DECISIÓN

Decisión!

I want to thank everyone who has believed in our vision and supported us from the beginning. I also want to extend our thanks to our readers. Thank you for picking up a copy of our magazine. Your enthusiasm inspires us and shows us that the work we are doing here is truly important. Thank you.

Decisión’s main goal is education. We want to fill the void that is caused by the lack of sex education in our community. Growing up as a hispanic woman in a state that does not require its schools to teach sex education was very difficult. Easily accessible information on topics such as contraception, sex, STIs and woman’s pleasure simply did not exist. It wasn’t until I came across the Planned Parenthood website during a Google search on condoms that I finally had access to reliable information on those topics.

That website was a safe place for me. I could finally ask questions about a topic that seemed like such a taboo in my community without fear of being scolded for my curiosity. Unfortunately, not everyone had or continues to have that privilege.

At a time when women’s bodily autonomy

has become a politicized issue, finding reliable sources on such topics can be very difficult. We are living through a terrifying time for women’s rights.

However with the creation of this magazine, we aim to reclaim our power and reach out to the people in our community that are most in need of this information. We hope to create a safe space for everyone who wants to learn about safe sex, contraception, women’s pleasure and abortion. With these resources we want to empower ya’ll make educated choices that best fit your desired lifestyles.

Melissa Cortes, Editor in Chief

Quiero agradecer a todos los que creyeron en nuestra visión y nos han apoyado desde el principio. También quiero extender nuestro agradecimiento a los lectores. Gracias por recoger una copia de nuestra revista. Su entusiasmo nos inspira y nos demuestra que el trabajo que estamos haciendo aquí es realmente importante. Gracias.

El objetivo principal de Decisión es la educación. Queremos llenar el vacío que genera la falta de educación sexual en nuestra comunidad. Creciendo como una mujer Hispana en un estado que no requiere que sus escuelas enseñen educación sexual fue difícil. Acceso a información sobre temas como la anticoncepción, el sexo, enfermedades sexuales y el placer de la mujer simplemente no era facil de obtener. No fue hasta que encontré el sitio web de Planned Parenthood durante una búsqueda en Google sobre condones que finalmente tuve acceso a información confiable sobre esos temas.

Podía hacer preguntas sobre un tema que parecía tabú en mi comunidad sin temor. Desafortunadamente, no todos tuvieron o continúan

teniendo ese privilegio.

La autonomía de las mujeres se ha convertido en un tema politizado y encontrar fuentes confiables sobre estos temas es difícil. Estamos viviendo un momento aterrador para los derechos de las mujeres.

Sin embargo, con la creación de esta revista, nuestro objetivo es recuperar nuestro poder y ayudar a las personas de nuestra comunidad que más necesitan esta información. Esperamos crear un espacio seguro para todos los que quieran aprender sobre sexo seguro, anticoncepción, placer femenino y aborto. Con estos recursos, los queremos empoderar a tomar decisiones informadas que mejor se adapten al estilo de vida que ustedes deseen.

Cortes, Editor en jefe

Melissa

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Welcome to the first issue of

¡Bienvenidos a la primera edición de Decisión!

Clitoris: How many nerve fibers does it really have?

The clitoris — a pleasure-producing sexual organ that is located where the labia minora (inner lips) meet and extends along both sides of the vagina — is the female equivalent of the penis.

In fact, the clitoris originates from the same mass of tissue in the embryo that gives rise to the penis.

Although it carries the same importance in sexual functioning, the clitoris has been less widely studied than its male counterpart.

Overturning outdated assumptions

Researchers are aware that the clitoris has a substantial supply of nerves — cordlike structures composed of nerve fibers — that conduct signals between the brain and spinal cord and other parts of the body.

However, the number of nerve fibers within the human

clitoris has never been officially quantified. The most often-cited claim is that the clitoris has “8,000 nerve endings,” but this figure originates from a bovine study mentioned in a book titled The Clitoris, which appeared in 1976.

To rectify this outdated piece of ewssential information, a study led by the Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) examined tissue samples of the dorsal nerve of the clitoris in an effort to quantify the number of nerve fibers innervating the human clitoris.

The researchers presented the results of this first known count of human clitoral tissue at a scientific conference hosted by the Sexual Medicine Society of North America and the International Society for Sexual Medicine on October 27, 2022. A detailed paper explaining the study will appear in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.

“[T]his [study] highlights the broad scope of knowl-

edge gaps that are present within vulvar health. These fundamental gaps […] ultimately do result in significant consequences for patients,” Dr. Maria Uloko, study co-author and assistant professor of urology at the University of California, San Diego, told Medical News Today.

need for more education, research, and funding attributed to studying the clitoris.

10,281

The researchers obtained clitoris tissue samples from seven transmasculine volunteers who were undergoing a gender-affirming surgical procedure known as phalloplasty.

During a phalloplasty, surgeons use tissues taken from the person’s clitoris and other body parts to construct a functional penis.

The researchers looked at one half of the dorsal nerve, magnifying it 1,000 times under a microscope, and used image analysis software to count the individual nerve fibers.

“Importantly, there are few options available to people who have suffered nerve damage to the clitoris and researchers should build on this work to be able to better treat these conditions. It should [equally] importantly be seen that this work came from trans people and is for people of all genderswww,” Dr. Peters told MNT.

connect during the procedure.

The researchers are also hopeful that their findings could help reduce accidental nerve injuries during elective female genital cosmetic surgery.

Study limitations and next steps

When asked about the study’s limitations, Dr. Peters noted that the study had a small cohort and only one sample was collected from each participant.

