Why 24 -hour access counts
At the same time, certain contraception products have become more easily available thanks to online and over -the -counter purchases, Including the opillWho last year became the first contraceptive pill without a prescription available in the United States. New birth control methods have also arrived on the market, including prolonged action implants, patches and phexxi, a vaginal freeze without hormones.
Emergency contraception is available without a prescription, a fact that many women do not know, According to a survey carried out by KffA research organization on health policies. Indeed, half of the women who live in states where abortion is prohibited, wrongly, think that emergency contraceptive pills are illegal in their state or say that they are not sure, according to the survey.
However, younger women are more likely to point out that they have used emergency contraception: 44% of women aged 15 to 24 and 40% of women aged 25 to 34. And online data show that emergency contraception research often occurs later at night, said Voyten.
“And 7-Eleven is open,” she said.
Megan Kavanaugh, principal researcher at the Guttmacher Institute, a genesic health research group, said that 99% of women of childbirth in the United States have used a certain form of contraception, including natural family planning, “during their life”, a tendency that holds true in all demographics, including religious beliefs. Less than 1% of women use methods based on fertility awareness.
And the use of emergency contraception has also increased in recent decades. KFF researchers found that A third of women aged 15 to 49 Who have already had sex with a man in the United States have used it.
“People use EC for many reasons,” said Kavanaugh. “The condom fails, they have not used birth control or they may need to use it after sexual assault.”
The cost, however, can be an obstacle for some women, she said, noting that over -the -counter products like plan B of a step – another emergency contraceptive – can cost more than $ 50. “It's a prohibitive price,” she said.
The condoms are inexpensive but generally outside the control of women with sex, said Kavanaugh. “All this is part of the misogyny in which we live insofar as we assess the products differently,” she said.
Creece emergency contraception is at the price of around $ 25 per box for a punctual dose. A study of consumer behavior conducted by the manufacturer, CADENCE, revealed that women questioned the quality and efficiency of a contraception of less than $ 15, but the products at more than $ 30 were prohibitive.
The survey shows that A large majority of Americans support contraception and oppose efforts to restrict its access.
Stored in locking boxes or behind the counter
However, getting help to prevent pregnancy can often be a challenge, said Dr Amanda Bryson, pediatrician and teenage medicine specialist at the University of California in San Francisco and assistant pediatric professor.
Bryson, who provides care for adolescents and young adults and is not affiliated with cadence, said that these obstacles may include a need for confidentiality, as well as a lack of transport, financial means or health insurance. And even if emergency contraception is available without prescription or age requirement, pharmacists often store the product in locking boxes or behind the counter, forcing adolescents and young adults to search for a store clerk.
In convenience stores, pills are generally stored next to condoms, not behind the counter.
Finding emergency contraception in rural areas can also be difficult, especially in cities without pharmacy or pharmacy.
Bryson recalled a patient who called, after the hours, in search of emergency contraception. After advising the patient, who had insurance, Bryson called a prescription to a local pharmacy, but she was out of stock. Another pharmacy, however, had over -the -counter medicines – for $ 50. The patient bought the pills there.
“It shouldn't be so difficult,” said Bryson. “This young adult had information on the CE, she had a doctor who could advise her, she knew she could join me after the hours, she had insurance, she was able to drive, and it was always a huge barrier.”
She added: “In situations similar to it, having a pill at a lower cost in convenience stores with widened hours could be really significant.”
“Taking care of your sexual health should not be stigmatized,” said Bryson, adding that “availability and visibility” of women's contraception on convenience stores can help fight stigma.
Cadence officials say they would like to extend their market to university campuses, and perhaps even to automatic distributors, noting that it is a “very profitable product”.
And although plan B, a widely known emergency contraception brand, is not available in convenience stores, it is distributed at CVS, Walgreens, Walmart and other retailers, IT and can be delivered by Uber Eats, Doordash and Instacact, according to the company.
While the retailers of certain regions “objections have the fact of bringing the product”, these concerns are often exceeded by the request, said Voyten.
“There are some who say,” I don't believe it, “she said. “” But I know that my client needs it. “”
