Lesbian women also have abortions and need contraceptives

For lesbian women, seeking information and access to safe abortion services can present unique barriers that are also invisible.

The first obstacle is that much of the information on reproductive health and abortion assumes women's heterosexuality. This excludes lesbian women from the discourse, and this lack of information increases the risk of sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancy and increases the disparity in access to health services.

Read - Miscarriage: why it occurs, how it is treated and what happens next

Add to this the fact that women are historically underrepresented in clinical trials, which means that their specific diseases are not as well studied as those of men. When we translate this to the reality of lesbian women, even less scientific literature focuses on the unique experiences of this group.

Lesbians get pregnant

Second, there is a mistaken assumption that lesbian women cannot get pregnant. But the truth is that between 9 and 37% of lesbian or bisexual women have been pregnant at some point in their lives.

The idea that pregnancy is not a possibility for them may lead health care providers not to offer them information about contraception or family planning, and they themselves may underestimate the possibility of pregnancy and delay seeking information about options such as abortion when it does occur.

That is why at Aya Contigo we are working to make our sexual and reproductive health application more accessible and inclusive and you can download it here:

Lesbians face discrimination

At least 9% of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people have been rejected by health care providers because of their sexual orientation. 29% of these discriminations were experienced by transgender people.

This can manifest in invasive questions, lack of respect for their privacy, or implicit or explicit denial that they may require abortion services. Feeling unsafe or judged in a health care setting is a significant barrier to seeking needed help in a timely manner.

These barriers also have a negative impact on mental health and well-being because they reinforce feelings of isolation.

Aya Contigo is here for you

It is crucial to reaffirm the importance of bodily autonomy for all women, without exception, regardless of their sexual or gender decisions. Every woman has the right to make informed decisions about her body and reproductive health, including the decision to safely terminate a pregnancy.

In the face of these challenges, organizations and digital tools are emerging to offer vital support. Aya Contigo is an example of how technology and a commitment to inclusive reproductive health can make a difference.

Read - Behind the Numbers: Aya Contigo is redefining access to reproductive care across the Americas

We accompany people in the process of self-managing a medical abortion, providing verified information, emotional support and connections to support networks.

Our approach is to provide safe, confidential and inclusive information, creating an accessible and non-judgmental space. In this way, we help break down the informational and emotional barriers that can arise in traditional healthcare settings.

🌈 Encuentra más información sobre Aya Contigo: https://hola.ayacontigo.org/ 

⏬ Accede a la app desde este link: https://hola.ayacontigo.org/en/get-the-app