Health
How Opill Is Expanding Birth Control Access
Health Points
- Over-the-counter Opill is helping more women, especially those without insurance or in rural areas, access effective contraception.
- Research found that 3 in 10 Opill users had not previously used any birth control.
- Opill is a progestin-only pill taken daily and is 98% effective when used as directed.
Opill, the first birth control pill available over the counter in the United States, is making it easier for women facing barriers to reproductive care to prevent unintended pregnancy.
The medication is popular with those who previously lacked access to birth control, including young adults and the uninsured.
“Contraception is essential preventive healthcare for millions of Americans, and we wanted to understand how this new option — to buy the pill over the counter — was being used,” says Maria I. Rodriguez, MD, MPH, director of the Center for Women’s Health at Oregon Health and Science University.
Unlike combined hormonal birth control, Opill contains only progestin and should be taken at the same time each day for maximum effectiveness.
“If you take it consistently, it works very well,” says Lauren Streicher, MD, of Northwestern University. “But if you don’t take it every day, you will lose some of that efficacy.”
Studies show that offering birth control without a prescription made it significantly easier for women to move from using no contraception to using an effective method like Opill.
A majority of Opill users had either not used birth control previously or relied on less effective options, and reported avoiding pregnancy as very important.
More than 30% of women taking Opill were uninsured, compared to a much smaller share using prescription birth control.
Recent trends reveal that more women over 40 are giving birth than teenagers, extending conversations around reproductive health to all ages.
“The barrier to contraception is one of the many reasons we have had a high rate of unintended pregnancies,” says Dr. Streicher.
Rodriguez adds, “By removing the need for a prescription, the OTC pill provides a promising new way to support reproductive autonomy and reduce disparities in contraceptive use across the U.S.”
Some women prefer to avoid doctor’s visits, and over-the-counter pills make this possible.
Opill is safe, with decades of research supporting progestin-only pills. When taken as recommended, it prevents pregnancy in about 98% of cases and has a well-established safety track record.
Common side effects include irregular bleeding, headaches, nausea, and mild abdominal discomfort, similar to other progestin-only pills.
As with all hormonal contraceptives, Opill does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.
If you’re considering new contraceptive options, discuss what’s best for your needs and lifestyle with a trusted healthcare provider.