Do you think the upcoming over the counter birth control pill will be a good thing for women in the US?

[Anonymous]

The FDA just recently approved an over the counter birth control pill called Opill that will be available for all women next year without a prescription. With anti-abortionists pushing more and more laws that are making abortion illegal in the US, women's health advocates are calling this a much needed win for women everywhere in being able to take charge of their own health and bodies.

Many advocates say that having an OTC birth control pill will prevent issues like women without insurance being unable to afford birth control, women having easier, and in some cases, more local access to BC, and prevent the stigma in families/religion/culture around birth control because young women in particular will be able to access it on their own. They also say it continues to be an illusion that people will just stop having sex or that abstinence lessons taught by families or in school will just magically prevent women from getting pregnant (it's never worked) considering that roughly 50% of all pregnancies in the US are considered unintended.

[Whatthefluff]

I’m really glad to hear this. The pill is so frequently used that I’ve always found it crazy for it to not be OTC. Making this more accessible is going to help countless individuals.
For those who say it’s not a good idea because of side effects, the potential for side effects are common knowledge, should be shared in directions for use packet, and it can be stopped at any time.

[Asker]

Right, I mean how many years have cigarettes had dire warnings on packages about side affects up to and including death, and yet, people still smoke so as long as one can read, you take on the risks and that goes for literally all OTC meds even Tylenol. Warnings on that too, but we don't prevent people from taking it. Add to that other countries as noted by several users, already have OTC birth control, so unless women are somehow magically different in the US, it shouldn't be too hard to grasp reading a warning label.

[Whatthefluff]

Iit’s a copout raison de ne être

[236color]

It shouldn't be, but the stupidity of people will astound you. All in all though, I think the potential good out weights the bad.

[236color]

Yes and no. Yes because it will be less expensive and more accessible. No because birth control pills are more complicated than aspirin. People tend to not follow instructions, doses are not universal. As 2 examples from my service as a Hospital Corpsman in the Navy will illustrate. First, a young woman came in one Saturday morning complaining of vaginal bleeding after sex. Being sexually inexperienced myself, I asked if it was her 1st time, which it was not. The Dr diagnosed "estrogen breakthrough bleeding" ie the hormone levels in her bcps were to low. Second, one of my fellow Corpsman had returned from leave after marrying her hometown boyfriend. We were working the overnight shift in the ER. She kept trying to get the Dr to write her a script for birth control. He didn't want to do it because the rules said he wasn't supposed to unless she had a current paper smear, which she didn't. Finally in frustration she said "Come on hurry up, he's going to be here tomorrow!". She thought that taking a pill that night would protect her from pregnancy the following day, (it would not). This was a fellow health care worker. So I do see problems with over the counter birth control, but with all the assholes trying to control women's sexually, sadly it probably necessary.

[madhatters4]

yes. access to birth control can only be seen as a good thing. currently prescription drugs creates a barrier to lower income people and those without health and/or prescription drug coverage. those two qualifiers should not disqualify someone from having access to contraception.

[madhatters4]

even if you have health insurance the costs to get birth control can mount up with a doctors visit then trip to the pharmacy where you generally are going to pay there as well. at least otc access eliminates one element of the financial burden

i guess the only thing that may cause concern is if the birth control is appropriate and safe for all women... i imagine if it is OTC the FDA and medical bodies have figured that part out though

[Asker]

It's been FDA approved, but as with any medication side affects vary and BC can't be mixed with other methods of birth control---but they've actually tested some as young as 13 to see if they were able to comprehend instructions and stuff for various OTC medications and as long as they could read, there was no issue. Now whether they adhere to them or anyone for that matter, depends on the person. As far as cost, they are leaving it up to the manufacturers, so unfortunately it may not be cheap or reasonably priced in comparison to prescribed pills, because if you're the only pill out there that is OTC, you charge what you want.

[madhatters4]

i know it's FDA approved. I was more saying if the FDA feels it can be available OTC rather than with prescription then i would trust that it is safe to receive without an MD's script.

i imagine they'll have to make the costs reasonable (reasonable in terms of pharma drug prices which is generally not reasonable) , as most OTCs are, otherwise people will just go through their MD to get the prescription

[madhatters4]

thanks for MHO

[whirled_up_girl]

I see it as a good thing. This version of the pill doesn’t have estrogen in it so it has much fewer heath risks than the combination pills. No medication or supplement is without risks but in this case the benefit outweighs the risks in my opinion. I also like the idea of girls and women using this hormonal form of birth control regularly than emergency contraception regularly. Hopefully it will be reasonably priced.

