It is no secret that antidepressants can cause weight gain, which is one reason people want to avoid them. A recent study highlighted exactly which antidepressants are more likely than others to increase body weight. Researchers examined the electronic health records of more than 183,000 people (aged 18 to 80) in the United States taking antidepressants for the first time. The team tracked overall weight for 24 months. 

Researchers compared various drugs to Zoloft, the most readily prescribed antidepressant among study participants. After six months, Zoloft users gained half a pound, and people taking Prozac experienced similar weight gain. Those prescribed Cymbalta, Paxil, and Celexa gained a little more on average. Lexapro users experienced the most weight gain of 1.4 pounds at the six-month mark. That number increased to 3.6 pounds after 24 months. Although people taking Wellbutrin did not experience weight gain at six months, they did gain a pound after 24 months. 

Researchers suggest that people who experience unwanted weight gain as a side effect of taking antidepressant are less likely to continue taking medication. That is why study authors wanted to compare weight gain across first-line antidepressants. Understanding this may help inform clinicians to make the best decisions for the overall health of their patients. 

Why Is Weight Gain A Common Side Effect?

The exact mechanism for weight gain is not fully understood, and it wasn’t explored in the study. Some researchers suspect a few reasons as to why antidepressants may cause some people to gain weight. Health experts believe that it has to do with an increase in serotonin, the chemical that plays a role in overall mood. 

Lexapro, Prozac, Paxil, and Celexa all raise serotonin levels. Similarly histamine receptors, such as tricyclic antidepressants, raise serotonin levels. Increasing serotonin can enhance a person’s appetite and cravings for carbohydrate-rich foods. Additionally, some research suggests that certain antidepressants can change metabolism by slowing metabolic rate. They may also influence insulin, make people sluggish and lazy, and promote fat storage. 

It is possible for some people to lose weight once they get off antidepressants, but that isn’t feasible for everyone. Some changes that result from taking antidepressants take a long time to wear off, for example, metabolic changes. The extent of weight loss after you discontinue antidepressants can vary depending on medication use, metabolic changes, and overall lifestyle. 

Balancing Weight Gain With Other Factors

According to health experts, weight gain is a factor to consider when deciding on an antidepressant. Not only can weight gain increase feelings of depression, but it can also exacerbate underlying medical conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or hypertension. Someone who is depressed may also feel overwhelmed by having to manage weight, in addition to their mental health. For this reason, clinicians need to be careful about addressing these concerns prior to prescribing antidepressants. 

Each class of antidepressants works differently, so medical professionals should consider a person’s symptoms and medical history. People with a history of seizures, eating disorders, or those who abruptly quit alcohol or sedatives should not take Wellbutrin. The reason for that is because it can increase the risk of seizures and cause other symptoms, including anxiety, insomnia, and risk of hypertension.

The good news is that antidepressants aren’t necessary for everyone. There are various actions a person can take to reduce symptoms of depression, with therapy being a great one. The main thing that mental health experts want is for people to take action. If you are struggling with depression, do not avoid mental health treatment options, especially if the fear is weight gain. There are many methods to treat depression, and medication isn’t always the answer. Additionally, it may not be the answer for you. Do your research and talk to your healthcare professionals to see what the right option is for you if you have depression.

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The body was made to move! In this day and age, though, being sedentary is all too common. Not only does a sedentary lifestyle reduce mobility and increase stiffness, but it also raises the risk of many chronic health conditions, including heart disease. Staying active is one of the best and easiest ways to boost heart health, as it has direct and indirect effects. 

Heart disease is a type of cardiovascular disease that includes various conditions that affect the heart’s muscle, blood vessels, valves, or function. There are many factors that contribute to its development, with physical inactivity topping the charts next to an unhealthy diet. If you are not physically active, you cannot strengthen the heart’s muscle, which pumps blood throughout the body. Being active does more than improve heart function, as is detailed in the list below:

• Reduced inflammation
• Balanced cholesterol levels
• Improved circulation
• Weight management
• Vascular strengthening
• Blood sugar regulation
• Lowered blood pressure

Do you want to reduce your risk of heart disease or improve overall heart health? If yes, this guide can help you learn more about exercising for a healthy heart. 

