How does the new over-the-counter birth control pill, Opill, work to prevent pregnancy? 5 questions answered

The Food and Drug Administration’s July 13, 2023, approval of the first over-the-counter birth control pill, called Opill, broadens the options for people seeking to prevent pregnancy.

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https://theconversation.com/how-does-the-new-over-the-counter-birth-control-pill-opill-work-to-prevent-pregnancy-5-questions-answered-209801https://theconversation.com/how-does-the-new-over-the-counter-birth-control-pill-opill-work-to-prevent-pregnancy-5-questions-answered-209801
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星期三, 七月 19, 2023
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摘要
Key Points: 
  • The Food and Drug Administration’s July 13, 2023, approval of the first over-the-counter birth control pill, called Opill, broadens the options for people seeking to prevent pregnancy.
  • When Opill becomes available, presumably in the first quarter of 2024, it will be sold in grocery and convenience stores, in pharmacies and through online retailers.

1. How does Opill work to prevent pregnancy?

    • Opill, like many other progestin-only birth control pills, must be taken at the same time each day to prevent pregnancy.
    • This is because progestin has to stay at a certain level in the body in order to effectively prevent pregnancy.
    • Opill does not prevent sexually transmitted infections, so people looking to further protect themselves should still use some sort of barrier method during intercourse.

2. Is Opill safe to be sold over the counter?

    • The same drug in Opill, norgestrel, has been used safely and effectively for birth control since 1973.
    • In order for a drug to be sold without a prescription in the U.S., it must first be reviewed and approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
    • Several studies have looked at whether women can accurately evaluate their own ability to safely use birth control.

3. Shouldn’t a doctor be involved in choosing birth control?

    • Screenings may include pap test, pelvic examination, clinical breast examination and testing for sexually transmitted diseases.
    • Even before the approval of Opill, people had the option to uncouple their screening examinations from prescription access.
    • In addition, more than 20 states currently allow pharmacists to provide prescription contraceptive based on a self-assessment questionnaire and blood pressure screening.

4.Does Opill have any side effects?

    • Opill does not contain estrogen, as some other hormonal birth control pills do.
    • Estrogen plays a role in menstrual regularity, so people who use Opill may experience more irregular vaginal bleeding.
    • But some individuals who use Opill may have less bleeding or stop bleeding altogether while taking the pills.

5. Will OTC status truly increase accessibility to birth control?

    • The Affordable Care Act currently mandates insurance coverage of certain FDA-approved prescription birth control products, but it does not require coverage of nonprescription options.
    • Lastly, Opill represents only one type of birth control.
    • If 100 women use a birth control that is 91% effective over one year, it is estimated that nine women using that method will become pregnant over that year.
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