An expert’s guide on accessible reproductive health resources
The landscape of reproductive rights is undergoing a dramatic transformation following the Supreme Court's reversal of Roe v. Wade, leaving many women across the U.S. uncertain and concerned about their reproductive health, autonomy, and healthcare decisions. Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., Clinical Professor of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences at Yale University, stresses the critical need for accessible contraception and reproductive health tools to prevent unintended pregnancies.
"The rollback on reproductive rights makes it absolutely imperative that we prioritize comprehensive access to contraception," says Dr. Minkin. "It's not just about preventing pregnancy; it's about preserving the autonomy and health of women across the nation."
Below is a summary of current accessible reproductive health resources:
- Condoms: For those not trying to conceive, using readily available and reliable contraception, like condoms, during each sexual encounter is imperative. They also have the benefit of helping to prevent transmission of STI’s and are excellent to use in addition to any longer acting contraceptive and they give contraceptive backup too. Trojan can be found widely at local drug, grocery, and convenience stores.
- Emergency Contraception: The Cadence OTC Morning After Pill can be found at neighborhood convenience stores like 7-Eleven and online. It prevents pregnancy after unprotected sex, contraceptive failure (like a broken condom), or sexual assault, and is called “Emergency Contraception” as its effectiveness is time-sensitive, making early use optimal, though it should be taken within 72 hours.
- Dual and Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC): Two forms of LARC are offered—IUDs and implants, which are inserted into the uterus or arm, respectively. These methods can provide pregnancy prevention for multiple years. Both require a medical visit and insertion by a medical professional.
- “The Pill”: The first dual estrogen and progesterone oral contraceptive pill, called Zena, is currently under FDA review for over the counter (OTC) purchase. You can currently get combination pills with a prescription from a medical professional; if you don’t have a provider, check in with your nearest Planned Parenthood or carafem for a wide range of birth control options like condoms, birth control pills, emergency contraception, IUD/IUCs, birth control implants, and Depo Provera shots.
- The Mini Pill: Opill, an OTC, progestin-only birth control pill, is available in pharmacies, retail stores, and online. As a progestin-only contraceptive, Opill was originally designed for nursing mothers and those unable to take estrogen-based contraceptives.
- Early Result Pregnancy Test: Known for its sensitivity, The First Response Early Result Pregnancy Test can detect pregnancy up to six days before a missed period and is crucial for timely decisions under strict state legal constraints. This is especially vital since some early pregnancy bleeding might be mistaken for a regular period, underscoring the importance of accurate and early testing.
- Medical Abortion: Women’s health clinics like carafem offer medical abortion and abortion by mail options after a virtual consultation to ensure safety and adherence to regulations. The availability of such services can vary based on state laws. Medical abortion typically involves a two-pill regimen. The first pill is mifepristone, which blocks the hormone progesterone necessary for a pregnancy to continue, and the other is misoprostol, taken 24 to 48 hours later, which causes the uterus to contract and expel the pregnancy. Together, these medications are effective for terminating an early pregnancy.
Amidst these challenges, there is a call to action to protect and enhance avenues to safe and reliable care, especially for the 23 million women living in health deserts—areas without access to drug and grocery stores. Fortunately, convenience stores are stepping up, making contraception like condoms and the Morning After Pill more accessible and affordable.
“Despite these methods' proven safety and effectiveness, access is becoming increasingly fraught with hurdles due to recent policy changes. With each barrier erected against abortion access, the responsibility to provide robust contraceptive options only grows," Dr. Minkin adds. "We must ensure that women of all ages have the education, resources, and confidentiality to make informed choices about their reproductive health. Emergency contraception must remain readily accessible; it is a vital tool in the spectrum of reproductive health products and should be seen as such, regardless of legislative landscapes. Time is of the essence.”
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