NERVE FIBERS

In each sample, they found 5,140 nerve fibers on average. Since the dorsal clitoral nerve is symmetrical, they multiplied this number by two, concluding that the average dorsal nerve of the clitoris contains 10,281 nerve fibers, with a possible count ranging from 9,852 to 11,086.

This result isw about 20% higher than the conventional estimate of 8,000 nerve fibers.

Study implications

The researchers believe that establishing the number of fibers in the dorsal clitoral nerve is an important step in the understanding of clitoral innervation and sexual response.

It should also draw attention to the

One field that will benefit from the results of this study is clitoral reconstruction following female genital mutilation (FGM).

There have been several reports of injury to the clitoris and its nerves as a result of FGM.

The researchers hope that their findings will lead to new surgical techniques to repair injured nerves.

Dr. Bahir Edouard Elias, a plastic, esthetic and reconstructive surgeon specializing in the field of surgical reconstruction after FGM, who did not contribute to the current research, told MNT that this “excellent study […] will be of great help” in that area.

Furthermore, all participants were on testosterone therapy. While hormone therapy should not impact nerve fiber count, the analysis of tissue samples from individuals who are not on exogenous hormones would support the study.

Another limitation, Dr. Peters pointed out, is that “the total number [of nerve fibers] was calculated assuming bilateral symmetric innervation” — that is, that the dorsal nerve is symmetrical.

ON

Dr. Peters believes that the re-

AVERAGE

sults of this study will improve sensory outcomes for transgender patients undergoing phalloplasty as the surgeon can better select which nerves to

The researchers also noted that the study focuses on myelinated nerve fibers in the dorsal clitoral nerve. Since unmyelinated nerve fibers and other nerves in the clitoris were not counted, the result of this study likely underestimates the number of nerve fibers in the human clitoris.

In the future, Dr. Peters would like to conduct similar studies on the penis glans (or head), with the hope of shedding more light on the two organs and aiding surgeons in creating a functional clitoris for transgender patients.

A better understanding of human clitoral innervation has ramifications for many areas of medical practice, including gender-affirming surgery and repair of the dorsal clitoral nerve after genital mutilation or surgical injury.

In book, Gabrielle Blair tells men to “ejaculateresponsibly”

During Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court confirmation hearings in 2018, writer Gabrielle Blair was watching — and going “absolutely bonkers, just hearing man after man grandstanding about abortion.”

“It’s so clear to me they don’t understand the issue,” Blair told NPR. “They don’t understand that real people are going to be affected by this, that it affects both wanted and unwanted pregnancies like that. They just don’t really understand what’s happening here and they’re just using this as a political tool.”

Venting her frustration on Twitter, Blair described herself as “a mother of six, and a Mormon.” In a thread that quickly would go viral, Blair explained why she was “convinced men actually have zero interest in stopping abortion.”

Blair unpacks that argument further in her new book, Ejaculate Responsibly: A Whole New Way to Think About Abortion, out this week from Workman Publishing.

After 16 years of making a name for herself as a blogger and home decor expert, Design Mom has written her manifesto — about reproductive health.

Thisconversationhasbeeneditedforlengthandclarity.

Sarah McCammon: I’m sitting at this coffee shop; your book is on the table next to me. I’m not getting any looks yet, but let’s start with that [title, Ejaculate Responsibly]. Why is it called that?

Gabrielle Blair: It’s a bit of a prescription and it’s also an argument...It’s called that because I’m trying to shift the conversation about abortion away from controlling women’s bodies and legislating women’s bodies, and instead focus on the fact that men are not held accountable for causing unwanted pregnancies.

SM: You describe yourself as a Mormon mother of six on Twitter. Can you tell me why you choose to highlight that? Do you think people are surprised to hear a “Mormon mom” making this pitch?

GB: I’m both pro-choice and Mormon, and I’m comfortable identifying with both of those. But I know people make assumptions about me. If I mention that I’m a Mormon, if I mention that I have six kids — which I do — I know that people will be more likely to listen to me that might have differing political opinions ...even though they may not agree with me politically

SM: How do people who disagree with you, and maybe are a bit more conservative than you, tend to respond to your perspective?

GB: Very positively. Because the reality is, what are they going to argue against? They want men to ejaculate irresponsibly? Who’s going to argue for that? So as I walk them through and describe like, hey — we know how to reduce abortions. This is how it works. And we could do a lot better if we were focusing on men understanding that they are causing these pregnancies. That sperm causes pregnancy. That ejaculation is voluntary, while ovulation is involuntary. We could do a lot better. And if you’re sincerely interested in reducing abortion...there is nothing in this book that you wouldn’t be cheering about.

SM: There is a certain type of rhetoric on the left that says we should not stigmatize abortion, we should not talk about making it “rare.” How do you think about that?

GB: I’m pro-choice. I think women that want or need an abortion should be able to get one whenever they want or need one. But I can also say I’ve gone through six pregnancies and I found pregnancy extremely difficult. And I’m saying that as someone who had a “normal,” typical pregnancy with nothing unusual that happened. I still found it very difficult. And I found the first trimester especially difficult. And so if I could reduce abortions...I would do that,

simply because it could prevent women from experiencing this very difficult thing that they didn’t want to experience in the first place, that they didn’t choose to experience. And so while I’m not worried about abortion numbers, for me, if abortion numbers went down, that would mean I’m relieving a burden from women, or that a burden is being released from women, and also that men aren’t treating women’s bodies so casually.

SM: [You argue that] “Men can easily prevent abortions and choose not to.” What makes you think that men choose not to?

