A political craze in Detroit, Colorado has taken the shocking form of IUD glitter earrings. These funky pieces of sparkly jewelry are being used to make more than just a fashion statement—they are becoming symbols of support for House Bill 1194, which would give extended funding to the Colorado Family Planning Initiative, originally set to expire on June 30. The bill would provide $5 million dollars to low-income women, giving them access to IUDs and other reversible forms of contraceptives.
However, the bill is receiving push-back from pro-life supporters who believe that IUDs cause abortions rather than prevent them. Conservative politician Bob Beauprez said “IUD is an abortifacient.” Well, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the FDA, and other physician organizations, IUDs only lower the likelihood of getting pregnant in the first place.
The insertion of an IUD diminishes the amount of sperm that enters the oviducts. Copper IUDs will release copper in the uterus that acts like spermicide, while the Mirena IUDs unleash a hormone called progestin which thickens the cervical mucus, preventing sperm from entering the cervix. If the egg becomes fertilized, IUDs can prevent it from attaching to the uterus.
Regardless of what your stance is, these earrings are definitely conversation starters—and the dialogue advocates of this bill are hoping to ignite will clarify the presupposition about IUDs.
If you want to show your support for this bill, or maybe just wear these things ’cause they’re so darn adorable, check out Etsy jeweler/gynocologist Virginia Smith’s store.
Image from buzzfeed.com
