The Pill is currently available by prescription only, and a debate has emerged about whether the birth control pill should be available over-the-counter (OTC), which means the Pill would be available along with other drugs such as Tylenol and Benadryl in drug store aisles. Affordable for … Dtsch Arztebl Int. [76] The most recent data states that only 0.4% of American reproductive-aged women take progestin-only birth control pills, or about 2% of all women who take the Pill. Over-the-counter birth control wouldn’t be possible for methods that require insertion or administration by someone like a doctor, such as IUDs, the arm implant, and the birth control shot. The sponge was taken off the market in 1995 but is now available again as an over-the-counter birth control option. However, Pap smears are now recommended every three years instead of every year, and only after a woman has turned 21. [54]. Most over-the-counter contraception is considered to be barrier methods, meaning that these OTC birth control options work by blocking sperm from fertilizing an egg. Drugs Switched from Prescription to Over-the-Counter Status, Prescription Status of Birth Control Pills around the World. Most effort is focused on making the progestin-only (also called POP or minipills) OTC, rather than the estrogen and progestin pills (also called combination pills). An over-the-counter (OTC) birth control pill is finally on the horizon. With the Obamacare birth control mandate, insured women, who account for 89% of American women, can access free birth control. 2. Further, at least 14% of women on the Pill are using the drug exclusively for noncontraceptive reasons, such as acne and irregular menstrual cycles. Then, you insert the sponge into your vagina before having sex. [66] [67] The birth control in these cases is covered by insurance. An accessible, available over-the-counter birth control pill isn’t everything though! In this scenario, an additional 11 to 21 percent of low-income women would start using the pill, resulting in an estimated seven to 25 percent decrease in unintended pregnancies. The same survey found that 28% of women using no birth control and 32.7% of women using a less effective form of birth control would use OTC Pills, a market of about 11 million women. 17.1% of American women aged 15-44 use birth control pills compared to 8.8% of women worldwide using hormonal birth control pills. Last modified on November 15, 2018. Experts agree that over-the-counter birth control pills would generally be safe, with the benefits outweighing the possible risks. The judge in the court case Tummino vs.Hamburg ruled that the morning-after pill can now be sold over-the-counter without any age requirements. [77], The FDA notes the side effects of the Pill include changes in sexual desire, bleeding between periods, sore breasts, headaches, and nausea. They're also a great over-the-counter birth control option to use while having sex in the water. Spermicide is an over-the-counter birth control method that comes in different forms like foams, film, creams, suppositories, and jellies. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2016.0011, Burke AE, Barnhart K, Jensen JT, et al. The new legislation would ensure that the FDA approves “without delay” birth control pills to be sold over the counter and require that such pills be covered by insurance without cost-sharing, such as deductibles or copays. It contains the progestin levonorgestrel and should be taken within 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex or birth control failure—the sooner you take it, the better. “Over-the-counter hormonal birth control would be a step toward greater access to an essential component of women’s health care and give adolescents and … Over-the-counter means that they can be purchased without a prescription. Over-the-counter (OTC) birth control options were minimal and hard to find. [74], Journalist Sarah Elizabeth Richards points out, “Women visiting their pharmacists won’t have access to the most reliable forms of birth control on the market because those methods, such as implantable rods or intrauterine devices (IUDs), will still require a trip to a doctor’s office.” [75], And, even within birth control pill brands, choice will be limited. [64] But, 99% of those teens would continue having sex. Ibis Reproductive Health, a nonprofit organization working to improve women’s reproductive autonomy, announced last month that it is partnering with HRA Pharma, a European pharmaceutical company, to help make a birth control pill available over-the-counter. The morning-after pill is NOT the same thing as the abortion pill, and it will NOT harm an existing pregnancy. California, Maryland, and DC even allow 12-month supplies to be dispensed at once, which has been found to reduce unintended pregnancies by 30% and the odds of an abortion by 46%. 