We Still Need Affordable, Accessible Oral Contraceptives in the United States

There are a number of reasons menstruating people (not just those who identify as women) take birth control pills, including to control symptoms related to reproductive disorders, to regulate or stop their menstrual cycle and symptoms, and, in some cases, to aid their mental health. Yet despite these many medical uses, many people across the United States do not have access to oral contraception, and this needs to change.

In my own experience, birth control pills have cost up to $100 a month, even with insurance. In a country in which approximately 10% of people live in poverty, many Americans simply can’t afford birth control. What’s more, even for those who can find the funds for this each month, many people who are on the pill are on it indefinitely, which leads them to lose thousands of dollars over time. I, personally, have been taking birth control pills every day for the past three to four years, which has cost me thousands of dollars.

In addition to its high price, many people do not live in a place where they can easily obtain birth control. According to Power to Decide, a campaign dedicated to the prevention of unwanted pregnancies, more than 19 million people in the U.S. need birth control but live in a “contraceptive desert,” or a county without reasonable access to health care centers that offer all methods of contraception — most commonly pills, implants, IUDs, and shots. Most contraceptive deserts are located in the Midwest.

There are many compelling reasons to make birth control more accessible. Take the abortion debate, for example. Making birth control more accessible would decrease the nation’s abortion rate, because increased access to birth control pills and other contraceptives leads to fewer unwanted pregnancies, which ultimately leads to a lower abortion rate. Both pro-choice and anti-abortion advocates can get behind that.

Additionally, as previously mentioned, while birth control pills are mainly a form of contraception, numerous medical conditions make hormonal birth control a necessity for some. People with reproductive disorders such as endometriosis or polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are prescribed birth control, while others take birth control pills to regulate their menstrual cycle and reduce debilitating symptoms such as cramps, nausea, and mood swings.

In addition to the millions of women on hormonal birth control, individuals assigned female at birth who no longer identify as women, such as transgender men and nonbinary people, need hormonal birth control for their mental health. These people may take birth control to stop their periods and avoid the monthly reminder that they were born with female anatomy, a reminder that oftentimes takes a great toll on their mental health.

Despite these reasons for making birth control pills more accessible, there are still some people who are against it. This is likely due to the stigma caused by a lack of thorough education about the pill. Many people believe that it is used solely to prevent pregnancy.

Of course, even should birth control be made more accessible, it should be done so in tandem with offering comprehensive sex education to younger generations to ensure that people are still practicing safe sex while on the medication. Additionally, referring to this medication with a more inclusive name than “birth control” may be beneficial in reducing the stigma around it and encourage more open conversations about reproductive health and safety.