[Lliam]

Finally! Why not? I think it's great.
When I was in high school, there were "free clinics" where all kinds of services were available, including the pill. I don't know if places like that are still around, especially in certain parts of the country (U. S.).
I think people should have access to contraception.

[Asker]

Agreed. If the US is saying abortions are wrong, then let women prevent pregnancy on their own alongside other contraceptive measures.

[molonski2]

Anybody can buy here over the counter , just as they can buy viagra or whatever else it is they want , of course you should be able to buy over the counter , Australia has this outdated system too , ludicrous , it sure should be available , like " morning after " is , just dont miss a day.

[May1787]

No. I don’t. I think it could be if they are followed by a doctor but there are so many side effects, even the possibility of death, and so I don’t think it should be taken without the prescription of a doctor.
Should it be free is a different question.

[monorprise]

There is a difference between preventing conception and killing an already conceived baby. Anything that simply prevents conception is not harming anther person, where as abortion is.

That said as a policy matter the birth control pill is an unmitigated disaster for civilization that we may never recover from.

[stepyo99]

It amazes me how eager women are to fuck up their hormones and brain chemistry just so they can ride the cock carousel consequence-free. No wonder women are more depressed and miserable than ever. They treat themselves like fuck meat and wonder why men view them the same way.

[Jendcheuebc]

Women have other reasons for taking birth control other than having sex…our system is complex. Some of us suffer from severe depression and heavy periods, endometriosis, PCOS, etc. I’m not sexually active at all and I take it for the reason listed above. Personally it’s so expensive to have so many apps with my doctors and the prescriptions are expensive too. I’m glad there is access to otc now in case I can’t get to the doctors office.

[Anonymous]

There is only 1 control method that is 100% effective and another great thing about it is it’s completely free for all - it’s called don’t have sex if you don’t want a baby. How it works is this: Don’t have sex with a person of the opposite sex. There. Done. Simple right?

[Kori1236]

Most birth controls are covered here in Canada. OTC and IUDs are free and easily accessible. I personally used the Depo shot previously and even without insurance it was $50 for a shot that lasts 3 months.

[Surely]

Most prescription drugs that are released to be OTC usually cost more money than if you had insurance that covered it.
I heard that the formula is different from the prescription drug.
How well is this OTC medication tested?
For everyone’s sake. Hope it works!

[Astarlessnightsky]

Bad thing, because you need a doctor to tell you about side effects, if it mixes with other medicines, other alternatives...

If you just buy it in any store without consultation you may get various results.

[NotInterestedSorry]

When do doctors tells patients about the side effects? I live in Australia and it has always been mostly the pharmacist who have told patients about the side effects.

[Astarlessnightsky]

If your doctor doesn't do this, Its a bad doctor. Doctors should always consider side effects and wether one drug works good with other drugs.

[NotInterestedSorry]

They do but pharmacist are more qualified when it comes to medications and the side effects. We have medications like the morning after pill you can buy over the counter but you have to ask the pharmacist for them first do they can warn you of the side effects

[Anonymous]

I wonder how much it will cost? I am interested because I couldn't see my obgyn due to lack of funds so I think this could be a good thing for those that can't afford seeing their doctor just to get a prescription.

[electromagnetic]

Canada already has over the counter options and many places offer IUD option free of charge.

[chicken_nugget24]

The UK has this also ❤️

[hahahmm]

The thing that would dry women up is giving men the legal right to disown any child that a woman decided to have against his wishes. I bet unplanned pregnancies would go down by 98%

[front2back]

Considering the mental health effects and possible negative health effects has on young women, probably not. If one wants to use contraceptives condoms already exist and protect against STDs as well, a worsening health problem in the USA.

[midnightmoon05]

No. I don’t use any.
I don’t like a drug so small to change my body.
the effect it has for our off spring.

[Alli39]

Lowkey, where's the downside to this? It's affordable, accessible birth control which is wonderful.

[sheikalana]

It's already been like this in Europe for a looooong time. I personally do not encourage anyone to be on the pill unless prescribed by a doctor.

[Raaj4you]

I am surprised. Most of the medicines are OTC in India including birth control pills. Nobody is afraid of the laws. Abortion is also legal in India.

[inhua]

abstinence does prevent pregnancy though

you can't get pregnant if you don't have sex

[chicken_nugget24]

We got a over the counter pill in the UK, in 2021. Its called Hana ❤️