Over the

Counter Birth
Control
Caroline McArthur
Sabrina Hopman
Brent Tomlinson
Aisling Taylor
Definitions
❖ Pills:
➢ Oral contraceptive/hormonal
❖ Patch (transdermal):
➢ Contraceptive patch/hormonal
❖ Over the counter:
➢ Buy without prescription
Process
Phases of the menstrual cycle:
1) Release of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
2) Release of Gonadotropin-releasing hormone
3) Secretion of luteinizing hormone
4) The uterus builds it endometrium
5) Follicle matures into an ovum
6) Ovum releases from the ovary
Hormonal Birth control:
➢ Releases progestin
➢ Restricts follicle growth
➢ “Tricks” ovary
➢ Period still occurs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zx8zbTMTncs
Process
❖ Obtaining birth control:
➢ Drugstores, health clinics, Planned Parenthood
➢ Need a prescription
❖ Prescriptions:
➢ Medical history
➢ Blood pressure
➢ Other medical exam (i.e. pelvic exams)
❖ Oregon over the counter
➢ 20 question self-assessment
➢ Must be 18 or older in order to receive contraceptives
Purpose
❖ Prevents unplanned pregnancies
❖ Reduce side effects of endometriosis
❖ Balances hormones
 Law (Oregon)
❖ House Bill 2879
➢ Section 2
■ At least 18 years old
■ Under 18 y/o with prescription
■ Trained
■ Self-screening risk assessment tool
■ Written record
■ Advise patient to visit doctor
■ Doctor’s visit within 3 years
Laws Regarding Birth Control
Is the Law Going to Change?
❖ More states are on their way!
❖ Trump administration
Healthcare Industry
❖ Under the Affordable Care Act (ACA):
➢ In the health insurance marketplace:
■ Must cover contraceptive methods prescribed by a health care provider
■ Must cover these services without a copayment or coinsurance when provided by an in
network provider
❖ Religious employers can be exempt
❖ Some plans require cost-sharing for certain brands
 Religious Beliefs
1. Waiting until marriage to start a family (Christianity) Cons
Pros of otc birth control: Prevents pregnancies
Bible does not explicitly say no to contraceptives

Cons of otc birth control: Premarital sex is more appealing/less dangerous

2. Increase the availability of birth control (Judaism)

Pros of otc birth control: Female contraceptives are preferred over male
Premarital sex is not outlawed by texts
Birth control is encouraged if female is underage

Cons of otc birth control: Texts prohibit birth control if the couple doesn’t
want any kids, as this is seen as selfish
Society as a Whole (Pros)
❖ Simple ❖ Awareness
❖ Menstruation ❖ Safe
❖ Less pregnancies ❖ Pharmacist training
❖ Reduces acne ❖ Self assessment
❖ Hormones ❖ Female rights
❖ Convenient
❖ Economic stability
Society as a Whole (Cons)
❖ Less parental involvement
❖ Less involvement of health care professionals
❖ Less specialized birth control methods
❖ Limited education
❖ Self assessments could be forged
 Financial Cost
Short Term Long Term
❖ Less transportation expenses ❖ Insurance claims can be
❖ No doctor’s visit/testing fees inactivated for specific
brands or out of network
providers
❖ No annual checkup fees
 Lack of a Doctor’s Visit
Pros Cons
❖ No fees ❖ Pay upfront
❖ No transportation ❖ Religious Healthcare
❖ More accessible ❖ Coverage
 Lack of a Doctor’s Visit
Pros Cons
❖ Quicker process ❖ Putting your body at risk
❖ Health risks are rare ❖ No medical
history/education
❖ False sense of security
 No Parental Approval
Pros Cons
❖ Protected despite ❖ Health risk
parents ❖ Maturity risk
❖ Faster access ❖ Confidentiality
 Medical Side Effects
Pros ❖ LightCons
spotting
❖ Reduces acne
❖ Balances hormones
❖ Regulates periods
❖ Decreases flow
❖ Lower menstrual cramps
❖ Decreases risk of ovarian and
endometrial cancer
❖ Nausea
❖ Weight gain
❖ Missed periods
❖ Mood swings
❖ Cervical cancer
❖ Increased risk of breast cancer
❖ Increases risk of blood clots
(Stroke, heart attack, PE)
 Future Implications
Pros Cons
❖ Decrease of unplanned ❖ May lead to an increase
pregnancies of sexually transmitted
❖ Opportunity to wait until infections
financially stable ❖ Possible higher rate of
❖ Fewer kids in foster care females with
or being put up for birth-control and health
adoption related issues
 Outcomes and Consequences
Short Term Long Term
❖ More access ❖ Less pregnancies
❖ No physician’s approval ❖ Less doctor
❖ Less transportation appointments
❖ Doctor visit isn’t required ❖ Saves time
❖ Accessible ❖ Arising complications
❖ False sense of security
Discussion Points
❖ Is it ethical make birth control available without a prescription and just
a simple questionnaire, even though you’d be putting the female at risk
of potentially fatal health issues?
❖ Should it be legal for females younger than 18 to get birth control
without a prescription?
❖ Is it ethical to deny the majority a birth control method when it is the
minority that will experience negative health effects?
❖ Should pharmacies be required to sell birth control over the counter?
❖ Would over the counter birth control improve the economy? Why or
why not?
Works Cited
https://health.howstuffworks.com/sexual-health/contraception/birth-control-pill3.htm

https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=9785

https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/birth-control-patch

https://www.livescience.com/53256-oregon-birth-control.html

https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/birth-control-pill/what-are-the-benefits-of-the-birth-control-pill

https://bodyecology.com/articles/dangers_birth_control_pill.php

https://www.guttmacher.org/gpr/2015/11/moving-oral-contraceptives-over-counter-status-policy-versus-politics

https://olis.leg.state.or.us/liz/2015R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/HB2879/Enrolled

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/birth-control/expert-answers/birth-control-pills/faq-20058110
Works cited
https://www.kff.org/womens-health-policy/issue-brief/private-insurance-coverage-of-contraception/

https://www.goodrx.com/blog/could-otc-birth-control-be-coming-to-pharmacies-soon/

http://www.pharmacytimes.com/contributor/sally-rafie-pharmd/2017/01/an-otc-birth-control-pill-could-become-a-reality

https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/birth-control-pill/how-safe-is-the-birth-control-pill

https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage/birth-control-benefits/

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/06/us/politics/trump-contraception-birth-control.html

https://www.guttmacher.org/state-policy/explore/overview-minors-consent-law

https://sexetc.org/states/arkansas