GB: Men have full control of whether or not they cause a pregnancy in that only a man can decide whether he’s going to release sperm and where he’s going to release the sperm. That’s always his choice. And so if men didn’t want to cause a lot of pregnancies, they could easily stop causing unwanted pregnancies. They could reduce or eliminate abortions out of unwanted pregnancies simply by ejaculating responsibly. They could do this without touching abortion law, without even mentioning women. They could do this completely, just by again choosing to ejaculate responsibly or legislating, you know, responsible ejaculation, if that’s what they want to do. They choose not to. They choose to focus on women.

SM: Are there interventions or policies that you think would move the needle?

GB: If you included free vasectomies among all the birth control choices and made them free and easily accessible, that would be huge...I think the other thing we need is a social campaign that talks about the reality of vasectomies. They are much safer than tubal ligations, which is the comparable form of [permanent] birth control for women. Vasectomies are much less risky, but there are far more tubal ligations performed in our country than vasectomies, because there are a lot of myths and stigmas around vasectomy. Men really worry that they’re not going be able to feel the same during sex, that their erection won’t feel the same, that their orgasm won’t be the same, and they don’t want to risk that.

And I get it. But when you talk to an actual urologist, when you talk to men who have had vasectomies, these concerns really dissipate quickly...I think it could become an assumption that men are going to ejaculate responsibly, they’re going to have a vasectomy, they’re going to use a condom — that this is just a given that they’re going to ejaculate responsibly. And I think we can get there. I know we can.

“

Instead focus on the fact that men are not held accountable for causing unwanted pregnancies.”

7 Best Sex Toys To Buy Yourself This Holiday Season

With the holidays quickly approaching, it’s time to get some shopping done. And, while your list may be long with the names of other people, have you stopped to think about yourself? Sure, it might feel like your options are endless as to what to get, but buying a sex toy for yourself may be exactly what you need.

Unlike clothes, sex toys never go out of fashion, and unlike treating yourself to your favorite restaurant, sex toys offer satisfaction that lasts. There’s also the fact that masturbation is excellent for your mind and body, so much so that we can file it under self-care. And everyone deserves self-care,

especially this time of year.

According to a recent survey of 1,012 people by Univia, a skincare line, 66.7% of the respondents regarded masturbation as the most effective form of self-care.

“Masturbation is a powerful remedy for your sense of self, especially if you struggle with taking care of yourself,” Janet Brito, PhD. PSY, LCSW, CS, psychologist and sex therapist, tells Bustle in a previous article.

If you’re ready to give yourself the gift you really deserve this year, here are 7 sex toys to buy for yourself.

Perfectly shaped to hit all the right spots and one hell of a bargain, especially when it comes to sex toys, this is a great vibrator to add to your collection. Or, if you don’t have a collection yet, a great starter toy.

Even if you’re the type of person who can orgasm pretty much on demand, Womanizer is still a sex toy worth exploring. Human beings may be creatures of habit, but the element of surprise should never be underestimated. So give your clitoris a surprise.

Designed to feel like a natural extension of your hand, Fin just feels like it’s supposed to be there. With three speeds to offer optimal pleasure, Fin can be used all over your body, so no erogenous zone has to go without some proper attention.

Erika Lust XConfessions

Subscription: $34.99

Le Wand Point $125

Feminist pornographer, Erika Lust, is a breath of fresh air. Not only does she advocate for ethical porn, but she makes it, by truly caring about the well-being and welfare of her performers. Her pornography is also all-inclusive, because there’s no one way to enjoy pleasure with your fellow consenting humans. A subscription to XConfessions might be the gift to give yourself this year.

Crave Bullet $69

Each of the five vibrators from the collection all have the same power as the first line, but can fit in the palm of your hand, making them ideal sex toys for traveling.

While all the toys from this collection are great, what makes Point extra special is its curves and shape. It’s wide enough to stimulate the vulva, but the point knows where to go to get down to business.

The Rabbit $79

While they may range in power a bit, all bullet vibrators are made to be compact and easy to use. No need to fuss with directions or download apps. In most cases, it’s just a matter of pulling your new bullet vibe out of its packaging, making sure it’s fully charged, and you’re good to go.

Built for simultaneous clitoral and G-spot stimulation, the Rabbit, and its many incarnations, is a go-to for those who can’t decide which type of stimulation they want most. And, honestly, in a world where you can have it all, why wouldn’t you choose all?

It’s not selfish to think of yourself and, even sometimes, put yourself first. So while you’re out and about — or online — shopping for others, don’t forget you. You deserve a gift just as much as anyone else you love. Giving yourself the gift of pleasure is the ultimate act of self-care and love.

HOW TO PRIORITIZE YOUR OWN PLEASURE DURING SEX ?

W hile c onversations surrounding sex and consent seem to have been opened up much more over the past few years, female pleasure is still a somewhat taboo subject.

When it comes to action between the sheets, everyone deserves to have a fun and pleasurable experience, but sometimes it can feel a lot easier to fake an orgasm and go to sleep. It can be difficult to tell a partner you’re not really enjoying yourself in bed but there are ways to prioritize your pleasure and get to know your body a little better.

Speaking on the Independent’s dating and relationship podcast Millennial Love, women’s rights activist Gina Martin revealed that she thinks people’s reluctance to prioritize their own pleasure is because “so much that comes before” that. She continued: “There [are] so many different things we worry about and there’s such a low bar for what we expect in the bedroom.”

