At the young age of 14, I began a grueling journey that no young woman should have to endure. I was suffering from endometriosis, a condition that plunged me into periods of intense pain, as if rusty knives that were on fire were being driven into my lower abdomen, so much so that I wanted to throw up. By April 2021, my struggle was identified as bowel endometriosis or stage IV endometriosis or severe endometriosis.

Birth control became my lifeline. It wasn't a choice or a preference; it was a necessity. Going without it resulted in such heavy bleeding it looked as though I was peeing blood and the emergence of Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), wreaking havoc on my work and personal life. Like so many other women in the U.S., for me, birth control is not about prevention and should NOT be a political debate! It is about surviving and managing debilitating medical conditions that impact every facet of life.

Birth control provides vital medical relief for millions of women dealing with conditions such as PMDD, Endometriosis, Adenomyosis, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), and other non-pregnancy issues. According to the CDC, nearly 11% of women, approximately 10.8 million, in the U.S. suffer from endometriosis alone, many of whom rely on birth control for relief and management of their symptoms.

Unfortunately, access to birth control for these medically necessary reasons is often limited or scrutinized, denying women the care they desperately need. It is imperative that policymakers and healthcare providers recognize birth control as an essential form of healthcare.

We must urge legislators and healthcare providers to ensure that birth control is accessible to all women who need it for medical reasons. This includes mandating insurance coverage regardless of political pressures and improving education about the non-contraceptive benefits of birth control.

Join me in advocating for women across America who are battling these often invisible yet life-altering conditions. Sign this petition to demand expanded access to birth control for those who need it not for choice, but for health and well-being. Your signature can make a vivid difference in our lives.