Women's Health Blog

There is no way to sugar coat it... parenting is expensive. When finances are already a stress in your life, and then you find out you're pregnant, that stress can grow out of control. But let's slow down. You shouldn't feel pressured to make a pregnancy decision based on money. If you want to keep your baby, don't let the fear of financial burdens stop you. You are not alone. According to the Federal Reserve, more than a quarter of US adults report that they are strugglin

If you’re a pregnant student in high school or college, you deserve to feel supported—not sidelined. You have real rights, real protections, and real accommodations designed to help you succeed. Knowing those rights is a powerful step toward making sure you’re treated fairly and given every opportunity to thrive. You should never feel pressured by campus staff or administration to make any pregnancy or parenting decision. You deserve support, respect, and to be treated with d

Abortion is often described as a medical procedure, but for many women, it’s also an emotional experience that leaves lasting feelings to process. Whether your abortion happened recently or years ago, you may still feel a mix of emotions– sadness, confusion, guilt, or grief. Whatever you feel, know this: you are not alone, and healing is possible. At Alight, we believe that every woman deserves a safe and compassionate place to find hope again. Understanding the Emotional Imp

Learn about the common and serious side effects of birth control pills, how they affect your body, and what to consider before taking them. Find out the risks, effectiveness, and safe next steps from Alight. Can Birth Control Pills Cause Side Effects? Short answer —yes, there can be side effects to taking birth control. While the birth control pill is effective at preventing pregnancy, it works by altering a woman's natural hormone levels to prevent ovulation. These changes c

Receiving the abortion pill by mail has become a widely accessible choice for women looking to obtain a chemical abortion. It's discreet, FDA approved, and removes many barriers to access. But is it a safe option for women? While this process may seem convenient, it also removes many of the safeguards designed to protect women’s health. Without in-person medical care, women may miss essential steps such as confirming pregnancy, verifying viability, or ruling out complications

Your best friend just told you that she’s unexpectedly pregnant… Umm, woah! Maybe you’re shocked, maybe you’re worried, or maybe you have a million questions running through your mind. This wasn’t part of the plan. You might feel like freaking out… Pause. Here’s the thing: you can’t freak out. Chances are, your friend is panicking enough for the both of you. What she needs most right now is someone who can take a deep breath and walk through this with her. Confirmation of Pre

When it comes to chemical abortion, you may have some questions. What is a chemical abortion, how does it work, and what do I need to know about the process? Alight wants to see you thrive, which is why we're here to provide trusted answers so you can make informed decisions. How does a chemical abortion work? Mifepristone, otherwise known as the first pill in a chemical abortion or RU-486, works by interrupting progesterone, a necessary hormone for pregnancy to continue. Mis

If you're experiencing an unexpected pregnancy, chances are you may be feeling a whirlwind of emotions. Perhaps you're overwhelmed about lifestyle changes or the financial impact of a new family member. Maybe you thought you were done having kids and you're not sure how you're going to adapt to another. Or maybe you're feeling anxious about labor and the changes to your body. An unexpected pregnancy can bring a wide range of emotions, but whatever you're experiencing, your st

Setting boundaries in relationships can be daunting. Whether it's with your significant other, mother-in-law, co-worker, neighbor, or friend, sometimes, it can be really awkward trying to create and maintain boundaries. In the short-term, avoiding conflict and pleasing the other person may feel easier, but voicing the things that matter to you is important for the health and vitality of your relationship. To help give you a boost, we're going to dive into the different types

Becoming a new parent can be overwhelming and even a little scary. With an endless to-do list and a sea of information to sort through,...

Many women are often discouraged from breastfeeding with arguments about its difficulty, incompatibility with busy schedules, or the notion that formula is just as effective. However, the reality is that breastfeeding is a powerful and empowering choice, offering numerous benefits for both mother and baby. Don’t simply succumb to societal pressures. When deciding on the best way to nourish your baby, ensure you’re well-informed and trust your instincts to choose what’s best f

For the last 70 years, the worldwide fertility rate has declined by a total of 50% . Though this exponential decrease can be attributed...

Let's set the record straight. When it comes to pregnancy, there are an endless amount of myths floating around out there. From old wives' tales to well-meaning advice from friends and family, it can be challenging to distinguish between what is true and what is not. Misinformation can cause anxiety and unnecessary stress, which is why we’re here to debunk five of these common myths. 1. Myth: Morning Sickness Only Happens in the Morning Reality: Due to the influx of hormones

In 2018, 72.7 million women were of reproductive age (15-49) in the United States, and 65% of these women were actively using...

Making a major decision can be stressful. Sometimes, people think that just picking an option will provide clarity. But what if you...

You may think an ultrasound is unnecessary if you plan on terminating your pregnancy. However, to protect your health, it is important to have an ultrasound performed for a few reasons. To confirm pregnancy: A pregnancy test may give a false positive for multiple reasons, including: -user error -recent pregnancy -early miscarriage -molar pregnancy -certain medications that contain hCG -certain underlying conditions on this list 2. To determine if your pregnancy is viable: 1

End the stigma. Talk openly. Save lives. Around 1.8 million women menstruate, and at any given moment, 800 million women and girls have...

Human trafficking is all around us, yet we pay little attention to it. The vast majority of people would not be able to identify the...

Contracting a Sexually Transmitted Disease is more likely than it has ever been. One out of two individuals who are sexually active will...

Cohabitation was never the norm… until about 50 years ago. By the 1970s, about 0.2% of couples lived together before marriage (Gurrentz...