Martin appeared on the podcast alongside sex educator and author Flo Perry. She added, “we’re so scared of being single that once you have the boyfriend or the girlfriend, you don’t think, ‘Is this the sex I want to be having?’ You don’t prioritize your own pleasure. I think a lot of women especially do that.”Everyone deserves a full and fulfilling sex life. And if you want to prioritize your pleasure there’s things you can do to get into the habit of doing to look after yourself.

1If you find it difficult to explain what you’d like with a partner then educating yourself may help. It also empowers you to be a bit more explorative on your own. Don’t be afraid to learn as much as possible about your body and your pleasure. Setting a bit of time aside to woo yourself may sound cheesy but it could also show you exactly what you like when it comes to your pleasure. While I can remember male masturbation being talked and joked about all the way through school, female masturbation was always portrayed as more shameful. No two women climax from exactly the same thing, and learning what gets you going could help when you’re with a partner.

GET TO KNOW YOUR BODY THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU WANT

2Sex and pleasure can and should be fun. There’s so much that you can do in the bedroom, both with a partner and alone. If you find yourself with a fantasy that you’d like to fulfill with a partner, Dr. Sadie Allison, Founder of TickleKitty. com tells Self, “Describe what you’d like to explore in detail, as everyone’s kinks can have their own parameters, specific to that person. Address expectations too, and what you’d like to get out of it. For example if hair pulling is your kink, describe—or even demonstrate on him—how hard you want him to pull. The more direction you give, the better they can give you what you want. And it’ll be safest.”

When you’re in bed with someone and they keep letting you know they’re going to climax or ask you if you’ve finished yet, there’s a lot of temptation to fake an orgasm or give up altogether. But if you know what turns you on and your partner isn’t doing it, try and guide them so you’re getting more out of the sexual experience. Of course, the end goal of sex doesn’t always have to be an orgasm, but you deserve to enjoy the encounter as much as your partner.

There’s so much that contributes to the quality of your sex life, including diet and exercise. Not only does exercise improve your physique and mental health but it could also be the answer to a dwindling sex life. The Flo website says, “A 20-minute run or cycle can help increase your blood flow and lubrication, making it easier for you to become aroused and ultimately, climax. Fitness can be a good option for those who have a low libido and want to increase their physiological arousal without medication.”

5 6Sometimes your partner can be doing all the right things in the bedroom but, if you’re stuck in your own head, there’s no way you’ll reach climax. Anxiety and overthinking in the bedroom is incredibly common and Professor Lori Brotto from the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at the University of British Columbia said told meditation organisation Headspace that “the most common predictors and causes of sexual dysfunction in women are: stress, multi-tasking, poor body image, depression, anxiety, relationship concerns, and fatigue.” If you are experiencing any of these, addressing them may be the first step to improving your time in the bedroom.

One of the most important things when it comes to understanding your own pleasure and getting a partner to appreciate it too is understanding that you deserve a full sex life and your pleasure is as important as any any one else’s.

‘Es histórico’ Colombia despenaliza Y se une a la marea

despenaliza el aborto

verde

La Corte Constitucional de Colombia dictaminó este lunes que someterse a un aborto ya no es un delito según la ley colombiana, una decisión que allana el camino para que el procedimiento esté más accesible en un país católico y tradicionalmente conservador.

El fallo sucede luego de años en que las mujeres de toda América Latina se han organizado para exigir más protecciones y derechos, entre ellos el acceso al aborto y tras cambios significativos en el panorama legal de la región.

La Suprema Corte de Justicia de México despenalizó el aborto en una decisión parecida en septiembre y el Congreso de Argentina legalizó el procedimiento a fines de 2020. El fallo significa que tres de los cuatro países más poblados de América Latina han abierto la puerta a un acceso más amplio al aborto.

También sucede cuando Estados Unidos ha estado avanzando en dirección opuesta, con restricciones al aborto que se multiplican en todo el país, y la Corte Suprema de Estados Unidos está evaluando un caso que podría dar marcha atrás a Roe contra Wade, el fallo de 1973 que estableció el derecho constitucional al aborto.

“Esto pone a Colombia a la vanguardia en toda América Latina”, dijo Mariana Ardila, una abogada colombiana en Women’s Link Worldwide, una organización que impulsa el derecho al aborto y que forma parte de la coalición que presentó uno de los dos casos que cuestionaban la penalización del aborto. “Es histórico”

La decisión de la corte colombiana despenaliza los abortos en las primeras 24 semanas de embarazo, y significa que cualquier mujer debería poder buscar que un profesional de la salud le realice el procedimiento sin temor a ser procesada penalmente. El fallo también crea las bases para que el gobierno colombiano regule más el proceso.

La medida forma parte de un cambio cultural radical en

La decisión de la Corte Constitucional se produjo luego de años de trabajo por parte de las organizaciones que defienden los derechos de las mujeres en toda América Latina.

América Latina, impulsado por movimientos feministas de base y una generación más joven y laica.

La decisión de la corte colombiana despenaliza los abortos en las primeras 24 semanas de embarazo, y significa que cualquier mujer debería poder buscar que un profesional de la salud le realice el procedimiento sin temor a ser procesada penalmente. El fallo también crea las bases para que el gobierno colombiano regule más el proceso.

La medida forma parte de un cambio cultural radical en América Latina, impulsado por movimientos feministas de base y una generación más joven y laica.

En una región conocida históricamente por su fe católica y el conservadurismo social, un impulso creciente por los derechos de las mujeres y el acceso al aborto ganó protagonismo hace poco más de un año, cuando Argentina se convirtió en la nación más grande de América Latina en legalizar el aborto.

