Why aren’t girls getting the HPV vaccination? This is a subject that has been covered many times here in the blog. The controversy about some thinking it condones underaged sex and the anger over it potentially being required. The dust has nearly settled and what is becoming clear is that despite all the press and the multi-million dollar ad campaign, only 20% of eligible girls are getting this vaccination.

Why not? Quite a few reason are suspected. Firstly, it is inconvenient as it comes in a series of 3 shots. As well, it is expensive, at $360 for the entire treatment. That may not seem like a lot of money to protect yourself against deadly cancer (and genital warts at the same time…. ewww!), however please keep in mind that a whopping 27% of women between the age of 19-26 do NOT have health insurance. That number is staggering to me, especially as that also is peak childbearing years. (I can’t say enough how disappointed I am in our healthcare system)

Other reasons are the fact that despite about 25% of all women having HPV, only 40% of women had ever heard of the virus. And most still do not know that it is the primary cause of cervical cancer. And of course the whole “if I vaccinate my daughter against this she will go out and have underage sex” argument. (which I never really understood, because I personally don’t think the entire explanation of the vaccination needs to be fully discussed to a pre-pubescent girl)

What am I taking out of this? I get the impression that many women are not empowering themselves and taking care of their bodies. They are not aware of what they can do to improve their health. And don’t get me started on the lack of health insurance for those young women between 19-26. I see that as a disgrace and another failure of our healthcare system. Our bodies are miraculous. They can do so many things. It just saddens me when I read these facts. Things need to change.

Celebrities “seeing double”. There is an increase in the amount of celebrity women giving birth to twins. Seems like Julia Roberts started it. Then there was Marica Cross, Marcia Gay Harden, Nancy Grace, Garcelle Beauvais Nilon, and most recently JLo. Now the rumor mill is saying that both Jessica Alba and Angelina Jolie are expecting twins as well.

Is something in the water in Hollywood? Probably not. But a lot of these gals have delayed motherhood for their careers and are now of “advanced maternal age”, so I am wondering if they had a little bit of fertility help…