Should birth control pills be sold without a prescription?

[Murrdox]

Here in the US whether you know it or not, we're pretty backwards when it comes to women's health issues. We don't want to give young girls vaccinations for PID because we think that will somehow encourage them to have sex. We don't want people to have access to a drug that can induce an abortion. We don't want minors or poor people to have access to the morning-after-pill... the very people it's pretty much most beneficial to. Heck, we don't even want to teach our kids sex education.

The morning after pill is recently in the news again (http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/05/health/morning-after-pill/index.html?hpt=hp_t2) and it got me thinking.

Is there really a good reason that regular birth control pills aren't just sold over the counter? Sure I know that some birth control pills are different than others, and that some types might need to remain only available via prescription, but honestly couldn't some types just be available over-the-counter? I know they could be damaging taken incorrectly for some people, but honestly there are lots of drugs like that that are sold on shelves.

 

[Zantos]

Any drug that messes with hormones can have pretty drastic effects on other medication, when my friend went on the pill it took a while to find one that wouldn't interfere or be interfered with by other medication. So it should be prescribed by a doctor so it's accurately recorded in their medical records.

However

The doctor should have to prescribe it to them if they want it (barring legitimate medical reasons) regardless of age, race, etc.

Honestly the way sex is treated in some places is so ridiculous. "We can't let them have condoms or the pill because they'll have sex", "we can't teach them about sex because it'll encourage them". Conveniently forgetting that people will probably be having sex anyway, but proper education reduces unwanted pregnancy and disease, and possibly even rape (I haven't actually seen that study, but if someone has a link I'd like to).

 

[IndomitableSam]

Canada has to have prescriptions as well. And they're damned expensive.

I think when a girl starts them, it should be under a doctor's supervision as there are so many kinds of pills and they affect everyone differently - none of my girl friends are on the same pill, we all take something different.

Once you've found the right pill, though, you shouldn't have to go to the doctor to renew every year or so and wait for refills and such. Also, (even though I have coverage), a 3-month supply is $70, which is stupidly expensive. I've been doing it for over 15 years, though, so it's pretty much normal for me... I don't mind calling in to order the pills, but the doctor's appointment is really annoying. Mostly because my doctor is hard to get in to see and her front desk staff are really awful and won't book appointments for good times and such.

If I could just go to a walk-in clinic and get a new perscription, I'd be happy with that, really.

 

[Colour Scientist]

Nope.

When you're on the pill you need to have your blood pressure taken every six months, along with a few other tests. The hormones in each brand of pill can affect individual woman differently and you really do need to be monitored. When you first have the pill prescribed, you only get 3 months because they need to see how that particular brand is affecting you.

I've personally had a terrible reaction to a particular brand of pill, as have most women I know on it but it's never caused by the same brand and the side effects are never the same.

 

[Chemical Alia]

I think it's very important that you see a doctor before getting on any hormonal stuff like that. I agree with the idea behind it, but in practice it's safer if your doctor is prescribing it.

I think it's pretty important that you see a doctor before getting on any hormonal stuff like that.

Nope.

When you're on the pill you need to have your blood pressure taken every six months, along with a few other tests. The hormones in each brand of pill can affect individual woman differently and you really do need to be monitored. When you first have the pill prescribed, you only get 3 months because they need to see how that particular brand is affecting you.

I've personally had a terrible reaction to a particular brand of pill, as have most women I know on it but it's never caused by the same brand and the side effects are never the same.

Ughhhhhh, not the pill, but the shot. I've been on the shot since November, and since then I've gained almost ten pounds, straight past the highest weight I've ever been. Even though I work out with a trainer and my exercising has stayed the same, it's just adding on pounds every time I step on the scale and I'm super discouraged. Also, my jaw hurts like crazy, my body aches all the time, and how about them 3 week + periods! I'm not due for the next one until later this month, and I hear it remains in your system for quite some time D:

The only thing my doctor warned me about beforehand was the possible temporary bone density loss, but it turns out all of these symptoms are not uncommon. I've never had any negative symptoms with any birth control pills in the past, aside from the usual 5 pound weight gain.

So yep, hormonal stuff can be crazy, and the way it affects one person can differ greatly from the next.

 

[Eclipse Dragon]

a 3-month supply is $70

...Ouch. $70 for a 3 month supply!?
With insurance it costs me $30 for a 3 month supply and a new law just got passed pretty much making it free. I picked up my prescription the other day and the pharmacist told me it was no charge. I have a pretty generic brand though.

Are you sure you can't take a generic? If you're not already on one, they're usually much more affordable.

 

[Fappy]

Nope.

When you're on the pill you need to have your blood pressure taken every six months, along with a few other tests. The hormones in each brand of pill can affect individual woman differently and you really do need to be monitored. When you first have the pill prescribed, you only get 3 months because they need to see how that particular brand is affecting you.

I've personally had a terrible reaction to a particular brand of pill, as have most women I know on it but it's never caused by the same brand and the side effects are never the same.

