The recent FDA approval of the first over-the-counter birth control pill in the U.S. is a significant milestone for women’s reproductive health and rights. It could help Gen Z and Millennials by:
• Increasing access to contraception for those who face barriers to getting a prescription, such as lack of insurance, transportation, time, or privacy.
• Reducing the risk of unintended pregnancies, which account for almost half of the 6.1 million pregnancies in the U.S. each year
• Empowering women and girls to make their own decisions about their reproductive health and family planning. However, there are also some potential challenges and limitations to consider, such as:
• Cost of the over-the-counter pill, which may not be covered by insurance and could be unaffordable for some people.
• Safety of the over-the-counter pill, which may not be suitable for some women with certain medical conditions or history of breast cancer
• Availability of the over-the-counter pill, which is expected to be on store shelves only by early 2024. The approval only applies to one brand of pill, Opill, which is an older type of progestin-only pill that may have less efficacy and more side effects than newer combination pills.
Therefore, it is important for women and girls who are interested in using the over-the-counter birth control pill to consult with their health care providers, read the instructions carefully, and use the pill as directed. They should also consider other contraceptive options and methods of STI prevention that may suit their needs better.
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