Hi, and welcome to Telefem! It’s so nice to meet you! If this is your first time here, we want to tell you that you’re in a safe space, full of trust. We are here to answer all your questions and provide you with trustworthy information regarding safe abortion in Mexico. Let me introduce you to one of our articles, and if you still have questions, feel free to contact us through WhatsApp!
If you’re a teenager reading this blog, this information might interest you! In this special post, we’ll discuss health and rights in the exercise of sexuality for teens. Let’s begin!
Sexual Health Explained: Body Safety, Rights & Wellbeing
According to the WHO definition, sexual health is a state of physical, mental, and social well-being related to sexuality, and not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction, or pain. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships for enjoyable and safe sexual experiences, free from coercion, discrimination, and violence. For all people to achieve and maintain good sexual health, their sexual rights must be respected, protected, and fulfilled.1
Reproductive Health 101: Your Body, Your Choices, Your Future
Reproductive health is not just about the absence of disease; it refers to all aspects of the reproductive system, its functions, and processes; it refers to a general state of physical, mental, and social well-being. It also implies the freedom to decide whether or not to have children, when, and how often.2
While sexual and reproductive health differ in some aspects, they are intimately related and are fundamental for people’s physical and emotional development. For example, the prevention and treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and access to contraceptives benefit the relationship with sexual pleasure and enjoyment.2
Teenage Pregnancy: A Supportive Guide to Your Options & Next Steps
While it is said that sexual and reproductive health will help influence the prevention of adolescent pregnancy and the eradication of pregnancy in girls, it is also established that Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) helps every teen to have knowledge based on scientific evidence, analytical skills, and capacity building regarding their sexual and reproductive rights for better decision-making in the exercise of their sexuality. This aims to establish healthy and respectful relationships, including a gender equality and non-discrimination perspective, and contribute to the elimination of peer violence, gender-based violence, and sexual abuse.3
It is also necessary to discuss teenagers’ pregnancy from the perspective of young women’s right to decide whether or not they wish to exercise motherhood.
From the protection of comprehensive health, girls, teenagers, women, and pregnant individuals are recognized as rights-holders capable of making decisions.
In Mexico, the Norma Oficial Mexicana (NOM047) indicates that care must be provided for the prevention of unplanned pregnancy in the population aged 10 to 19, with education and care to learn about pregnancy. It also refers to Norma Oficial 047, which addresses access to abortion in cases of sexual violence, provided after an adult guardian signs consent; this guardian does not necessarily have to be a family member.4
If you are a minor and want to terminate a pregnancy, at Telefem we provide empathetic medical guidance for a medicated abortion procedure. You only need an adult guardian to sign an informed consent with you. The guardian does not necessarily have to be your parent; it can be a family member or close friend.
All people have the right to freely and responsibly decide about their sexuality, hence the importance of guidance on sexual and reproductive health, free from coercion, discrimination, or violence.2
5 Essential Tips for Sexual & Reproductive Health5
1.- Stay informed about sexuality with scientific, secular, and truthful sources.
2.- Know your sexual and reproductive rights.
3.- Be aware that you can choose the time and people with whom to have sexual activity without pressure. Remember that if you change your mind, you can say NO.
4.- Research friendly services or institutions that offer services and guidance on sexuality near your location: psychology, contraceptive methods, STI tests, among others.
5.- Choose the contraceptive method you want and that best suits your lifestyle.
6.- Get tested for STIs if you have sexual encounters without barrier contraceptives.
7.- Plan your future, consider if you wish to start a family, and learn about safe methods of pregnancy termination if you do not desire it.
8.- Recognize the importance of your sexuality in life, as well as the importance of expressing it in the best way.
9.- Respect different ways of expression and enjoyment of sexuality.
Where to get judgment-free sexual healthcare
The Ministry of Health in Mexico has a “Friendly Services” area that you can find within health units, and you can check the directory here.6
You will find services such as:
- Psychological care
- Information
- Guidance
- Counseling
- Medical attention
- Contraceptive methods
Some centers and organizations offer sexual and reproductive health services; depending on the service you are looking for, you can go to different ones. Among the most prominent, for instance, sexually transmitted infections are:
- AHF México has locations in Mexico City, Cuernavaca, Guadalajara, Mérida, Oaxaca, Tijuana, and Xalapa.7
- Clínica Condesa in the Cuauhtémoc and Iztapalapa boroughs of Mexico City.8
At Telefem, we are an organization that connects you with specialists to terminate your pregnancy if that is your decision. We offer personalized, empathetic, and respectful assistance in case of an unplanned pregnancy.
Was this helpful? For more on reproductive health and safe abortion, visit our blog—get all your questions answered. See you there!
You’re Not Alone
A safe abortion should never be done in uncertainty or isolation. Staying in communication with trained professionals makes all the difference. That’s why Telefem is here — to guide and support you from start to finish.
Send us a WhatsApp today — we’re ready to help.
* This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice and applies only to Mexico’s law and context.
References:
- OMS. 2018. La salud sexual y su relación con la salud reproductiva: un enfoque operativo. [Internet]. Visit August 2024. Available at: 9789243512884-spa.pdf (who.int)
- Gobierno de México. 2022. Diferencias entre salud sexual y salud reproductiva. [Internet]. Visit August 2024. Available at: Diferencias entre salud sexual y salud reproductiva | Consejo Nacional de Población | Gobierno | gob.mx (www.gob.mx)
- Centro Nacional de Equidad de Género y Salud Reproductiva. 2022. Programa de salud sexual y reproductiva de los adolescentes. [Internet]. Visit August 2024. Available at: https://www.gob.mx/salud/cnegsr/acciones-y-programas/programa-de-salud-sexual-y-reproductiva-de-los-adolescentes
- SEGOB. Diario Oficial de la Federación. Norma Oficial Mexicana 046-SSA2-2005 Violencia familiar, sexual y contra las mujeres. Criterios para la prevención y atención. [Internet]. Visit August 2024. Available at: https://www.gob.mx/conapo/documentos/norma-oficial-mexicana-046-ssa2-2005-violencia-familiar-sexual-y-contra-las-mujeres-criterios-para-la-prevencion-y-atencion#:~:text=Criterios%20para%20la%20prevenci%C3%B3n%20y%20atenci%C3%B3n%20
- Comité promotor de cartilla de derechos sexuales y reproductivos. 2016. Cartilla de derechos sexuales de adolescentes y jóvenes. [Internet]. Visit August 2024. Available at: cartilla_derechos_sexuales_2020.pdf (misderechossexuales.com)
- Centro Nacional de Equidad de Género y Salud Reproductiva. 2024. Servicios Amigables para Adolescentes. [Internet]. Visit August 2024. Available at: Servicios Amigables para Adolescentes | Centro Nacional de Equidad de Género y Salud Reproductiva | Gobierno | gob.mx (www.gob.mx)
- AHF México. 2024. [Internet]. Visit August 2024. Available at: AHF México – Prueba de VIH Gratuita
- Mendieta D. 2024. Cuida tu salud sexual con los servicios GRATUITOS de la Clínica Condesa, así puedes sacar cita. Dinero en Imagen. [Internet]. Visit August 2024. Available at: https://www.gob.mx/censida/es/articulos/la-clinica-especializada-condesa-un-bien-publico-de-interes-estrategico?idiom=es