Which Exercises Benefit The Heart?

Is it a cliché to say all of them? Movement is better than no movement, but the best exercises for your heart depend on your level of health and fitness. It’s always a good idea to start slow and increase the intensity as you assess your fitness level. Regular moderate- and vigorous-intensity exercises target cardio-respiratory performance the most. 

Most moderate- and vigorous-intensity exercises are aerobic, increasing your heart rate and activating the body’s largest muscles. These are the muscles in your legs and arms. Regarding the intensity, moderately intense workouts should be at a five or six on a scale of 10. You will notice that your heart rate elevates and your breathing is heavier, but these exercises still allow you to communicate without feeling out of breath. Great examples of moderately intense exercises include:

• Water aerobics
• Slow jogging
• Brisk walking 
• Hiking on easier trails
• Recreational bicycling

Vigorously-intense exercises are more challenging and you may be out of breath after engaging in them. You may only be able to utter one or two words before you have to catch your breath. Vigorous exercises are at about a seven or eight on the scale to 10, and great examples include:

• Hockey
• Basketball
• Jumping rope
• Running or sprinting
• Swimming laps
• Tennis

How Much Exercise Does Your Heart Require Each Week?

The American Heart Association recommends adults to get the amounts of physical activity: 

• 150 minutes of moderately-intense aerobic activity per week, or
• 75 minutes of vigorously-intense aerobic activity per week, or
• A combination of both every week

Ideally, you combine these recommendations with strength training at least twice per week. The overall goal for physical activity per week should be 300 minutes. Regular movement throughout the day is great for children under five. Kids between six and 17 years of age should get an hour of moderate to vigorous intensity activity per day. Bone and strength training activities are also beneficial for children. Your healthcare professional can go over these guidelines with you and provide recommendations based on your age, fitness level, and overall health. An exercise program for someone recovering from a cardiac event will look different than a program for a healthy individual who exercises regularly. 

Hitting A Target Heart Rate

If you have ever been on a treadmill or exercise bike at the gym, you know that it asks you to put your hands on the handles to obtain your heart rate. Most exercises that we listed in the moderate and vigorous intensity exercise lists can easily meet targeted heart rates, depending on how much you push yourself. 

Calculating your target heart rate can help you track the intensity of your workouts. This can help you meet your exercise goals and inform you if you need to increase the difficulty or intensity of the workout, especially if your fitness level improves. The target heart rate is a percentage of your maximum heart rate, which you can estimate by subtracting your age from 220. The number you get is your maximum beats per minute. 

• Moderate intensity exercise: Your target heart rate is somewhere between 50% and 70% of your maximum heart rate.
• Vigorous intensity exercise: Your target heart rate is between 70% and 85% of your maximum heart rate. 

During exercise, make sure not to exceed your maximum heart rate because that can put unnecessary strain on the heart. It can also damage blood vessels, and even have adverse cardiac effects. Keep these tips in mind as you exercise for a healthier heart, and do further research so that you can find an exercise program that best fits your needs.

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It’s no secret that new weight loss drugs are highly sought after in the United States. The reason for that is because they are highly effective, so long as you continue using them. Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, Mounjaro, and other similar medications work by recreating the effects of GLP-1, a hormone that the gut produces once you finish eating. This hormone reduces both hunger and cravings, helping you to eat less, which promotes weight loss. 

What happens when you stop taking these medications, though? Recent research suggests that you can regain weight once you stop taking them. Health experts have started to refer to this weight gain as “Mounjaro plateau” or “Ozempic rebound.”

Why Do People Stop Using These Medications?

People stop taking these medications for numerous reasons, with a common one being the high cost, which is especially true for people without health insurance. Even if you have health insurance, many providers don’t offer coverage for these drugs. There is a huge demand, supply issues, and many unwanted side effects that come from using these medications. In fact, clinical trials found that up to 10% of users stop using these medications because of side effects, including nausea and disruptive bowel movements. 