2010;116(6):1265–1273. The Presentation, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections. Plan B One-Step and other emergency contraception pills are available without a prescription and share the same active ingredient as daily birth control pills, levonorgestrel, but in a higher dose. 5. Jeffrey A Singer, MD, Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute, noted that moving birth control to OTC status could make the Pill less expensive by selling the drug directly to consumers rather than through third-party insurance companies that inflate the prices. OTC birth control pills would also be more convenient, eliminating the need for a woman to make a doctor’s appointment, take time off work, and rearrange her schedule. Keep in mind that over-the-counter birth control product selection will differ from store to store. However, not all morning-after pill brands can be bought OTC. [27] [28] [29], Alison Block, MD, physician, said: “My main philosophy as someone who provides reproductive health care is to trust women to make their own decisions. Under the Affordable Care Act, insurance plans are already required to cover any contraception approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved from https://birth-control.procon.org/, ProCon.org. With so many options and varieties, it may be fun to be a little adventurous. For example, you need a prescription to buy Ella, a newer type of morning-after pill that consists of one ulipristal acetate (30 mg) pill. Why would you take that risk?” [59], If the Pill is prescribed, the doctor or pharmacist can tell the patient about any possible interactions and prevent bad drug combinations. This is a result of teenagers being more likely to utilize over the counter birth control since taking the pill is an everyday routine and isn’t attached to the emotional weight of sex. [49], Robin Marty, health writer, noted that because the more effective options “would require a doctor’s visit and the Pill would just require a trip to the store, women may be inclined to use less effective contraception for the sake of convenience.” [50], The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists stated, “adolescents need special attention at every visit for contraceptive services, including comprehensive counseling about sexuality, sexually transmitted disease and emergency contraception.” [51]. Birth control is an essential part of women’s health care, and over-the-counter status would help more women benefit from the ability to control their own reproductive health.” [41], At least 89 major medical and rights organizations support making the Pill OTC, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Academy of Family Physicians, the ACLU, National Women’s Law Center, and Planned Parenthood. Also, Next Choice (the generic 2 pill form of the old Plan B) can only be sold OTC if you are 17 years old or older—you need a prescription to buy Next Choice if you are under 17. Over-the-counter birth control methods are reliable, effective, and approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Should all Americans have the right (be entitled) to health care? OTC Birth Control Pills. (This new law also covers birth control injections and vaginal rings, plus there's no age minimul like there is in Oregon and Washington, which also sells OTC birth control. Spermicide should be placed deep into the vagina right before sex. Many people may prefer to keep their contraceptive use between them and their doctors. Below are the proper citations for this page according to four style manuals (in alphabetical order): the Modern Language Association Style Manual (MLA), the Chicago Manual of Style (Chicago), the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA), and Kate Turabian's A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (Turabian). [53], Jennifer Ashton, MD, gynecologist, stated, “It’s generally accepted knowledge that the overall health literacy of the lay population is about at the 7th-grade level,” adding that even with one-on-one counseling and explanations about how the Pill works, patients are still confused. It also does not offer protection against sexually transmitted infections. Gallery of drug ads from Baldwin’s Nervous Pills (1883) to Anheuser Busch Malt Tonic (1918) to Thorazine (1962) and more. Drugs that can interfere with birth control pills include the antibiotic rifampin, many anti-HIV drugs, some anti-fungal medications, some anti-seizure drugs, the stimulant modafinil, many drugs to treat epilepsy, some medications for bipolar disorder, and many herbal remedies including flaxseed and St. John’s wort. [25], 62.5% of women surveyed said birth control reduces stress, 56.3% said it helps working women continue to work, 49.0% said it helped women get an education, and 48.7% said it led to more stable