Pronto, los defensores del derecho al aborto en toda la región, desde México hasta Paraguay, y de Brasil a Colombia, usaban o portaban pañuelos verdes, el símbolo del movimiento por el derecho al aborto en Argentina, para mostrar su solidaridad con los derechos sexuales y reproductivos de las mujeres.

Los pañuelos se convirtieron en símbolos de la labor que las abogadas y activistas por los derechos de las mujeres venían haciendo de manera más silenciosa durante años.

La decisión de Argentina repercutió en toda América Latina, mostrando que era posible legalizar el aborto en países con fuertes creencias católicas y protestantes y una historia de ideales patriarcales.

En septiembre, la Suprema Corte de Justicia de México dictaminó que era inconstitucional tipificar como delito el

aborto, lo que ayudó a allanar el camino para la legalización del procedimiento en ese país de unos 130 millones de habitantes.

En los últimos meses, los magistrados de la Corte Constitucional analizaron dos solicitudes que cuestionaban la sección del código penal colombiano que tipificaba el aborto como un delito.

En una de ellas, un abogado de nombre Andrés Mateo Sánchez Molina argumentaba que lo dispuesto violaba derechos protegidos por la Constitución, entre ellos el derecho a la dignidad humana, la igualdad y la libertad.

En la otra, presentada por Causa Justa, una coalición de organizaciones que defienden el derecho al aborto, los abogados alegaron que la penalización había presentado el aborto de manera tan negativa que disuadía a las mujeres de solicitarlo incluso cuando tenían el derecho legal a someterse al procedimiento.

En algunos casos, dijeron, la existencia de una sanción penal ocasionaba que los profesionales de la salud se rehusaran a realizar el procedimiento a mujeres que sí califican para recibirlo. En otros, las mujeres evitaban acudir a centros de salud legales por temor a que las metieran a la cárcel y entonces

recurrían a alternativas peligrosas en clínicas clandestinas.

Las barreras “afectan principalmente a las mujeres de zonas rurales y remotas, las mujeres con escasos recursos económicos, las adolescentes, y las mujeres y las niñas que viven en situaciones de conflicto armado o de otros tipos de violencia basada en género como la sexual o la física”, escribieron representantes de Causa Justa en la síntesis de la demanda.Por ende, resultaba inconstitucional hacer del procedimiento un crimen en la mayoría de las circunstancias.

Finalmente, el tribunal decidió analizar primero la solicitud de Causa Justa. El segundo caso se examinará en una fecha posterior, pero la primera decisión ya no se puede revocar.

En la tarde del lunes, cientos de partidarios del derecho al aborto y decenas de sus opositores se congregaron frente a la sede de la corte en Bogotá esperando a que se produjera una decisión.

En meses recientes, quienes apoyan el derecho al aborto y sus oponentes han lanzado campañas para intentar influir en la decisión y sus concentraciones han llegado a simbolizar la división cultural que hay en el país en torno al tema.

Las mujeres de la multitud bailaban con pañuelos verdes sobre la cabeza mientras la noticia se extendía entre la multitud, lo que provocó que Jonathan Silva, de 32 años, se alejara enojado. Silva, un cristiano evangélico que trabaja para Unidos Por La Vida, una organización contra el aborto, dijo que la corte se había excedido en sus atribuciones y que esa decisión debían tomarla los funcionarios electos.

“Lo que están despenalizando es la

muerte de seres humanos”, dijo.

Hasta ahora, los abortos solo han sido legales en circunstancias muy limitadas establecidas en un fallo de 2006: cuando la salud de la mujer está en riesgo, cuando el feto tiene serios problemas de salud o cuando el embarazo es resultado de una violación. Cualquier persona que se someta a un aborto —o ayude a una mujer a conseguirlo— puede ser sentenciada a entre 16 y 54 meses de prisión.

Las activistas por el derecho a abortar a menudo dicen que este panorama legal crea un sistema en dos niveles: las mujeres más adineradas de las ciudades

acionadas con estos abortos han sucedido en zonas rurales e involucran a menores de hasta 11 años, según los investigadores de Causa Justa.

Los abortos ilegales a menudo se realizan de manera insegura y causan unas 70 muertes al año en Colombia, según el Ministerio de Salud del país.

Una encuesta reciente realizada por Ipsos, una firma sin vínculos partidistas, encontró que aunque el 82 por ciento de los colombianos que respondieron apoyaban el aborto en ciertas circunstancias, solo el 26 por ciento lo apoyaban en todos los casos. La decisión del tribunal probablemente cause roces cuando activistas a favor del aborto, legisladores, proveedores de servicios de salud y otros determinen Wcómo debe implementarse.

Otras instancias legales no pueden alterar la decisión.

La Corte Constitucional de Colombia es más liberal que el país en general, según muchos expertos legales, y numerosos cambios progresistas, como la legalización del matrimonio igualitario en 2016, surgieron de los fallos de la corte.

podían acceder a un aborto porque sabían cómo utilizar las excepciones que prevé la ley mientras que las más pobres y con menos educación tenían menos conocimiento y medios para hacerlo.

En Colombia, los fiscales abren unos 400 casos cada año contra mujeres que han tenido abortos o contra quienes les ayudan, según la oficina de la Fiscalía General. Al menos 346 personas han sido sentenciadas en casos de este tipo desde 2006.

Casi todas las investigaciones rel-

También se considera que la corte fija tendencias en la región, dijo Francisco Bernate, un profesor de derecho de la Universidad de Rosario en Bogotá y el fallo posiblemente atraiga la atención de otros magistrados en América Latina.

