Birth control, along with other forms of oral contraceptives, is a medication which all individuals should have access to by being sold over the counter. Birth control has been around for several years, originating in the 1950’s. Currently, individuals must have a prescription to be able to obtain the oral contraceptive. They receive this prescription by visiting their current doctor or the individual may seek out help form a local Planned Parenthood clinic and get a prescription from there.  There are several types of birth control from generic to name brand as well as the IUD, the shot, and the implant. Therefore, it is essential to find the best method for the individual. The birth control pill serves many purposes to several females of varying ages. Without the invention of birth control, there would be even more unplanned pregnancies throughout the populations in various places in the world than there are now. The production of birth control has been proven to be highly effective amongst the population thus having it available over the counter would not only continue its high rating of effectiveness but would also increase the overall sales of the product. Birth control should be legally sold over the counter in all throughout America as it is in other places amongst the world since with its many purposes, birth control helps prevent pregnancies, regulates menstrual cycles, helps to alleviate the pain that comes with menstrual cycles, and doctors would spend less time writing prescriptions. 

If birth control is sold over the counter to individuals, then they will have easier access to it when they are trying to prevent unplanned pregnancies. A CNN article suggests, “Approximately 50% of all pregnancies are unplanned, a rate that hasn't changed much in the past 20 years” (Wilson). The number of individuals who have had pregnancy scares or may have had to deal with the consequences of an unplanned pregnancy continues to rise. The fact that the stated statistic has not changed much within the past twenty years states that something should be done about the reoccurring issue. Some individuals may be too embarrassed to go to their doctor or even to Planned Parenthood to seek help and get prescribed the birth control pill. Therefore, these individuals deserve to have another option no matter what the circumstance may possibly be. Additionally, individuals can feel better about their choice to utilize the option of birth control and not have to feel guilt into using it based on prior choices or behaviors. With birth control and other oral contraceptives being sold over the counter, individuals can be proactive and act responsibly by being able to go to their local pharmacy or drug store to obtain this medication with little trouble and successfully and easily prevent an unplanned pregnancy. Having the additional option to have birth control over the counter in this instance, makes it simpler for the individual to obtain the oral contraceptive when they feel is best for them. They may also be too busy at times to visit their doctors.

Birth control has many purposes other than aiding with preventing pregnancies. For example, birth control and other oral contraceptives can assist with regulating an individual’s menstrual cycle. Many women’s menstrual cycles are never regular each month. Thus, some are prescribed birth control to help with the regulation of the menstrual period.  By regulating one’s menstrual cycle, they will no longer have to guess when they will be getting their period. In a news report conducted by the WKBT news team, the news anchors suggest that when it comes to making birth control available to individuals over the counter, “The benefits out weigh the risks” (WKBT). With this being said, it is made clear that birth control and other oral contraceptives should in fact be sold over the counter. The news anchors make it quite clear that it is possible for there to be negative effects of selling birth control over the counter. However, at the end of the day, there are more positive outcomes than negative ones to selling the pill over the counter. To not sell birth control over the counter in the example would be rather odd as it is being used to regulate the monthly menstrual cycle.

Apart from regulating menstrual cycles, birth control as an oral contraceptive, can also help with menstrual cramps. Women tend to have extremely excruciating pain when it comes time for their periods to occur each month. There are certain treatments and medications already present in today’s society that are said to help with these cramps. According to youngwomenshealth.org, birth control and menstrual periods have a correlation in the sense that they aid with “Symptoms of PMS such as mood swings, breast soreness, weight gain, and bloating” (youngwomenshealth.org). By alleviating these symptoms these symptoms, women will have more bearable periods. However, these methods do not always work and so an alternative method must be present. It would be kind of obnoxious to not sell birth control over the counter in this example as it is being used as a pain killer in a sense. Using birth control as a pain reliever is beneficial because it is an alternative way of getting rid of pain compared to the normal ways that one is used to. However, you can not just take a birth control pill and get instant relieve. Selling this oral contraceptive over the counter as another option for alleviating pain makes it much easier than having to have a prescription for it. This makes it faster for individuals to obtain the substance.

If birth control was sold over the counter, doctors and other qualified health care providers would spend a lot less time writing the prescription for this oral contraceptive. According to a study discussed within an online Time article, “Women who got their pills at clinics in El Paso were 60% more likely to stop taking them during the study period in comparison to women who bought pills without a prescription across the border.” (Brochman).  Additionally, the article states, “And those who got less than six packs of pills at a clinic visit were 80% more likely to stop taking them compared to over-the-counter users” (Brochman). The study demonstrates that it is evident that it would be more successful for birth control to be sold over the counter than for it to be sold via a prescription to patients by the fact that individuals are more inclined to taking the pill. By having birth control readily available over the counter, individuals can get the oral contraceptive at a time that is most convenient for them. When the individual is most comfortable, then they can get this medication and not feel pressured at a doctor’s office. The statistics prove that more women utilize the oral contraceptive if purchased from a location that sells this medication over the counter or without a prescription rather than at a clinic or pharmacy that requires the individual to have a prescription. If statistics show that more women are utilizing birth control when they purchase it over the counter rather than when they purchase it with a prescription, then it would be most logical to just have the pill readily available over the counter. This way, individuals can purchase it at their own expenses. Insurance would still be an option to pay for birth control as some individuals may pay with prescription cards provided for them by their insurance companies, even with it being sold over the counter.