This, completely.

I may not be a chick, but I've had my fair share of experience with birth control. Pretty sure all forms of birth control affect hormone levels (even the baseline IUD) and when that happens... prescriptions are a necessity.

 

[IndomitableSam]

a 3-month supply is $70

...Ouch. $70 for a 3 month supply!?
With insurance it costs me $30 for a 3 month supply and a new law just got passed pretty much making it free. I picked up my prescription the other day and the pharmacist told me it was no charge. I have a pretty generic brand though.

Are you sure you can't take a generic? If you're not already on one, they're usually much more affordable.

Before insurance it's $70, it's $35ish after reimbursment. I've been on the same brand for 15+ years now, so I don't know if it would be a good idea to change. I actually just went back on this month after being off for a while, and while off I was pretty nuts. My cat died, and I literally cried for days on end. Inconsolably. But that wasn't just the hormones, that cat was my baby boy. And when I wasn't crying I was in a terrible rage. Hunger was an issue, too. No noticeable weight loss, but I wasn't in the healthiest state of mind either. Now that I'm back on I've gotten a good dose of pimples this time of the month, though. Hopefully next month it'll be back to pristine skin.

I'm on Orthotricyclin, I believe. So it's pretty generic.

Captcha: wax poetic ... about mensturation? Sure, why not?

 

[kickassfrog]

Yes.
They're going to find ways to have sex, whether you like it or not.
The important thing is making sure they don't find themselves pregnant at 15. It's a savage cycle that doesn't let people out, and if there's a chance to break it it would be irresponsible not to do so.

 

[Able Seacat]

Most of my friends on the pill have had to swap to different types as it hasn't agreed with them (stomach pains, feeling sick etc.) so it's important that usage is monitored.

 

[Eliam_Dar]

Well, in my country they are available over the counter. I do believe that this is right and that allow women to have a better and more responsible sex life.

 

[Bara_no_Hime]

Nope.

When you're on the pill you need to have your blood pressure taken every six months, along with a few other tests. The hormones in each brand of pill can affect individual woman differently and you really do need to be monitored. When you first have the pill prescribed, you only get 3 months because they need to see how that particular brand is affecting you.

I've personally had a terrible reaction to a particular brand of pill, as have most women I know on it but it's never caused by the same brand and the side effects are never the same.

This.

Which makes me a bit sad, since I'd love it if birth control pills COULD be sold over the counter. But no, they're just too likely to fuck you up.

Back when I was on the pill, I had some fairly strong reactions to it. I gained some weight and I had a lowered sex drive. Because that's really what you want on birth control - no sex drive. /sarcasm

I'm actually curious to see if the last 7 years or so of developments in birth control pills have changed anything, but I'd have to go to my OBGYN to get a prescription and I really don't want to take the time - particularly if I don't like the results. I'm still working on losing my baby weight - I don't want to take any chances on weight gain right now. And I certainly don't want reduced sex drive right now. Egads.

With all the restrictions on other methods of birth control, I'd like to see as many as possible easy to access, but sadly the pill is probably the most dangerous.

 

[Murrdox]

I've known plenty of people that had to switch pill brands for one reason or another, sure. And it's possible you might have some questions about the pill that you might need to talk to a doctor about.

It just seems to me that such a ridiculously high percentage of women take the pill regularly with little to no complications that it's really just a no-brainer.

Why couldn't you go to the Pharmacy, pick up Super-Generic Brand birth control pills, follow the instructions on them, and just put yourself on that pill? If you experienced an ISSUE with the pill, then go talk to your doctor and maybe he would prescribe you a non-generic variety that wasn't necessarily over the counter.

I take Claratin-D all the time, which conflicts with a lot of different medicines out there. I have friends that can't take it for one reason or another. But even so, it's over the counter. If Claratin-D was causing me problems, I'd go talk to my doctor for a different allergy medication. I know it's not a perfect analogy.

 

[barbzilla]

Well you can get the morning after pill if it is an accident or something of that form, but actual birth control pills... no. I think you should have to see a doctor to get prescribed any type of medication that you will be taking long term. I have a couple of reasons for this.

1: The doctor needs to review your medical history and your personal history to see if it will conflict with something you are taking or some hormone imbalance you have. When you are dealing with drugs that affect your hormones, you have to know what your base levels are. If you swing your hormones too far out of balance all kinds of bad things can happen. This applies to men and testosterone treatments as well, and unfortunately they are not regulated (for the most part). When your body relies on a hormone and you artificially mess with it, you body becomes reliant on that drug to keep things in balance. My step-father died from that very issue with Testosterone treatments.

2: With birth control or any kind of sexual medication you need to find out if you are healthy enough to engage in sexual activity. That means that one; you don't have any kind of communicable disease, two; your heart is healthy enough to withstand that kind of exertion (at least if you are doing it right), and three; that you don't have any problems with your sexual organ.