It’s possible that the number of people who stop using these medications is higher than that 10% figure. Patients may have less aftercare, support, and accountability than they do in clinical trials. That means there is most likely a higher percentage of people who experience unwanted side effects, which could be easily managed. Doctors also state that people stop using these medications once they meet their goal weight. 

Why Do You Gain Weight Post-Medication?

Ozempic, and other related drugs, were originally intended to help people with type 2 diabetes manage blood sugar levels. During clinical trials, researchers observed weight loss to be a surprising side effect. That got them thinking, so they started to prescribe these medications for weight loss (an off-label purpose). 

In present day, many people with high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, or fatty liver disease, have been struggling to lose weight for 20 to 30 years. Drugs like Ozempic or Wegovy help people lose weight by temporarily altering hunger mechanisms. Basically, they provide a synthetic form of GLP-1, which is the hormone that helps you feel satiated and less hungry. At the same time, these drugs also promote an increase in insulin response to food, which works to regulate blood sugar. They also reduce the release of glucagon, a hormone that opposes insulin and tends to increase blood glucose levels. 

When you stop taking these medications, the body naturally produces more ghrelin, the hunger hormone. Once off the medications, the body’s metabolic rate slows down. The combination of a slower metabolic rate and a rapid onset of hunger causes weight gain, especially if there is no modification in lifestyle or diet. 

How Common Is Weight Gain After Stopping Ozempic?

If you use Ozempic to lose weight, the last thing you want is to see the weight return once you stop taking the drug. As it turns out, it is very common for a person to gain weight after quitting Ozempic or similar medication. One study found that people who stopped taking semaglutide (the active ingredient in Ozempic) and quit lifestyle interventions gained two-thirds of their weight back within a year. Another study monitored people who stopped taking tirzepatide, the active ingredient in Zepbound and Mounjaro. Within one year of quitting the drug, they gained more than half the weight they’d lost while on the drug. 

The Takeaway

Before you take any GLP-1 agonist (such as Ozempic), consult your healthcare professional and make sure you understand the risks. Are you using the drug for short-term or long-term results? If you decide to take Ozempic, make sure you understand what will happen once you stop. Your healthcare professional may be able to provide guidance, nutritional advice, and an exercise regimen to help stave off the weight you lost while on the drug.

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As of now, the general treatment for hypothyroidism is taking a daily thyroid hormone replacement medication. Naturally, medications invite a long list of side effects, some of which do or don’t affect people. Forgetting to take the thyroid medication, however, can lead to other unwanted symptoms. 

If thyroid medication causes side effects, you may want to experiment with natural remedies. Some of these remedies may cause fewer side effects and better suit your overall lifestyle. That  said, they may not be able to replace a thyroid medication, so consider talking with your healthcare professional about the natural remedies in this article. 

Natural Remedies

The primary reason to experiment with natural remedies is to see if they address the root cause of the problem. Thyroid problems typically start because of the following reasons: 

• Stress
• Poor diet
• Lacking nutrients in the body

If you change your diet and start taking certain supplements, you may benefit your thyroid health. Those options tend to have fewer side effects than taking a thyroid medication. Additionally, taking an herbal supplement to address an under-active thyroid may be an alternative option if you do not respond positively to medications. That said, if you have Hashimoto’s disease, the most common cause of hypothyroidism in the U.S., alternative remedies may not be effective. If you want to experiment with natural remedies, consider adding the following to your treatment plan. 

Consider Some B Vitamins

As you will learn in this article, there are certain vitamins and minerals that positively affect the thyroid. Low thyroid hormones can affect the body’s B-12 levels, so taking a B-12 supplement may help repair some of the damage done by hypothyroidism. Additionally, taking a vitamin B-12 supplement may counteract the tiredness that is common with hypothyroidism, which can also affect B-1 levels. Consider eating more peas, asparagus, beans, sesame seeds, wild caught tuna, and eggs if you want to add more B vitamins to your diet. 