Los activistas de Estados Unidos también están siguiendo los cambios en la región.

“Estas luchas están conectadas”, dijo Serra Sippel, jefa de promoción global de Fos Feminista, un grupo de derechos reproductivos con sede en Washington, D. C. “Nosotros en Estados Unidos podemos aprender mucho”.

“ 82 % de los colombianos que respondieron apoyaban el aborto en ciertas circunstancias.”

La depresión posparto es un trastorno de la salud mental

Los sonogramas, los anuncios de embarazo, las fiestas para revelar el sexo del bebé, los baby showers y las clases de preparación de parto – los eventos y las celebraciones en torno a un nuevo bebé brindan una alegría inconmensurable a muchas futuras madres. Sin embargo, según los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades de EE.UU. (CDC), para una de cada ocho mujeres estadounidenses esa alegría puede desaparecer poco después de dar a luz y ser sustituida rápidamente por sentimientos de agobio, impotencia y angustia mental.

“Tener un bebé es un acontecimiento que cambia la vida”, dice Melissa Acevedo, M.D., obstetra y ginecóloga afiliada con South Miami Hospital. “El sentido de sí misma de una madre de vira al revés en los días y las semanas después del parto”.

La Dra. Acevedo identifica los cambios hormonales, la falta de sueño debido a los patrones de sueño a menudo erráticos de los bebés y las nuevas dinámicas familiares o de relación como las causas principales de angustia para las mujeres en los primeros días después del nacimiento de su bebé. La mayoría de las mujeres aprenden pronto a hacerle frente a estos factores de estrés y a manejar su nuevo papel. Sin embargo, para algunas mujeres, los sentimientos perturbadores pueden acumularse y permanecer durante dos semanas o más después del parto. Es entonces cuando se diagnostica la depresión posparto.

Evaluaciones de salud mental

Para ayudar con ese diagnóstico que a menudo puede ser difícil porque las mujeres se sienten avergonzadas de hablar de sus sentimientos, la Dra. Acevedo comienza a tener conversaciones sobre el bienestar mental y emocional durante los chequeos regulares durante el embarazo.

- ¿Fue este un embarazo planificado?

- ¿Cómo está durmiendo??

- ¿Ha experimentado algún cambio de apetito?

- ¿Han cambiado sus relaciones interpersonales con su cónyuge, su pareja u otros miembros de la familia?

“Hacemos estas preguntas para eliminar el estigma”, dijo la Dra. Acevedo. “Cuantas más mujeres se sientan cómodas hablando de su salud mental, más posibilidades tendremos de reconocer un posible problema. Vamos a seguir haciendo

estas preguntas en cada visita a la consulta para asegurarnos de que la mujer esté bien.”

Síntomas de la depresión posparto

“Analizamos cualquier síntoma, la gravedad de esos síntomas y cómo esos síntomas están afectando sus vidas, sus relaciones y capacidad para establecer un vínculo con su nuevo bebé”, dijo ella. “Las señales reveladoras de que la depresión posparto está presente es que estos síntomas son graves, duran más de dos semanas después del parto y afectan a la calidad de vida”.

La Dra. Acevedo dice que los “baby blues” o la melancolía después del parto, que a menudo se teme que sea depresión posparto, se resuelven en las dos primeras semanas después del parto y son menos graves que los síntomas de la depresión posparto:

- Llanto y tristeza.

- Cambios en los patrones de sueño debido a una mente acelerada o a la necesidad persistente de ver cómo está el bebé.

- Comer demasiado o muy poco.

- No poder establecer un vínculo con el bebé.

- No querer realizar las actividades que antes disfrutaba.

- Cambios en las relaciones interpersonales.

- Tener pensamientos de suicidio o querer hacerle daño al bebé.

La depresión posparto y la NICU

Para las madres que deben dejar a sus bebés en la Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales (NICU), la depresión posparto puede ser especialmente difícil, dice la Dra. Acevedo. Ella misma, como madre de un bebé en la NICU, reconoce que existe un mayor riesgo de depresión posparto entre esta población de madres.

“Estas mujeres pueden sentirse completamente inadecuadas y sentirse tremendamente culpables por no ser capaces de cuidar a su bebé”, dice ella. Afortunadamente, las NICU, como las de South Miami Hospital y Baptist Children’s Hospital, toman medidas proactivas para apoyar a estas mujeres y ayudarlas a establecer vínculos con sus bebés. Cuando es seguro hacerlo, se anima a las madres a alimentar y cuidar a sus bebés en el hospital. También promueven el cuidado canguro, o el contacto piel con piel, que se ha demostrado que refuerza el vínculo entre la madre y el bebé.

“Los profesionales de enfermería y los médicos de nuestra

NICU de South Miami Hospital apoyan a estas madres y les recuerdan que ellas son lo más importante para el cuidado de su bebé”, dijo la Dra. Acevedo.

El tratamiento de la depresión posparto

Si la Dra. Acevedo descubre algún indicio de depresión posparto en sus pacientes, ella recomienda el tratamiento, empezando por un consejero o terapeuta de salud mental.

“Estos profesionales pueden ayudar a reentrenar el cerebro para enfrentar y superar la ansiedad y la culpa asociadas a la depresión”, dijo ella. “Ofrecen

un escape para la madre y también les enseñan habilidades de afrontamiento”.

