Empowered Voices
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I Collected Stories Anonymously from College Students – Here’s What They Have to Say.
I was having health complications (depression, low sex drive, etc.) from the pill and my family’s health coverage under the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) allowed me to go to my OBGYN, learn about other options, and switch to another form of birth control that was covered under my insurance. – anonymous
Women should be able to explore their sexuality without anxiety around pregnancy and related health and financial concerns. Accessing birth control means I can take control of my life and focus on my personal and academic goals without having to worry about my health. – anonymous
I received an IUD that ended my 300 day long period! It basically saved my life!! – anonymous
I got the abortion pill from planned parenthood and i’m so grateful for the support I got from the staff. All of my questions were answered and I was able to feel safe and confident in my decision. I want to fight to make sure every girl gets the same choice as me and has a good experience. – anonymous
As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, when I received STI screening, my healthcare providers were extremely kind and non judgmental, which should be the norm but isn’t always the case. They answered all of my questions without hesitation and gave me helpful resources and feedback to ensure that I am safe and making smart choices. I hope that one day every member of the LGBTQ community feels comfortable to get the care they need without being judged. – anonymous
The summer after my freshman year of college, I got my routine bloodwork that I get each year. A week later, my doctor called me on the phone and told me I had tested positive for Chlamydia. I instantly started crying because I felt disgusted with myself. My doctor explained what it was, and how common it is. There is a stigma for all STD’s, and I had never learned actually how common it is. I decided to educate myself more on the topic once the call ended. My doctor sent me treatment for Chlamydia and it was easy. I took two pills a day for 7 days and was done. I got retested 6 weeks later at URI Health Services . Since then, I’ve been mindful of using protection. Without that easy access to treatment, the disease would have been sitting in me for too long. – anonymous
During my sophomore year of high school, I got an abortion at my local Planned Parenthood. As soon as I found out I was pregnant, I immediately sought help from the nearest and safest clinic I knew of. I was scared and overwhelmed, but I knew I needed to act quickly and responsibly. From the moment I walked in, the staff at Planned Parenthood were welcoming, nonjudgmental, and professional. They treated me with respect and care, which made a really difficult situation feel a little more manageable. They talked me through the entire process in a very straightforward and honest way. I never felt pressured or rushed — they made sure I understood all of my options and what each step would look like. Every part of the appointment was explained clearly, from the medical details to what I might feel emotionally or physically afterward. That level of transparency made me feel safe and supported at a time when I felt incredibly vulnerable. Looking back, I’m grateful I had access to a clinic where I felt heard, informed, and taken seriously. It wasn’t an easy experience, but having access to compassionate care made all the difference. I know not everyone has the same access or support, which is why I believe it’s so important to talk openly about reproductive health and the need for safe, accessible clinics like Planned Parenthood. – anonymous
Growing up as a woman of color from a lesser privileged area of RI, access to resources in general have been limited. Resources and education pertaining to woman’s health and sex education has been especially limited. I do not have the closest relationship with my mother and I only have brothers, so growing up I was struggling to find someone to turn to with all the questions that naturally come with puberty and maturing. In 7th grade, I began my period and I was completely unprepared. Unfortunately I did bleed through but my science teacher noticed, and she quickly and privately brought me to the nurses office. After her and the nurse realized how little I knew about female anatomy and physiology, they explained to me what was going on and that it was completely normal. They gave me all the resources I needed at this time to deal with menstruation, and even gave me the confidence I needed to bring it up and ask for assistance from my mom. Going into high school, I was interested in learning more about women’s health. I joined the club at my school for women of color and asked our advisor if she would consider hosting an event about sex education and access to birth control. She and the other members agreed that this would be beneficial. At this event we learned about safe sex, healthy relationships, and planned parenthood. This event was so enlightening and beneficial to both me and the other members. This event among others have been a major reason on why I am being a gender and women’s studies major here at URI, and why I am such an enthusiastic activist about healthcare and sex education. – anonymous
The summer going into my junior year of college I started taking birth control pills. I was experiencing super bad periods, with a heavy flow and overwhelming symptoms. Growing up I’ve always had a super close relationship with my mom, so it was such a simple process of having the conversation with her first about starting birth control after seeing a gynecologist. I went to my mom’s gynecologist and immediately started the pill, since then my symptoms have improved drastically. I am super grateful for the open relationship I have with my mom and the access I have to healthcare, specifically birth control. – anonymous
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