For birth control to be sold legally over the counter, a process must be completed at first for it to go into effect as with any new and developing situation. One of the main things that must occur is that a law must be passed so that way the oral contraceptive can be sold over the counter. This law would have to be passed through the FDA, the Food and Drug Administration. In the book excerpt titled, “Over the Counter Distribution of Oral Contraceptives”, the authors highlight the importance of having the FDA regulate the buying market of birth control as well as the laws pertaining to it (Allina). Another factor to consider is the importance of pharmaceutical companies. These companies are commercial businesses that are licensed to research, develop, market and distribute drugs to individuals interested in their product or products. The role that these companies play in the selling of birth control and other oral contraceptives is that they may also be competing to sell these medications. With this competition increasing, it adds to the overall market of birth control and leads to investigation of where is the best place to sell birth control. Whether it is by a prescription, over the counter, or through a pharmaceutical company, the competition between the three on where an individual will get their birth control from will continue to be an issue.  

Another factor that comes into consideration when purchasing any type of medication, not just birth control and oral contraceptives, is the cost of the medicine. In the book, Broadcasting Birth Control: Mass Media and Family Planning, it is said that “By the mid 1960’s, effective low cost contraceptive technologies had been developed, including the IUD and the pill” (Parry 77). Since cheaper methods of the oral contraceptive have been developed, it makes it even easier for individuals to receive this form of birth control for whatever use they are best trying to obtain it. An article published by the Huffington Post suggests that if birth control is in fact sold over the counter to individuals then, “This would save money for public health plans, the researchers say, as states would have to pay less for pregnancy and birth care” (Almendrala). Majority of individuals are down to save money. Therefore, it would be essential for birth control to be provided to individuals over the counter. As a result, states that are providing people birth control and individuals wishing to purchase birth control are saving money that they can now put that money towards something else. Coming from the same study, it is also suggested that “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” (Almendrala). By looking at the statistics from the study, one can see that it is evident that if the pill is available over the counter, then more women are likely to obtain it. Women of different low income groups are even more likely to consider purchasing birth control when it is sold over the counter rather than when it is sold by a prescription. With that being said, if women of multiple social classes are now making the effort to obtain birth control, it shows that they are willing to make the effort to prevent pregnancy despite the amount of money they may or may not have. When more women utilize the pill to prevent pregnancy, there appears to be a drastic decrease in the amount of unplanned pregnancies throughout the population. Fewer unplanned pregnancies puts less pressure and stress on women in general. Additionally, there are also other methods of birth control mentioned such as the IUD, Intra-Uterine Device, which is inserted into the uterus as a form of birth control. There are various speculations as to which is the better contraceptive method of the two among all different types of contraceptives but both do have high effective ratings and work well in order to prevent against pregnancies. 

When individuals purchase oral contraceptives from over the counter, females miss out on the doctor’s office visit that comes along with getting prescribed the medicine. However, this doctors visit is not necessary if the individual already knows the proper prescription that they need. According to an organization called Bedsider.org, an organization providing information and support to women about birth control, states, “A nationwide survey of reproductive-age women in the U.S. found that over two-thirds (68%) would buy contraceptives from a pharmacist and skip the doctor’s appointment” (Bedsider). This statistic confirms that more women would by birth control if they had access to it over the counter. More unplanned pregnancies would be eliminated this way as well as menstrual problems. This article also suggests that out of the women who were purchasing birth control during this time completely skip out on the doctor’s visit to receive the birth control. By doing this, the individual saves time by being able to go straight to the pharmacy and get the medication. However, the person does not know if they have anything else wrong with them that they would know if they were checked by a doctor or other health care providers. Bedsider also suggests the concern with selling birth control over the counter, that addiction may later develop. On the other hand, it is also suggested that the pill has health benefits such as preventing against various types of cancer, in particularly various forms of cervical cancer in individuals. 

Although many individuals are for the idea of selling birth control over the counter, there are absolutely some people that are against it. An issue of the British Medical Journal discusses a study in which participants were trying to determine whether there was a change in the amount of birth control purchased and sold. In conclusion, “The level of use of different contraceptives by British women aged 16-49 remained quite similar before and after EHC was made available over the counter” (Marston 272). Since there was not much of a change in the use between having the pill sold over the counter and having it not, some may not see a purpose in keeping it over the counter. The statistics also showed that there was no change or effect on the sales of emergency contraceptives such as Plan B and that those sales remained the same as well. If birth control was readily available all the time, individuals could purchase it and re sell it to other people. This puts out a risk because the product could be modified thus causing complications later down the road in the health of women worldwide.

Selling birth control over the counter has many beneficial factors including preventing pregnancies, alleviating the pain of menstrual cramps, regulating menstrual periods, and allowing doctors to spend less time writing prescriptions. A clear majority of the research can conclude that birth control should be sold over the counter. Having birth control readily available over the counter has many more benefits than it does doubts. Women throughout the world would be able to access it whenever they choose to. This is beneficial for women with busy schedules who do not have time to go to their doctor and receive a prescription. Birth control also has many different purposes. Some of these purposes include but are not limited to alleviating the pain brought on by menstrual periods, helps to regulate menstrual periods, and has been proven to help prevent some forms of cancer, in particularly different types of cervical cancers. Selling birth control over the counter would also boost the economy overall. The way in which this would happen is by cutting down the amount of money that the states pay for pregnancy and birth care. By doing this, individuals and the government are saving money and can put the money towards something else that they see as another need aside from the birth control and oral contraceptives. All in all, society would benefit from allowing birth control to be sold over the counter to individuals of various ages due to the pill’s vast versatility. 
