Ibis Reproductive Health

As we say farewell to 2024 and look ahead to the new year, please support Ibis and our work toward an inclusive and just world where everyone has the power to exercise their human right to live a pleasurable, safe, and healthy sexual and reproductive life. #IbisDrivesChange ➡️ bit.ly/SupportIbis

Thank you to our partners, colleagues, and supporters who helped Ibis to drive change in 2024. We're grateful to be in partnership with you. #IbisDrivesChange ➡️ bit.ly/Ibis2024

We are so grateful to The David and Lucile Packard Foundation for their support of our work to #FreeThePill! Check out this story of how our coalition of reproductive justice advocates, youth activists, researchers, providers, and others worked together to bring the first-ever birth control pill, Opill, over the counter earlier this year!

This year, Ibis leveraged our deep, collaborative partnerships with reproductive justice advocates, service providers, and policymakers to take concrete steps toward advancing reproductive access across the globe. From bringing evidence-based sexual and reproductive health resources to young people, to celebrating the first-ever birth control pill on shelves across the United States, we made key progress in improving access to sexual and reproductive health services through technology and bold approaches, centering communities, and removing barriers to care. As 2024 comes to a close, we celebrate the momentous progress we have made, while preparing for an uncertain future with grave threats to sexual and reproductive health care access. Ibis’s pioneering research, dedication to scientific integrity, and commitment to building power have already advanced sexual and reproductive autonomy, choices, and health worldwide, and will continue to guide our work going forward. Our accomplishments to-date have equipped us to conduct research that is responsive to the needs of communities, uplifts their expertise, and increases access to care—no matter what the future holds. Learn more about our 2024 accomplishments here: https://lnkd.in/gGmgCFC6 #IbisDrivesChange

Over-the-counter (OTC) access to birth control pills is a groundbreaking advancement in sexual and reproductive health care, and—while it comes after 60+ years of proven safety and effectiveness—it is an especially important option in the midst of increasing threats to sexual and reproductive rights in the United States. This recent The New Yorker article highlights the instrumental role that the Free the Pill coalition--operated by Ibis--played in bringing the first-ever birth control pill OTC, and the stark importance of this advancement in the current moment. Read the article here: https://lnkd.in/gHraRmrE

Transgender and gender diverse individuals assigned female or intersex at birth experience pregnancies, including unintended and undesired pregnancies, yet research is limited on contraceptive use for pregnancy prevention in these populations. In partnership with #ThePRIDEStudy, Ibis researchers surveyed transgender and gender diverse people assigned female or intersex at birth about their history of using contraception and testosterone, as well as their reasons for using contraception. Data showed that most participants have used at least one method of contraception, and almost half for pregnancy prevention specifically. Few respondents relied on testosterone as birth control, despite a lack of efficacy evidence. Of note, the most used methods of contraception were those that require non-invasive and/or minimal health care system interaction (such as condoms, abstinence, and "pulling out"/withdrawal) and grant personal autonomy. The most common reason reported for NOT using birth control (not related to pregnancy) was avoiding feminizing hormones due to concerns about their impact on gender affirmation process. These study findings indicate that clinicians and providers should not assume preferences for certain forms of contraception based on gender identity, and should engage in patient-centered counseling to provide high-quality contraceptive care to people of all genders. The sexual and reproductive health needs and experiences of trans and gender diverse communities are often left out or overlooked in research, and many folks say their provider didn't know how to counsel them on birth control options. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/ggEBn8RU

Over the last three decades, the receipt of formal sexuality education among adolescents in the United States has declined. Further, racial and geographic inequities in sexuality education remain, with Black women and girls more likely to receive abstinence-only-until-marriage instruction than their peers of other racial and gender identities. In partnership with SisterSong through the #TrustBlackWomen study, researchers held focus group discussions with 49 Black women in Georgia and North Carolina. They observed both the inadequacy of sexuality education and the desire for accessible, high-quality information that addresses autonomy, pleasure, and consent. These findings highlight the need for investment in comprehensive sexuality education nationwide to effectively address structural barriers to accessing sexuality and relationship information and skills. Read the full study here: https://lnkd.in/gfcjYwbS

As we face uncertain and challenging times ahead, we need your partnership this #GivingTuesday to continue our vital work. Your contributions will help us: ✅ Expand the reach of innovative ways to help people get the abortion care they need safely throughout pregnancy ✅ Ensure people can afford and access OTC birth control pills—an essential access point in the face of threats to contraceptive care ✅ Document the experiences of the people most impacted by abortion bans and restrictions, generating evidence to protect access to care Please donate today to support our impact in driving change in pursuit of a future where every person can access the sexual and reproductive health information and care they want and need! #IbisDrivesChange ➡️ bit.ly/SupportIbis

Concerned about escalating attacks on abortion access, increasing threats of surveillance, and growing censorship of abortion information? #EukiApp protects your privacy—including your sensitive health data—through features like: 🗑️ Data deletion 🔢 PIN protection 🐱👤 Anonymous browsing ⛔ And most importantly: No data collection! When it comes to your digital footprint, less is more. Learn more about Euki's new Care Navigator tool to safely and securely search for abortion care and support options here: https://lnkd.in/gudsZhQv

Over the counter access to birth control pills is a game changer, but OTC access is not a replacement for insurance coverage. Nobody should have to pay out-of-pocket to access birth control, whether they get it OTC or with a prescription--and thanks to state-level advocacy, 10 states already have laws that require insurance companies to cover OTC contraception without a prescription requirement. But how can those laws be implemented to ensure consumers actually get their birth control covered right at the retail or pharmacy counter? Free the Pill's OTC Coverage Collaborative is a group of experts with substantial experience in developing and implementing policies on OTC birth control coverage. Their new report, "Free the Pill and Cover it Too: Strategies for Making OTC Birth Control Coverage Work in the Real World" includes detailed recommendations for advocates, policymakers, retailers, pharmacists, insurers, and Pharmacy Benefit Managers in implementing coverage of OTC birth control products. The report also includes a checklist for state advocates in how to successfully implement and operationalize insurance coverage at the state level. Check it out: https://ow.ly/PUpm50UcVIg