Además, la Dra. Acevedo puede recetar medicamentos, como antidepresivos, que sean seguros para las madres que amamantan a sus bebés. También recomienda grupos de apoyo locales para madres de recién nacidos. Su oficina se asocia con un capítulo local de Mammha para ayudar a las mujeres con depresión posparto a encontrar recursos locales, como terapeutas y grupos de apoyo, y ayuda a programar y hacerle seguimiento a las citas para las mamás.

Con el tratamiento y el apoyo adec-

uados, las madres superan su depresión posparto, y sus bebés y su relación con ellos prosperan.

“Es vital que dejemos a un lado el estigma asociado con la depresión posparto hablando abiertamente de ella y guiando a las mujeres a los tratamientos disponibles y eficaces”, dijo la Dra. Acevedo. “Tener depresión posparto no quiere decir que alguien sea una mala madre. Tenemos que educar a las mujeres sobre este trastorno real de salud mental, para que puedan buscar el tratamiento que necesitan sin sentir vergüenza.”

“

Tenemos que educar a las mujeres sobre este trastorno real de salud mental, para que puedan buscar el tratamiento que necesitan sin sentir vergüenza.”

Where is abortion illegal now that

Along the West Coast abortion is still legal. Several states, such as California, have taken measures to protect the right to abortion in their state constitutions. Few to no restrictions exist here.

Along the Midwest abortion is still legal, however it is severely restricted. In many of these states, such as Utah and Arizona, getting an abortion is extremely time consuming and difficult.

For more information on specific policies and access to our interactive map please visit our website: www.Decision.com

that Roe v Wade was overturned?

Along the East Coast, in the northern states, abortion is legal. With the light pink states having few to no restrictions on abortion. It is accessible to the majority of the population.

States along the south have some of the most restrictive polices in the entire country. With abortion rights not longer being legal in Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, Montana, Louisiana and West Virginia

Australian researchers’ temporary sperm blocker is ‘gamechanger’ for men’s contraception

procedure on four men.

Participants will be monitored for three years, providing samples and undergoing regular health checks.

The principal investigator and Epworth Freemasons urologist, Nathan Lawrentschuk, said the study would examine whether the hydrogel offered a nonpermanent alternative for male contraception.

“If it is successful, it could be a gamechanger, ensuring that contraception is a shared responsibility between couples,” Prof Lawrentschuk said.

At present, vasectomies

and condoms are the only widely available form of male contraception in Australia.

Scientists from Monash University are working to develop a hormone-free male contraceptive pill. As well as the pill and other temporary measures, women can access several forms of long-acting contraception.

They include an intrauterine device (IUD), which is inserted into the uterus; a contraceptive implant, which is a small plastic rod inserted into the arm; and regular hormone injections.

Sperm-blocking hydrogel could be a “gamechanger” for contraception if a world-first trial at a Melbourne hospital is successful, researchers say.

The 25 men taking part in the study will have a hydrogel injected into the vas deferens – the tubes that carry sperm – to stop sperm travelling from the testicles.

It’s believed the effect of the hydrogel would last for about two years and it could then be re-injected, offering an alternative to a standard vasectomy, which is intended to be permanent.

Researchers at Epworth Freemasons in Melbourne have so far performed the day

Scientists believe hydrogel injection blocks sperm supply to testicles for about two years and could be alternative to vasectomies

SCOTLAND MAKES PERIOD PRODUCTS FREE!

Period products are now free to anyone in Scotland who needs them, nearly two years after the country’s Parliament approved a landmark piece of legislation.

The initiative makes Scotland the first country in the world to provide free sanitary products, part of a global effort to end “period poverty” — or a lack of access to tampons or sanitary pads because of prohibitively high costs.

Monica Lennon, the lawmaker who submitted the draft proposal for the Period Products Act in 2020, tweeted that Scotland might be “the first but won’t be the last” country to provide free period products.

“We are witnessing a massive culture change, where period stigma is no longer being tolerated,” Ms. Lennon said in an email to The New York Times. “There’s more emphasis on menstrual well-being and a renewed focus on tackling medical misogyny.”

Northern Ireland is considering a similar measure, and New Zealand and Seoul offer free menstrual products in schools.

“It gives me hope that we won’t be the last country to put access to free period products on the statute books,” Ms. Lennon said.

Shona Robison, Scotland’s social justice secretary, echoed Ms. Lennon.

“Providing access to free period products is fundamental to equality and dignity, and removes the financial barriers to accessing them,” she said in a statement. As the cost of living is rising and many are making difficult choices, she added, “We never want anyone to be in a position where they cannot access period products.”

The 2020 legislation in Scotland came on the heels of an earlier law that provided free access to tampons and sanitary pads in schools, colleges, universities and other public buildings. Now every council in Scotland is required to consult with local com-

munities to determine the best access point for menstrual products. In her email, Ms. Lennon said that period products would be available at libraries, swimming pools, public gyms, community buildings, town halls, pharmacies and doctors offices.

People can find the nearest location with free period products through a mobile app called PickupMyPeriod. The app allows users to filter which products are available and how to find them at the location. Home delivery is also available.

When the bill was drafted, Ms. Lennon and the bill’s other writers said they kept in mind challenges to menstruation for those experiencing poverty, homelessness, abusive relationships and health conditions.

The coronavirus pandemic only compounded those issues, according to a 2020 study by the nonprofit Plan International U.K. The group found that almost a third of girls and women age 14 to 21 had problems that year with either being able to afford or gain access to sanitary products during the first national lockdown.

In the United States, a 2021 study by George Mason University showed that 14 percent of women attending college experienced period poverty in 2020. The study found that Latina and Black women were disproportionately affected.

