Content Note
This section talks about the history of birth control and includes experiences of unfair treatment, pressure and harm in health care, both in the past and today. It may be difficult for some people to read. You are welcome to read as much or as little as feels right for you.
There is a long history in the United States, and many other places in the world, of trying to control people’s reproductive lives and choices. This is called reproductive coercion. Reproductive coercion targeted, in particular, Black, Brown, and Indigenous people, people with disabilities, immigrants, and low-income people, among others. These feelings and experiences are real, and it is important to name them.
A History that Still Matters Today
The field of obstetrics and gynecology was built during a time when Black women and other marginalized
groups were treated unfairly and harmed.
Early gynecologic surgeries were tested on enslaved Black girls and women without their permission or pain control.
In the early 1900s, the eugenics movement was based on the false idea that society should control who could have children in order to increase traits seen as “desirable.” This belief led to forced sterilization of many people, especially those with disabilities, people with low incomes, immigrants, and women of color. This would often happen without their knowledge or agreement.
More recently, there have been cases of people in prisons or detention centers being pressured or forced into sterilization, sometimes in exchange for money or services.
These are not just a part of the past. They are part of a pattern of harm that affects how many people experience medical care today.
Unequal Access to Birth Control
Access to birth control is also uneven.
Many Black women live in areas with few clinics or pharmacies that offer the full range of birth control options.
Millions of people in the U.S. live in “contraception deserts,” where it is difficult or impossible to get certain methods without traveling long distances.
Black women are less likely to receive any birth control, and even less likely to receive highly effective methods. This is not because of preference, but because of barriers and bias.
Experiences of discrimination during family planning visits are common and can make people less likely to return for care.
The Impact on Trust
Because of this history and these ongoing experiences, many Black and Latina patients have less trust in the health care system, especially around birth control.
This mistrust is not a personal failing. It is a reasonable response to generations of harm, dismissal, and disrespect. Researchers call this birth control–related mistrust, and it can influence whether someone feels safe seeking care or using birth control at all.
What You Deserve in Birth Control Care
You deserve care that is:
- Respectful
- Non-judgmental
- Free of pressure
- Centered on your values and goals
Birth control should always be your choice. It should never be something you are expected or pushed to use. You have the right to start, stop, or change a method at any time, and to have your concerns taken seriously.
We include this information not to scare you, but to recognize real experiences, honor patient voices, and advocate for care that truly respects choice and autonomy.
Some people may want to better understand the history behind reproductive health inequities, while others do not. Both are completely okay. If you are interested in learning more, the resources below offer thoughtful, well-researched perspectives on the history of birth control, reproductive injustice, and how past harms continue to affect care today.
Books:
Killing the Black Body: Race, Reproduction, and the Meaning of Liberty, Dorothy Roberts. A foundational book that explores how racism has shaped reproductive health policies and practices in the United States.
Medical Apartheid: The Dark History of Medical Experimentation on Black Americans from Colonial Times to the Present, Harriet A. Washington. Examines the long history of medical exploitation of Black Americans, including gynecologic and reproductive abuses.
Reproductive Justice: An Introduction, Loretta Ross & Rickie Solinger. Introduces the reproductive justice framework, which centers bodily autonomy, equity, and human rights.