Unzipping Birth Control: Contraception, Abortion, and the Language That Divides Us

In this episode of Unzipping Taboos, we unzip the tangled narratives around birth control, emergency contraception, and abortion. Too often, political headlines and misinformation blur these terms together — leaving people confused, misinformed, or even shamed for making decisions about their own bodies.We break down the difference between preventing pregnancy and ending one, highlighting how methods like the pill, IUDs, and emergency contraception actually work — and how political rhetoric blurs those lines to push an agenda. We talk about why it matters that we get the science and terminology right, and we question why those who claim to be “pro-life” often fight against the very tools that prevent unplanned pregnancies like comprehensive sex ed and accessible contraception. Together, we call out the dangerous conflation of birth control and abortion, and emphasize the importance of accurate sex ed, and the importance of accountability from policymakers.If you have a story, thoughts and/or a topic or question for Dr. Sue and Charlie please share your ideas here:  ⁠Show suggestionsIf you want to ask Dr Sue a sex question for the weekly Q&A you can submit it here: Ask a question