Adopt A Gluten-Free Diet

Many people with hypothyroidism tend to maintain a gluten-free diet because a significant number of them also have celiac disease. If you have celiac disease, gluten triggers an immune response in the small intestine. As of now, research does not support a gluten-free diet as a viable treatment option for hypothyroidism. That said, many people with Hashimoto’s disease tend to feel better after adopting a gluten-free diet. More research is necessary about the relationship with gluten and hypothyroidism. 

Take Selenium

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that selenium is a trace element that plays a part in thyroid hormone metabolism. In Hashimoto’s disease, the immune system attacks the thyroid and typically reduces the amount of selenium in the body. Researchers note that supplementing with selenium may help balance thyroxine (T4) levels in some people. If you decide to take a selenium supplement, consult your healthcare professional because every person requires a different amount. If you want to eat more selenium, focus on flaxseeds, chia seeds, broccoli, cabbage, lima beans, Brazil nuts, spinach, sunflower seeds, and brown rice. 

Sugar-Free Diet

Although people with hypothyroidism may be sensitive or allergic to gluten, they are not necessarily allergic to sugar. Upon eating sugary or processed foods, you can develop higher inflammatory markers in the body. Inflammation slows the conversion of T4 into triiodothyronine (T3), which is another thyroid hormone. If this conversion is slow, then you may experience worse symptoms. Sugar only leads to bursts of short-term energy, so eliminating it from your diet may regulate energy levels. Removing sugar from your diet may also help regulate stress levels, which can impact thyroid function. 

Add More Probiotics To Your Diet

One NIH study found a link between hypothyroidism and problems in the small intestine. Study authors noted that altered gastrointestinal motility that was common with hypothyroidism caused small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. That ultimately leads to chronic digestive symptoms, such as diarrhea. Researchers suggest that probiotics promote the growth of healthy bacteria in the stomach and intestines. Although there are probiotic supplements available, many dietary sources offer beneficial probiotic strains. Fermented vegetables, kombucha, miso, natto, kefir, and some yogurt are useful probiotic foods.

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Ear pain, medically known as otalgia, results from myriad reasons. It can develop because of a problem that directly affects the ear, or it happens in conjunction with another issue. This is what medical experts call “referred pain.” Ear pain can be minor or severe, and occasionally a sign of infection or underlying health issue. 

Health experts recommend that you never ignore ear pain. Figuring out the cause can help you address it with the appropriate treatment. The sooner you treat your ear pain, the sooner that dull or sharp burning sensation in one or both ears can go away. Read on to learn about seven common causes of ear pain.

Sinus Infection

A sinus infection occurs when the sinuses, which are air-filled pockets located behind the forehead and eyebrows, become inflamed. Bacteria can cause sinuses to become inflamed, but so can viruses and fungi. Fluid accumulation in the sinuses is the most common symptom of a sinus infection. This inflammation can block or inflame the Eustachian tube, which can lead to ear pain. Sinus infection may also cause headache, facial pain, runny nose, and congestion.

Ear Infection

Ear infections are most common among children, but anyone at any age can experience them. In children, the Eustachian tube clogs easily, but it should drain fluid made in the middle ear. If blockages occur, fluid builds up and a bacterial or viral infection in the middle ear can develop. Besides general ear pain, ear infection can cause congestion, ear drainage, fever, and other symptoms. Although mild ear infections tend to clear up on their own with home remedies, certain infections require antibiotic treatment. 

Wax Buildup

Believe it or not, the body produces earwax to help keep the ears clean and protected from debris. Too much earwax can lead to buildup that partially or fully blocks the ear canal, which can cause ear pain. In most cases, you can resolve wax buildup at home or with expert-backed methods to flush out excess wax. If you have too much wax or you have difficulty removing it on your own, consult your healthcare provider for more help.