On the flip side, some women take these things to regulate their hormones (like my fiance). I still think they should need to see a doctor to get prescribed though.

 

[Chemical Alia]

I almost feel as though doctors should be allowed to prescribe the pill to minors without the parent's consent, but at least notify them if they are inhabiting the same residence.

I think it's very important that you see a doctor before getting on any hormonal stuff like that. I agree with the idea behind it, but in practice it's safer if your doctor is prescribing it.

I think it's pretty important that you see a doctor before getting on any hormonal stuff like that.

Nope.

When you're on the pill you need to have your blood pressure taken every six months, along with a few other tests. The hormones in each brand of pill can affect individual woman differently and you really do need to be monitored. When you first have the pill prescribed, you only get 3 months because they need to see how that particular brand is affecting you.

I've personally had a terrible reaction to a particular brand of pill, as have most women I know on it but it's never caused by the same brand and the side effects are never the same.

Ughhhhhh, not the pill, but the shot. I've been on the shot since November, and since then I've gained almost ten pounds, straight past the highest weight I've ever been. Even though I work out with a trainer and my exercising has stayed the same, it's just adding on pounds every time I step on the scale and I'm super discouraged. Also, my jaw hurts like crazy, my body aches all the time, and how about them 3 week + periods! I'm not due for the next one until later this month, and I hear it remains in your system for quite some time D:

The only thing my doctor warned me about beforehand was the possible temporary bone density loss, but it turns out all of these symptoms are not uncommon. I've never had any negative symptoms with any birth control pills in the past, aside from the usual 5 pound weight gain.

So yep, hormonal stuff can be crazy, and the way it affects one person can differ greatly from the next.

If you've never had problems with the pill, why are going to continue getting the shots?

Oh, I'm absolutely not going to. I just meant that I still have about a month before I'm supposed to go back, so it's not like I can just stop taking the medication and get it out of my system now. So it'll continue to wreak havoc for quite a bit, unfortunately. And I've read that if you go straight onto the pill or another hormone, you're likely to gain even more weight :C

 

[DevilWithaHalo]

If the birth control is going to affect the recipient in a medical way (affecting hormones, etc), then it should not only require a prescription, but in the case of underage recipients, the parents should be contacted. I don't say this to get teenagers in trouble with their parents, I say this because legal guardians are required by law to insure the well being of their children, which includes knowing their medical history, which includes anything that happens to them medically, which includes birth control. If we want responsible parenting, withholding information from them is a hypocritical thing to do; especially when we hold them legally accountable for it.

If they're adults, it's simply a matter of personal responsibility on both the patients and doctors side to insure they get treated correctly. Over the counter medications can have multiple and sometimes dangerous side affects; in which you should also consult a doctor or equally trained professional, not only so you can be safe about it, but so you can insure you are getting the results you desire.

Comparative drug examples don't actually support the argument that people are responsible with them (because they aren't), but that we have a very shitty system when it comes to what we allow and disallow without regulation. Nyquil as an example, can have a higher amount of alcohol in it then some alcoholic beverages that you need a liquor license to sell. Our entire industry is just arbitrary and hypocritical.

I'm very curious to see how male birth control is going to affect this debate when it finally releases in market.

 

[Moonlight Butterfly]

No because they are pretty serious pills that should be monitored by a doctor. That aside I do think they should be part of any government healthcare plan mostly because they can avert Endometriosis (1 in 20 women have it at different severities) which can cost said government, healthcare system or consumer tons more than a simple packet of pills.

 

[NeutralDrow]

Yes.

<url=http://www.acog.org/About_ACOG/News_Room/News_Releases/2012/Ob-Gyns_Want_the_Pill_Available_OTC>Yes, they absolutely should.

Ob-Gyns Want the Pill Available OTC
November 20, 2012

Washington, DC -- Oral contraceptives (OCs) should be sold over the counter (OTC) in drugstores without a doctor?s prescription, according to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (The College). Easier access to OCs should help lower the nation?s high unintended pregnancy rate, a rate that has not changed over the past 20 years and costs taxpayers an estimated $11.1 billion annually.

Cost, access, and convenience issues are common reasons why women do not use contraception or use it inconsistently. There are no OCs currently approved for OTC access, but The College believes OTC availability will improve women?s access to and usage of contraception. The benefits of making OCs easily accessible OTC outweigh the risks, says The College.

Even though no drug is risk-free, the overall consensus is that OCs are safe. There is a risk of blood clots with OC use, but it is extremely low and significantly lower than the risk of blood clots during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The College points out that aspirin and acetaminophen are both available OTC even though they have well-known health risks.

Studies show women support OTC access to OCs and are able to self-screen with checklists to determine their health risks. Evidence also shows that women will continue seeing their doctor for screening and preventive services even when allowed to purchase OCs without a prescription or doctor?s appointment. Women who receive more than one month?s supply of OCs at a time have higher contraceptive continuation rates than those who receive fewer pill packs.