduction, and health care for low income women. I was even able to get my blood pressure and blood sugar tested by health care professionals at the event!

While walking away from the capitol armed with great information was empowering, it was even more empowering to hear Senator Connie Johnson address the crowd. Sen. Johnson is a true advocate for women's health. She shared important statistics, like how OK ranks really low in women's health care and how OK incarcerates more women than any other state. She also recognized the need to be vigilant about reproductive health care and birth control access in our state. It was comforting for me to hear an OK senator sharing my values, because I know so many legislators ignore the importance of women's health or blatantly fight against securing affordable and accessible health care for women.

Sen. Johnson noted how it was great to see the 4th floor rotunda filled with so many people working for women's health. But next year, she hopes to see more. Could you commit to getting involved?

Educate yourself and share your knowledge with your legislators. It's an important step for securing affordable and accessible health care for women in Oklahoma. Do your part! Visit www.ppcok.org or www.aclu.org for information and more ways to get involved.

Breast Health

I know many of you have received this information in emails and from others, but it is always a good reminder! Keep clicking...

A favor to ask, it only takes a minute, click for free mammograms. You can sign up at the website to be reminded daily to click! Please pass this message on to your friends.

The Breast Cancer site is having trouble getting enough people to click on their site daily to meet their quota of donating at least one free mammogram a day to an underprivileged woman. It takes less than a minute to go to their site and click on 'donating a mammogram'. It does not cost you anything to help, other than a minute of your time.

Again, please pass it along to people you know, www.thebreastcancersite.com

Oklahoma Flunks on Women's Health

On a report recently released by the National Women's Law Center, Oklahoma didn't fare too well. In fact, we received an F and rank 48th in the nation. These are not good statistics, certainly nothing to be proud of. Unfortunately, we are part of a trend. The study found that women's health in the U.S. is deteriorating all around.

For more detailed information you can view the report for Oklahoma here.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Wearing the pink ribbon probably isn't enough. It might be a start, but there are other things that women can do to show their commitment to women's breast health. A report from the American Cancer Society has found that the breast cancer death rate in the U.S. continues to drop by more than 2 percent a year. This is good news, however, a survey by the National Breast Cancer Coalition found that "misinformation abounds" when it comes to key facts about breast cancer.

So in addition to your pink ribbon (and pink Kitchen aid appliances, and pink boxes of mac and cheese, etc...) try being a wealth of information about breast cancer by studying up at these sites:

American Cancer Society

Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

National Cancer Institute

The Breast Cancer Site - Where you can "Click to Give"

Then you can share you knowledge with others and maybe even consider volunteering at the American Cancer Society, or any other local cancer non-profit organization. Do something important this October, do it for women's health!