relationships with partners. The Pill is currently available by prescription only, and a debate has emerged about whether the birth control pill should be available over-the-counter (OTC), which means the Pill would be available along with other drugs such as Tylenol and Benadryl in drug store aisles. Condoms are also one of the few birth control methods that can help protect against sexually transmitted infections. Interest in Over-the-Counter Access. Female condoms are made from polyurethane. The “morning-after pill,” better known as Plan B, is already available over the counter in America. You can buy spermicide as a cream, foam, film, gel, tablet, or suppository. The pill can also be taken to help reduce heavy menstrual periods, treat the symptoms of acne, and ease specific reproductive system issues. School Uniforms – Should Students Have to Wear School Uniforms? Among birth control methods, the Pill ranks seventh in effectiveness. What You Should Know When Buying Plan B One-Step, Surgical and Non-Surgical Contraceptive Options for Overweight Women, Birth Control Pills and High Blood Pressure, Must Know Tips About Where to Get the Morning-After Pill, What to Consider When Choosing Birth Control. You may want to try using female condoms if you or your partner are allergic to latex. Surveys repeatedly have demonstrated interest among adolescents and adult women in over-the-counter access to oral contraceptives 3 11 12.A 2011 national survey about views on over-the-counter oral contraceptives queried 2,046 women aged 18–44 years who are sexually active with a male partner and who reported they do not desire pregnancy. It may take some practice when it comes to using female condoms. Covered by insurance. Oncotarget. If you're too embarrassed to check out your local family planning aisle, or if you can't get to a store, you can also buy OTC birth control online. In those states, a pharmacist is required to ask the patient a few questions, notes blood pressure and weight, and dispenses birth control from behind the pharmacy counter. It covers the cervix (opening to the uterus) so it blocks sperm from entering. Illegal Immigration – What Are the Solutions to Illegal Immigration in America? [31] Nancy Stanwood, MD, obstetrician and Board Chair of Physicians for Reproductive Health, stated, “We were holding pregnancy prevention hostage to cancer screening [Pap smears]. This could also be the opportunity to try a new OTC birth control product or brand. [26], Hormonal birth control pills also reduce or prevent anemia, irregular or heavy menstrual cycles, bone thinning, endometriosis, fibroids, acne, ectopic pregnancies, breast and ovarian cysts, premenstrual syndrome (PMS), menstrual migraines, pelvic inflammatory disease, and infections in the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus. They’re both worthwhile goals, but one should not be held hostage to the other.” [31], Women can sort out for themselves whether hormonal birth control is right for them. Over-the-Counter (OTC) birth control would increase access for low-income and medically underserved populations. [64] Teens want their contraceptive use kept private and accessing birth control in the middle of a pharmacy where they might run into a neighbor or teacher could stop some teens from preventing pregnancy. Yet all women will be changed by these drugs. Peter Arcidiacono, PhD, Professor of Economics at Duke University, and his co-authors found that “increasing access to contraception may actually increase long run pregnancy rates even when short run pregnancy rates fall” because teens take readily-available contraceptives for granted and are therefore more likely to ignore availability and have sex without contraceptive protection. Birth control pills do have serious and sometimes fatal contraindications, meaning not every woman should take them. These plastic pouches have flexible rings at each end. Who is the author? [39] [40], The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) stated: “ACOG has long supported over-the-counter access to oral contraceptives. As a woman’s body changes so does her reaction to the pill. Some are transgender or gender-nonconforming… The list goes on.” [63]. The idea that they have to [have a] conversation with a doctor to decide which method is best for them seems overly paternalistic and unnecessary.” [30], Often, doctors will only prescribe birth control pills once a patient has visited and had a pelvic exam. [32] The Border Contraceptive Access Study found that women who got the Pill OTC from a pharmacy in Mexico were adequately self-screening for contraindications. Contraindications for birth control pills include women over 35 years old, women who smoke, who have a history of diabetes, heart disease, blood clots, cancer, stroke, liver disease, high blood pressure, migraines (and migraines