So many of our patients are worried about things beyond reproductive health care, and I think this one story shows the intersectionality of reproductive health care:

A patient came to our clinic a few days after the election seeking replacement of her IUD. She was adamant about getting a new IUD placed even though her current IUD would not expire for several months from now. When asked why she presented so early, she explained that she is a Muslim American and she had to leave the country due to an illness in her family. She was worried that even though her IUD would not expire for several months from now, that she would not be able to get back into the country. Moreover, even if she was allowed back into the US, she may not have access or health care coverage for a new IUD.

Moreover, even if she was allowed back into the US, she may not have access or health care coverage for a new IUD.

This is a terrible situation for a woman to be in—choosing between family and her health care needs. Of course we were able to care for her, but it is heartbreaking to me that our patients are forced to make these kind of decisions after this election. This goes to show that women have so many factors that can affect their health care and specifically their reproductive health care. More barriers makes it harder for women to get appropriate, compassionate care and makes it harder for doctors to provide that care.