The Common Cold

The common cold can affect the way the Eustachian tube functions. This tube links the back of the nose to the middle ear and it protects, ventilates, and drains the middle ear. If something prevents this tube from doing its job, that is classified as Eustachian tube dysfunction. This typically happens when the tube’s lining becomes inflamed, which can result from the common cold. Besides ear pain that results from a cold, Eustachian tube dysfunction can make your ear feel full, causing you to not hear as well or hear popping sounds.

Allergies

Exposure to dust, pollen, mold, or other allergens can irritate the sinuses, which causes sneezing, runny nose, or itchy eyes. In some cases, fluid may build up in the sinuses and cause inflammation of the Eustachian tube. As you know by now, swelling of the Eustachian tube can lead to ear pressure and general ear pain.

Swimmer’s Ear

Despite the name, this condition doesn’t always result from swimming or water activities. It refers to an infection, irritation, or inflammation of the outer ear and ear canal. More often than not, it’s caused by bacteria from unclean water that gets into the ear. Swimmer’s ear can cause discharge to leak from the ear, but it also can cause ear pain, itchiness, and swelling. Because the infection can spread to other parts of the ear and worsen, contact a healthcare provider to examine this issue as soon as possible. 

Air Pressure Changes

If you drive in mountainous areas, dive underwater, or fly in a plane, you know that your ears pop. Pressure inside the ear is different from the pressure outside, so the ear has to adjust, but it doesn’t always pop the way you’d hope. This is why many people recommend yawning, chewing gum, or swallowing to stabilize the pressure and resolve the pain. If these things do not resolve the issue for several hours, you may need to see a healthcare provider, especially if you develop a fever, ear drainage, or severe ear pain. Untreated cases of ear barotrauma can damage the eardrum and cause hearing loss.

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Boric acid suppositories may be the cost-effective alternative treatment method you need to remedy vaginal infections, including bacterial vaginosis or yeast infections. They can be prescribed by your healthcare provider as an alternative to traditional antibiotics, especially if that method doesn’t yield results. Boric acid suppositories are also available over-the-counter. This article discusses what boric acid suppositories are, what they may be able to treat, and the benefits and risks associated with them.

What Is Boric Acid?

Boric acid is a water-soluble compound that contains oxygen, boron, and hydrogen. It is a white substance that comes in crystal or powder form. According to research, boric acid exhibits anti-fungal and antibacterial properties. Diluted boric acid solutions may be used to treat skin insect bites, athlete’s foot, foot odor, diaper rash, and yeast infections. Boric acid suppositories work to promote proper acid balance in the vagina. It may relieve symptoms like itching and burning. 

Benefits Of Boric Acid Suppositories

As previously mentioned, boric acid exhibits anti-fungal and antibacterial properties. Research indicates that when used appropriately, boric acid suppositories may reduce the risk of recurrent vaginal infections. At times, they may work more effectively than traditional medications, including antifungals that are typically prescribed to treat yeast infections. A 2011 review of 14 studies found that cure rates involving the use of boric acid varied between 40% and 100%. Based on the available research, researchers concluded that boric acid is a safe alternative and affordable option to other treatments. In some cases, boric acid suppositories may be recommended for:

• Trichomoniasis
• Yeast infections
• Bacterial vaginosis

Boric Acid For Yeast Infections

According to several studies, boric acid suppositories may be very effective at treating yeast infections. Researchers note that this is especially true for yeast infections that are not caused by Candida albicans, the usual suspect of yeast infections. A review of studies found that boric acid suppositories are considered safe with only mild side effects. They did a reasonable job eliminating such non-albicans infections, curing between 40% and 100% of such yeast infections. Additionally, yeast infections were no more likely to recur after boric acid treatment than after use of standard antifungal drugs. 

Boric Acid For Bacterial Vaginosis

Bacterial vaginosis occurs when there is an imbalance in vaginal flora. Unfortunately, there is little evidence for the use of boric acid suppositories to treat bacterial vaginosis. That said, small studies suggest that boric acid may be effective when used alone or as a complementary therapy. In one study, about 77% of the participants reported feeling satisfied with how their symptoms resolved; however, the average treatment time was a little over one year. 