with aura), or bladder disease. In general, prices for over-the-counter birth control methods can vary from store to store, but usually, they only differ by a couple of dollars. Of 135 countries for which data are available, 96 countries representing 80.33% of the global population have OTC birth control access. Insurance covers some of these prescriptions, and all that is generally required is a brief consultation to assess risks and appropriate medication, sometimes by video chat. You can get them for free at all sorts of places including clinics and health centers. Condoms. Published 2018 Oct 2. doi:10.18632/oncotarget.26015, Ⓒ 2021 About, Inc. (Dotdash) — All rights reserved. If birth control pills were available on pharmacy aisles, purchases would be public and subject to the judgment and gossip of anyone in sight. Moving the Pill over-the-counter would eliminate the insurance companies as middle-man between women and the Pill, thus making the drugs less expensive. [30] Only the drug manufacturer can initiate this process with the FDA, who decides on the prescription or OTC status of a drug based on applications submitted voluntarily by the manufacturers. You Can Prevent Pregnancies With More Than Just the Pill, Why Wearing Two Condoms Is Absolutely Not Better Than Wearing One, The 8 Best Birth Control Delivery Services of 2021, Another Morning After Pill You Should Know About, What You Need to Know About Using the Morning-After Pill, Discover How Exactly a Cervical Cap Works, use a female condom and a male condom at the same time, Next Choice One Dose (Generic to Plan B One-Step), The Presentation, Diagnosis, and Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections, Contraceptive efficacy, acceptability, and safety of C31G and nonoxynol-9 spermicidal gels: a randomized controlled trial, The clinical relevance of progestogens in hormonal contraception: Present status and future developments. To be extra safe, buy emergency contraception ahead of time, just in case birth control failure happens or you forget to use birth control. Should prescription drugs be advertised directly to consumers? [66] A study found that 68% of women would use birth control if it were available via a pharmacist and 63% agreed the pharmacist consultation was an important step. Most American women favor making the birth control pill accessible over the counter. [17] The Guttmacher Institute estimates that $15.5 billion dollars could have been saved if the unintended pregnancies had been prevented. They collect semen before, during, and after ejaculation so they prevent sperm from entering the vagina. So if you want to buy over-the-counter birth control, you'll need a way to get to the store and money to pay. Read more background…, Between 9 and 10.6 million American women use the birth control pill. Opponents say making the Pill over-the-counter would raise the cost of contraception for women, pose a danger to teens’ and women’s health by removing the doctor’s visit requirement, and limit what options are made available. Here are the proper bibliographic citations for this page according to four style manuals (in alphabetical order): [Editor's Note: The APA citation style requires double spacing within entries. Our review strongly suggests that giving teens easier access to various contraceptives will not lead to more sex but would result in fewer unwanted pregnancies… [and] any future over-the-counter pill has the potential to benefit teens.” [21], In a survey of women seeking abortions, 72% said they were pregnant because they could not get the contraception they needed, and 32% reported an institutional reason such as the prescription requirement. [38], Getting birth control by prescription has several associated costs that would be eliminated with OTC status, including co-pays for doctor’s visits and time taken off work to go to the doctor. The examination generally includes a pap smear (the test for cervical cancer that may be combined with HPV screening), a breast exam, and pelvic exam that, among other things, screens for ovarian cancer and STIs. Death Penalty – Should the Death Penalty Be Allowed? To be sure, making birth control pills available over the counter (OTC) would improve access for some groups of people by eliminating the barrier of having to see a doctor to get a prescription. Medical Marijuana – Should Marijuana Be a Medical Option? You may also be able to pay for the product online and then pick it up at the store. [3] The National Latina Institute of Reproductive Health stated: “over-the-counter access will greatly reduce the systemic barriers, like poverty, immigration status and language, that currently prevent Latinas from regularly accessing birth control and results in higher rates of unintended pregnancy.” [14], Other medically underserved communities, such as