Why Birth Control Should Be over the Counter?

Research indicates that making the pill available over the counter (OTC) would lead to greater use of effective birth control and lower rates of unintended pregnancy

. An OTC pill would remove the unnecessary burden of requiring a woman to visit a doctor to get the birth control she needs.

Should birth control be offered over-the-counter?

The recommendations include the patch, vaginal ring and injections, in addition to the pill. All forms of hormonal birth control should be available over the counter, according to new recommendations released Wednesday by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Why should birth control be more accessible?

Access to birth control helps women stay in school and complete their education. When the birth control pill became more widely available, the school dropout rate among women with access to birth control was 35 percent lower than those without access.