We love to share good news, and today we have the best news! Today, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Opill, a brand of progestin-only birth control pill, sold over the counter, with no age restriction. With many states working to decriminalize reproductive rights, this change will greatly increase access to birth control for those who need it.
We have answers to the most common questions we hear about getting birth control pills over the counter. If you have any other questions or just want to join the celebration, come find us on social @Bedsider.
What are over-the-counter (OTC) birth control pills?
Getting the birth control pill over the counter means you can buy it without ever talking to a health care provider. You can get the pill right off the shelf at drug stores and other retail locations, perhaps next to condoms and lube. The only difference between getting a birth control pill over the counter and getting it with a prescription is how you get it. They work the same way. Whether you get the pill over the counter or with a prescription, it’s a pill you take once a day that works by releasing hormones to prevent pregnancy before it starts. The birth control pill is NOT an abortion pill, nor is it emergency contraception.
Will all birth control pills be available over the counter?
Nope. Right now, there is only one brand pill that is approved for sale over the counter without a prescription. It’s called Opill and it’s a progestin-only birth control pill, or mini-pill. You take a pill every day, and it releases a small amount of progestin into your body to prevent pregnancy. Opill has no estrogen in it, so almost anyone can use it safely. There is another type and brand of birth control pill that contains estrogen and progestin that is in the process of becoming available OTC, but it may be several years before that happens.
Why do we need OTC birth control pills?
So many reasons! Getting your birth control pills OTC means you can start and stop using them on your own, allowing you to avoid pregnancy on your own terms. Getting the pill OTC can also save you time and money because you don’t have to see a doctor to get them. They are just as safe as other over-the-counter medications (which is why the FDA has approved them for OTC use!). The largest medical associations such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the American Medical Association, and the American Academy of Family Physicians agree that birth control should be available over the counter. Also, birth control pills have been available OTC worldwide for decades.
Can I get OTC birth control pills now?
Not yet. While Opill is approved for sale over the counter, you can’t actually go to the store and get it yet. Now that it’s approved, manufacturers need to work to make it affordable and accessible for everyone. We don’t yet know when it will be available (or exactly how much it will cost), but you can follow @Bedsider on social for updates on OTC pills (and more!).
What can I do if I need birth control pills now?
There are so many birth control options you can access today, including those available OTC without a prescription and those you can order and have delivered to your door! And you can still get a prescription for your birth control pills from a health care provider. Our method explorer is a great place to learn about all your birth control options and find the method you want right now. And if you’re ready to access your birth control pill OTC, follow us on social @Bedsider and we’ll let you know as soon as it’s available!