Boric Acid For Trichomoniasis 

Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by Trichomonas vaginalis. The research that is available on boric acid suppositories as a treatment option is limited to small studies. Laboratory studies have shown that boric acid can effectively inhibit the growth of trichomonas bacteria. That supports the fact that boric acid suppositories may be an appropriate treatment option for the condition. That said, trichomonas has difficulty growing in acidic environments in lab settings. People who have a higher than healthy pH balance in the vagina tend to experience this condition more frequently. For infections that are hard to treat, consider discussing boric acid suppositories with your healthcare provider. 

How To Use Boric Acid Suppositories

You always have the option of discussing the use of boric acid suppositories with your healthcare provider prior to using it as a treatment option. If you just want to try it on your own, be sure to wash your hands thoroughly. Use an applicator, or your finger, to insert one suppository into the vagina in the evening. You may want to wear a panty liner or washable period underwear in case of possible discharge. 

Typical instructions for a yeast infection is to leave in the suppository overnight, inserting a new one each night for seven days. For recurring infections, insert one suppository per evening for 14 days, then continue to use for six months to a year twice weekly. Most boric acid suppositories are available at drugstores or online. 

Side Effects

Boric acid suppositories are generally safe for adults, but minor side effects can occur. Tell your healthcare provider about other medications or supplements you take because they may or may not interact with the suppository. Don’t ever take boric acid suppositories orally and do not use them if you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant. The most common side effects include:

• Burning at the insertion site
• Vaginal irritation
• Suppository leaking out and not fully absorbing
• Redness in the vaginal area
• Watery discharge
• Harm to fetus (if pregnant)

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President Biden’s health secretary, Xavier Becerra, recently declared the monkeypox outbreak a national health emergency. This is a rare designation, suggesting that the virus represents a significant risk to Americans. This declaration comes after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared monkeypox a global health emergency in July 2022. It also marks the fifth national emergency since 2001. 

According to a press briefing, Becerra said, “We’re prepared to take our response to the next level in addressing this virus, and we urge every American to take monkeypox seriously and to take responsibility to help us tackle this virus.” 

What Does The Data Suggest?

Globally, there are more than 26,000 cases of monkeypox in 87 countries. According to current data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the United States leads the world in monkeypox infections, with 6,616 across the country. New York, Georgia, and Washington have the highest rates of monkeypox per capita. The disease has the potential to cause serious illness and five deaths were recorded. 

The WHO’s assessment of monkeypox is moderate on a global scale in all regions. In European countries, however, the risk is very high, but the risk of monkeypox disrupting international travel is low as of now. That said, health experts stated that this virus has the potential to cause serious illness. A coordinated international response is necessary in order to stop transmission and protect the most vulnerable groups. 

Similar to the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, tests are difficult to obtain. Surveillance has also been spotty, meaning that obtaining an accurate amount of cases is difficult. The U.S. Administration has also received a lot of negative attention for not properly educating people in the LGBTQI+ community before pride celebrations in June 2022. According to health officials, people in the LGBTQI+ community seem to be the most at risk for monkeypox infection. LGBTQI+ makes up about 5% of the world’s population, yet they have 25% of the world’s monkeypox cases. 

Is There A Plan Of Action?

President Biden recently named Robert Fenton, an administrator with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, as the White House’s national monkeypox response coordinator. Fenton highlighted how the government already scaled up testing services to handle 80,000 tests per week. That number is a massive increase from the 6,000 tests per week that it previously handled. 

The actual number of people being tested is currently at 10% of the capacity. This is why the CDC encourages anyone with a suspected rash that may be monkeypox to get a test. You should be able to schedule a test via your healthcare provider. Quest Diagnostics, Mayo Clinic Laboratories, Sonic Healthcare, and Labcorp are among some of the labs testing for monkeypox. The emergency declaration will allow the government the opportunity to find new strategies to get vaccines or treatments more quickly. This effort will greatly benefit impacted communities, or those most at risk. 

Who Is Most At Risk?

