"Yesterday, I had the unfortunate experience of going to the ER for a viral infection compounded by an asthma attack. All sympathies aside, I sat there wheezing for two hours before being treated, and then spent an hour with massive amounts of Albuterol being poured into my lungs, along with Vicodin, a very intense tranquilizer. During this time the emergency room doctor looked through my past prescriptions and asked if I took any birth control. I said no, I use condoms and common sense. I tried to explain in my little voice that I used the pill for years, and I did not like it, and so I quit. This older male doctor could not understand that."
The doctor then proceeded to list off stats:
- 10 in 100 women who use the pill alone will get pregnant,
- 15 in 100 women who use condoms will get pregnant,
- and 1 in 100 women who use both will get pregnant.
"I suppose since he’s a doctor I was just supposed to accept his stats and recommendations, and do what he said. Now, a day later and with fewer drugs in my body, I realize this type of top down sexual education didn’t empower me to make my own decisions nor recognize the fact that I have never had a pregnancy scare in the years since I first became sexually active. Lecturing me about spermicidal foams and condoms breaking while I was floating on Vicodin and other stimulants was not really the time or place. It felt like he was telling me to do what he would do, rather than listening to who I am and what I do to stay safe. I checked out of the conversation, and I know that I will do the same in the future if another old man tells me which drugs I should put in my body to control my fertility. I can’t blame him too much; doctors are not trained on health education, they are trained to focus on the patients that walk into their doors, after a situation has occurred. This doctor wanted to impart some medically accurate advice onto me, and while I can appreciate the sentiment, the action itself was poor. Health education should empower young people so that they can make their own informed decisions on their own, rather than having someone else dictate their actions. Because in the end, the individual must decide for him/herself what is best. Someone cannot stand over you constantly and tell you what to do--you have to make responsible decisions for yourself. I’ve known that for a long time, and I didn’t need a scare tactic.”