03/20/2026
Intended for U.S. audiences only
At the SHE Media Co-Lab SXSW, Organon packed the house — standing room only!
Our Designing a Life on Your Terms panel lit up the stage as experts in OB/GYN care, psychology, and advocacy came together for a powerful, judgment‑free conversation about what it might look like to make informed, confident decisions about women’s health.
Here are some takeaways:
✨ Health care and contraception are personal. There’s no one-size-fits-all option that’s right for everyone. Every body, life stage, and schedule is different — and your method of birth control should reflect your needs as discussed between you and your healthcare provider, not pressure or expectations.
✨ Understanding your birth control options is a form of self‑advocacy. Come to medical appointments prepared with clear goals and questions. Whether you're considering long‑acting reversible contraception (like implants or IUDs), short‑acting methods (pills, patches, rings, injections), or permanent options (tubal ligation), knowing the differences may help you make the right choice for you.
✨ Find a provider you like and can have open and honest conversations with. A good patient–provider relationship may help filter out misinformation and refocus the conversation on your goals — which may include avoiding pregnancy now, planning for later, or reassessing how birth control may fit into your schedule.
✨ You’re allowed to take your time in making treatment and health care choices. Intimate health decisions deserve space. Asking for more information, pausing to think, and taking cues from your body about what feels right is part of advocating for yourself.
The message was clear: Your timeline is yours. Your body is yours. And the contraceptive choices you discuss with your doctor should align with your story — not anyone else’s.
A huge thank you to our panel:
Karen Tang, MD, MPH, board-certified OB/GYN
Dr. Deepika Chopra, clinical health psychologist and founder of Things Are Looking Up
Alexa Mikhail, Senior Health and Longevity Writer, SHE Media
Michela Bedard, Director of Health Advocacy, Organon