Going off the most recent data, it seems that the median age for those who become infected is 36. People who contract monkeypox, however, range from ages 18 to 76. The vast majority of cases has been among people who identify as men who have sex with men. Both gay and bisexual men who have had sex with multiple partners have a higher risk of contracting monkeypox. The CDC advises people who identify with these groups to be on the lookout for rashes or lesions that seem unusual. These rashes can occur anywhere on the body, especially the genitalia. 

With this information in mind, the WHO has stressed that the general public is unlikely to get monkeypox. On August 1st, 2022, however, at least four children contracted the illness in the United States. Children are most likely to get the virus if they come in contact with someone who has it or is at risk. These things can be prevented if all countries with confirmed cases of monkeypox work together to fight the disease. A united effort is the only way to control the outbreak and prevent further spread.

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The recent Supreme Court ruling that overturned the landmark Roe v. Wade leaves medical experts in a perplexing situation. Many physicians will be put in a bind, unable to fulfill professional obligations to provide care for pregnant patients because of state laws that forbid such things. This will all depend on where a person lives, but many women may need to travel long distances to find a clinic that can perform the abortion.

Physicians state that the goal is for a patient to make a decision for themselves about what is right for them. Depending on the state, the conversation has less to do with a person’s values, and more about the legal hoops they had to jump through prior to the procedure. The recent Supreme Court ruling opened the floodgates for a wave of litigation. One side of the ruling fought quickly to put statewide bans in effect, while the other side made it known that they would not interfere with a woman’s right to abortion.

It’s a frightening and confusing time, with some people arguing that it is a scary time. Here’s what health experts and women’s activists want you to know about the loss of abortion rights. 

The Decision Isn’t Science-Based

According to health experts, there is no public health reason that validates restricting a woman’s access to abortion. In fact, public health and medical data about abortion implications find that the opposite is true. Public health scientists say that the procedure is very safe at any stage of pregnancy. Carrying a pregnancy to term is actually riskier for overall health in the eyes of health officials. The decision to have an abortion should be the person’s decision, and their decision alone. 

Prohibiting Abortion Can Reject People’s Autonomy

Pregnancy isn’t something that should be a punishment. Any person who is pregnant can and does make the right decisions, and they do it on their own volition. Oftentimes, people don’t understand that one of the most common emotions following an abortion is relief. According to surveys, the vast majority of people who have abortions are certain about their decision. Additionally, they continue to believe it was the right decision for them years after the fact. 

The Loss Of Abortion Rights Will Harm Minorities

When a person is forced to raise a child or children, they ultimately limit their ability to build a sustainable career over time. Consequently, minority groups will be hit hardest by new abortion bans. This includes people of color, people who live with lower incomes, and people under 18 in rural areas. It’s unlikely that many of these groups will make the necessary travel to states where abortion is legal. On top of that, people who want to get abortions but are unable to do so are statistically more likely to live in poverty, and their children may not meet developmental milestones. 

It’s a fact that women in the United States have higher death rates while pregnant, during childbirth, or after delivery compared to women in other developed nations. This risk is higher for Hispanic and Black mothers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report in February 2022 that stated these types of deaths increased from 2018 to 2020.

Denying Abortion Hurts People

This is not merely an emotional hurt; rather, statistics show that people who cannot get abortions have worse physical health. The Turnaway Study found that people who wanted abortions and couldn’t get them because of legal limitations had poorer health outcomes. Denying people the right to abortion causes long-lasting harm. People who are forced to give birth have a higher risk of living in poverty and are less likely to achieve life goals than people who want to get abortions and can. 

In contrast to the United States, several countries have recently expanded, or now allow, access to abortion. In 2018, the Republic of Ireland legalized abortions, and Northern Ireland followed suit in 2020 after longtime restrictions. Mexico’s Supreme Court ruled that abortions were constitutional in 2021, and Colombia legalized abortion through 24 weeks of pregnancy in February 2022. Unfortunately, it seems that the United States is moving in the opposite direction of progress.

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