Why Jennifer Lawrence is an advocate for Planned Parenthood

Jennifer Lawrence is backing Planned Parenthood for a very personal reason. Photo / Getty

Actress Jennifer Lawrence will always be thankful to Planned Parenthood officials for giving her birth control as a teenager.

The 25-year-old actress grew up in a strict household and fears she would have become a young mum had it not been for the non-profit organisation's efforts to provide reproductive health services.

"My mum was really religious with me when I was young," the Hunger Games star told Glamour magazine.

"She's not so much anymore. And I wouldn't have been able to get birth control if it weren't for Planned P. I wouldn't have been able to get condoms and birth control and all these things I needed as a normal teenager ..." Lawrence said.

As a result, the Oscar-winning actress has become a huge advocate for the organisation, and she was shocked and dismayed when a clinic in Colorado was attacked in November by a gunman opposed to family planning.

The attack cost three people their lives and left nine others seriously injured.

The alleged shooter, Robert Lewis Dear, 57, has since appeared in court accused of the crime.

Lawrence, who has never been afraid of speaking out on issues which are important to her, added, "It's so awful It isn't an attack on abortions; it's an attack on women. Because Planned Parenthood is so much more.

"Seriously, what harm comes from supplying people with birth control, condoms, Pap smears, and cancer screenings?" she asked.

Lawrence admitted she no longer needs contraception as she's a "virgin" again, having been single for so long.

"I'm picky," she admitted. "I feel a spark very, very rarely. And it's really only about spark for me. Not really anything else. You should see some of the people I find attractive.
You'd be shocked."

The Hunger Games actress previously dated British actor Nicholas Hoult, and last year was linked to Coldplay frontman Chris Martin.

- AAP