Seventeen states and Washington, D.C., have passed laws that require free access to period products for students, according to Alliance for Period Supplies, an advocacy group. A broader push to repeal state sales taxes applied to menstrual products like pads and cups, often called the tampon tax, has proceeded in fits and starts. Those in favor of repealing the tax argue that necessities like tampons and pads should be tax-exempt, while others argue that states need the revenue. At least 32 states have introduced measures to eliminate the tax and 13 have so far succeeded.

The country is the first to offer tampons, sanitary pads and other menstrual products free of charge.

El estado Mexicano de Quintana Roo despenaliza el aborto

El estado mexicano de Quintana Roo votó a favor de despenalizar el aborto, convirtiéndose en la última zona en aliviar las restricciones al procedimiento como parte de una “ ola verde ” que exige mayores derechos reproductivos en toda América Latina.

Diecinueve legisladores votaron el miércoles a favor y tres en contra, aprobando un cambio en la ley que despenalizaría el aborto para mujeres de hasta 12 semanas de embarazo y eliminaría el requisito de que las víctimas de violación denuncien a su abusador para acceder al aborto.

“La lucha está dando sus frutos”, dijo en Twitter la Red Feminista de Quintana Roo. “Insistiremos en que el aborto no solo es legal, sino también gratuito y seguro”.

GIRE, un grupo de derechos reproductivos en México, también celebró la decisión y dijo que más áreas del país ahora otorgan a las personas “el derecho a decidir” sobre el aborto. “La marea verde sigue avanzando en América Latina”, tuiteó Planned Parenthood .

El aborto se legalizó en la Ciudad de México hace 15 años, y el año pasado la Corte Suprema de Justicia del país dict-

aminó por unanimidad que penalizar el aborto era inconstitucional.

Si bien los activistas de derechos han hecho campaña para eliminar las sanciones estatales para garantizar que las mujeres puedan acceder libremente al aborto, menos de una docena de los 32 estados de México han adaptado sus leyes desde entonces.

La votación matutina en Quintana Roo también se produjo en medio de una ola de victorias por el derecho al aborto en América Latina, incluida Argentina, que a fines de 2020 legalizó los abortos electivos hasta la semana 14 de embarazo.

Ecuador en abril de 2021 legalizó el aborto en casos de violación, mientras que los defensores de los derechos de las mujeres en otros países de la región, donde la Iglesia Católica, que se opone al aborto, sigue ejerciendo una fuerte influencia, también están presionando para relajar las leyes restrictivas del aborto.

El impulso en toda la región se produce cuando Estados Unidos ha ido en la dirección opuesta después de que la Corte Suprema de EE. UU. anulara en junio su histórico fallo sobre el aborto Roe v Wade.

La medida del tribunal superior , que puso patas arriba el derecho constitucional al aborto en todo Estados Unidos, provocó una ola de ira y protestas de activistas de derechos que advirtieron que las personas negras y de bajos ingresos se verían perjudicadas de manera desproporcionada.

Desde que se anuló Roe, varios estados liderados por republicanos han promulgado restricciones al aborto o prohibiciones absolutas del procedimiento.

Los activistas latinoamericanos han dicho que no se dejan intimidar por la reversión del derecho al aborto en los Estados Unidos, y algunos incluso se comprometieron a ayudar a las mujeres en los Estados Unidos a acceder al aborto y otros servicios de salud reproductiva.

De regreso en Quintana Roo, México, la diputada Cinthya Millán, quien se opuso a la reforma del aborto, dijo que el horario matutino de la sesión significaba que algunas voces no habían sido escuchadas.

Pero el diputado Hugo Alday dijo tras la votación que Quintana Roo tenía el deber de reformar sus leyes de acuerdo con la dinámica social y el pacto federal.

Q&A

In an effort to create a space where all of our readers, and the community, can engage with our magazine we have decided to launch a weekly forum. Readers are welcomed to provide us with feedback, ask questions and make suggestions on stories they would like to see featured on Decisión. We understand the lack of sexual health education in our community and are hoping to fill the gap. We strive to provide medically accurate information on any of the questions our readers might have regarding their sexual health.

This is a safe space and members of all communities are welcome to send questions to our staff. Several questions will be picked and featured in our monthly issues. For answers to your specific questions you can visit the Q&A section on our website. With this we hope to create a mutual trust with the communities we have vowed to serve. Thank you for picking up this first issue and we hope you stick around for many more.

Melissa Cortes, Editor in Chief.

PREGUNTAS

En un esfuerzo por crear un espacio donde todos nuestros lectores y la comunidad puedan interactuar con nuestra revista, hemos decidido lanzar un foro semanal. Los lectores son bienvenidos a brindarnos sus comentarios, hacer preguntas y hacer sugerencias sobre las historias que les gustaría ver en Decisión. Entendemos la falta de educación sobre salud sexual en nuestra comunidad y esperamos llenar el vacío. Nos esforzamos por brindar información médica precisa sobre cualquiera de las preguntas que nuestros lectores puedan tener con respecto a su salud sexual.

Este es un espacio seguro y los miembros de todas las comunidades pueden enviar preguntas a nuestro personal. Varias preguntas serán seleccionadas y presentadas en nuestras ediciones mensuales. Para obtener respuestas a sus preguntas específicas, puede visitar la sección de Preguntas en nuestro sitio web. Con esto esperamos crear una confianza mutua con las comunidades a las que nos hemos comprometido a servir. Gracias por leer nuestra primera edición y esperamos que se queden por muchos más.

Melissa Cortes, Editora en Jefe