LGBT+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and others) people, are more than twice as likely to be uninsured (15% of all LGBT+ compared to 7% of non-LGBT+ people) and more likely to face discrimination in the healthcare industry, resulting in less or no reproductive healthcare. Lawmakers cannot change the status of a drug from prescription to OTC. That being said, OTC contraception ranges from being 72 percent to 98 percent effective. [48] Kelly Cleland, MPA, MPH, Research Specialist at Columbia University stated, “When the generics [of Plan B] were about to go onto the shelves I thought there might be a price war that would push the cost down. Additionally, these yearly exams are a good opportunity to check in with the doctor about general wellness and other preventative screenings. Drug makers to date have little interest in going through the process to make a drug over-the-counter because it can take a long time and the costs are significant. Accessed January 14, 2021. https://birth-control.procon.org/. 1. Further, any decision involving birth control can be politically controversial. Of those, 9.1 million (12.6% of contraceptive users) use birth control pills, which are the second most commonly used method of contraception in the United States after female sterilization (aka tubal ligation or “getting your tubes tied”). There are no age requirements, so anybody can buy over-the-counter birth control. When you're looking for birth control online, remember that some methods are only sold in the stores while other methods may only be sold online. [60] [61], When the Pill is available by prescription only, a doctor usually requires a well woman exam every one or three years in order to obtain or maintain a birth control prescription. (2018, November 15). Some face religious and social backlash for buying pills in full view of their pharmacist and people from their community… Some are young and under a certain state’s law can’t purchase birth control without a parent’s consent. [17], Only 5% of unintended pregnancies have happened while the woman used effective birth control consistently. 2018;9(77):34628–34638. Over-the-counter means that they can be purchased without a prescription. The morning-after pill consists of one pill and was approved by the FDA specifically for emergency contraception. When used by itself, spermicide is not as effective as other over-the-counter birth control methods. 4. The use of birth control pills to prevent pregnancy is a mode favored by many women. What Is the Most Effective OTC Birth Control Method? The FDA-approved contraceptive methods that would not be available over-the-counter include IUDs (both copper and with progestin), the implantable rod, and shots such as Depo-Provera, plus sterilization procedures, all of which the FDA states are more effective than the Pill. The Affordable Care Act does not require insurance companies to cover over-the-counter birth control like condoms, sponges and spermicide. The sponge is a soft, round, barrier device that's about two inches in diameter. Anita Sadaty, MD, is a board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist at North Shore University Hospital and founder of Redefining Health Medical. [46], Stuart O. Schweitzer, PhD, UCLA Professor of Health Policy and Management, stated that OTC is “more expensive to consumers than a prescribed drug that’s covered by insurance.” [47], Before Plan B emergency contraception went OTC, the drug cost about $12 for the brand name and $5 for the generic for women using Medicaid. [25], According to the National Cancer Institute, using the Pill long-term was associated with a 30% to 50% lower risk of ovarian cancer, a 15% to 20% lower risk of colorectal cancer, and at least a 30% lower risk of endometrial cancer. For example: Just DO NOT use a female condom and a male condom at the same time. [62] That’s at least 1.5 million women [62] who could be self-diagnosing medical conditions in a drug store aisle without medical help. [69] Some services deliver the birth control to the patient, eliminating the need to stop by a pharmacy. Currently, the only available over-the-counter contraceptives are non-hormonal methods like condoms and spermicide. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists endorsed over-the-counter birth control in 2012, arguing that it could improve access and … Proponents say making the birth control pill available over-the-counter would lower teen pregnancy rates, provide contraceptive access to medically underserved women, and ease access to a health-improving drug with decades of safe use. Gun Control – Should More Gun Control Laws Be Enacted? Several women’s health and equality groups advocate that birth control should be available OTC. 59% of sexually active teen girls would rather stop getting all reproductive health care services than have to tell their parents about their contraceptive use. Some teens may mistakenly believe that they are at a lower risk of pregnancy just because they have access to OTC birth control, even though they may be taking it incorrectly. [18] A study comparing Pill use between women who obtained Pills with a prescription from an El Paso, Texas, clinic and women who obtained Pills OTC from Mexico showed that the women who got Pills OTC were more likely to continuously use the medication. Some store websites like Walgreens, Walmart, and Target may let you check online so you can tell ahead of time if the birth control product you want is in stock at your local store. Since 1976, more than 90 drugs have switched from prescription to OTC status, including Sudafed (1976), Advil (1984), Rogaine (1996), … [33], 62.2% of women surveyed indicated that they were in favor of OTC Pills. [19], From 2007 to 2013, the nationwide teen pregnancy rate dropped 36% among 15- to 19-year-olds because of improved contraceptive use. [1] Unintended pregnancies cost the US federal and state governments $21 billion in 2010, the newest numbers available at the time of publication, with the average cost-per-birth being $12,770 for prenatal care, labor and delivery, postpartum care, and 12 months of infant care ($20,716 for 60 months). As of now, the only available over-the-counter birth control pills are for emergency contraception. How to Get Over-The-Counter Birth Control Uninsured women, about 11% of US women ages 19 to 64, paid $370 on average for a year’s worth of Pills (about $30.83 per month), which was 68% of their total healthcare spending for the year, and about 51 hours of work for someone making the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. Birth Control Pills: Often referred to as 'the pill,' birth control pills are a form of hormonal contraception. But that really hasn’t happened, and I don’t see a sign that it will.” [48], The birth control pill is not the most effective form of birth control. Getting any medication over the counter may mean that it’s not covered by insurance. Mandatory National Service – Should the United States Have Mandatory National Service? All rights reserved. Birth control is just as safe, if not safer, than many over-the-counter medications, and reproductive health advocates have argued for years that it should be available over-the-counter as well. Of the 72.2 million American women of reproductive age, 64.9% use a contraceptive. HRA Pharma, a French pharmaceutical company, has recently formed a partnership with the nonprofit research organization Ibis Reproductive Health to conduct the research needed to prepare and submit a new drug application for an OTC progestin-only pill to the FDA. Morning-after pill brands available over-the-counter: Sign up for our Health Tip of the Day newsletter, and receive daily tips that will help you live your healthiest life. [24], A majority of American women–54%–agree that having access to birth control has health benefits. Even some of the most commonly used over-the-counter medications, like acetaminophen and aspirin, can cause negative health effects in some people. 11-21% of sexually active low-income women studied were more likely to use the Pill if it were available OTC. 60% of American women use some sort of contraception. The sponge also releases a spermicide that can kill sperm. [1] [2] The Pill carries no risk of overdose or addiction. [54]. Animal Testing – Should Animals Be Used for Scientific or Commercial Testing? The pill’s repression of vital bodily functions that leads to ill health can build in such a way that years later a woman becomes very sick but can not make the connection.” [78], Lara Briden, ND, a naturopathic doctor, emphasized these concerns are bigger for teens: “Making hormones is not easy. Since 1976, more than 90 drugs have switched from prescription to OTC status, including Sudafed (1976), Advil (1984), Rogaine (1996), Prilosec (2003), and Allegra (2011). [38], Uninsured women may also save money by eliminating the insurance companies as middle-man. Condoms can be made of latex, polyurethane (plastic), natural membrane (lambskin), or polyisoprene (non-latex natural rubber). The female condom can also be helpful in protecting against many sexually transmitted diseases. It will then melt (except for contraceptive foam, which forms bubbles) to form a barrier against sperm. [25], Research supports these women’s conclusions, because state laws that allowed early access to the Pill (17 or 18 years old, instead of 21) are linked to higher women’s college graduation and employment rates, increased earning power, narrowed gender pay gap, and longer lasting marriages. Offer protection against sexually transmitted otc birth control options that can take a few years to become.! 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