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Understanding OTC Birth Control: A Comprehensive Guide
Understanding OTC Birth Control: A Comprehensive Guide
Safe, reliable contraception is essential to preventing unplanned and/or unwanted pregnancy. Access to over-the-counter birth control supports women's choices, helps prevent unplanned pregnancies, and is important to overall reproductive health. Several OTC birth control options can be found at your local drugstore, grocery store, convenience store, or online. But among the available options, the real question for many women isn't whether to use contraceptives, but which pregnancy prevention method is best for them?
To answer that, knowing about over-the-counter (OTC) birth control options can help.
Our guide will explore some of the most popular OTC options, how they work, and their effectiveness in putting women and couples firmly in charge of their reproductive goals. But before we explore the different birth control options, a quick reminder: If you're switching methods or starting birth control for the first time, it's a good idea to first consult a healthcare professional.
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Understanding OTC Birth Control: A Comprehensive Guide
Understanding OTC Birth Control: A Comprehensive Guide
Understanding OTC Birth Control: A Comprehensive Guide
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Safe, reliable contraception is essential to preventing unplanned and/or unwanted pregnancy. Access to over-the-counter birth control supports women's choices, helps prevent unplanned pregnancies, and is important to overall reproductive health. Several OTC birth control options can be found at your local drugstore, grocery store, convenience store, or online. But among the available options, the real question for many women isn't whether to use contraceptives, but which pregnancy prevention method is best for them?
To answer that, knowing about over-the-counter (OTC) birth control options can help.
Our guide will explore some of the most popular OTC options, how they work, and their effectiveness in putting women and couples firmly in charge of their reproductive goals. But before we explore the different birth control options, a quick reminder: If you're switching methods or starting birth control for the first time, it's a good idea to first consult a healthcare professional.
Oral Pill
Opill® is the first oral, hormonal contraceptive available to women without a prescription. This new OTC option is an important milestone as it makes hormonal birth control available for women and families without health insurance or easy access to medical services.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the oral birth control pill in 2023, with supplies expected to hit family planning aisles in pharmacies, convenience stores, and supermarkets this spring.
Unlike traditional birth control pills, which include the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone, Opill® only contains progestin, which is a synthetic form of progesterone.
The role of progesterone in contraception is to thicken the mucus around the cervix, making it hard for sperm to enter the uterus. For women who prefer to avoid estrogen-containing contraception, progestin-only pills (also known as POPs or 'mini pills') are a great alternative.
Opill® starts working two days after the first dose. It is important with this medication to take it every day at the same time and you should contact a healthcare professional for instructions if you miss a dose. If taken correctly, it's 98% effective at preventing pregnancy. However, since it is an oral contraception, it does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or infections (STIs). Opill® is also not an emergency contraception method and does not prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex.
The most common side effects of Opill® include irregular bleeding, headaches, dizziness, nausea, increased appetite, abdominal pain, cramps, or bloating.
Male Condom
You can't talk about contraception without mentioning the male condom, a classic over-the-counter birth control option.
Male condoms are usually made from latex (but there are plastic versions if you're allergic to latex rubber!) and fit like snug caps over an erect penis to prevent sperm from entering the vagina and uterus. They protect against STDs and STIs.
Male condoms have atypical-use failure rate of 18%, which means among all couples that use condoms, 18 out of 100 become pregnant in 1 year. Among couples who use condoms perfectly for 1 year, only 2 out of 100 will become pregnant. Condoms are highly effective, especially if you combine them with another birth control method.Common condom brands include:
- Durex® Extra Sensitive Thin Latex Condoms (Regular Fit)
- TROJAN® Ultra Thin Lubricated Latex Condoms
- SKYN®
Female Condom
Yes, there are female condoms too!
Similar in shape to male condoms, although slightly longer and wider, the female version has flexible rings made from soft plastic at either end and looks like a cylindrical pouch. After inserting the condom into the vagina, it acts like a protective lining, keeping sperm from entering.
Female (or internal) condoms also provide a physical barrier that protects against STIs. However, they have a higher typical-use failure rate of 21%, which means among all couples that use female condoms, 21 out of 100 become pregnant in 1 year. This makes female condoms less popular than their male counterparts. Currently, the only FDA-approved brand of female condom is FC2®.
Spermicides
If herbicides kill plants and insecticides kill insects, you can guess what spermicides do.
Spermicides come in many different forms, including creams, gels, foams, or films, and are applied inside the vagina before penetrative sex. Regardless of their form, spermicides' main ingredient is Nonoxynol-9, a substance that kills sperm before it can reach the egg to fertilize it.
Spermicides can be a stand-alone birth control option, but they are the least effective among the list, with a 28% rate of failure in typical use. This means among all couples that use spermicides, 28 out of 100 become pregnant in 1 year. That's why many couples use spermicides and condoms together for near-100% protection. Although spermicide brands aren't as popular as condoms, products such as VCF, Today Sponge, and Gynol II are common, readily available OTC options.
Emergency Contraception
Regardless of how careful you are, accidents happen.
And when they do, there are emergency contraception options available. As the name suggests, women can take these OTC pills after having unprotected sex or in case of birth control failure. Emergency contraceptives are most effective the sooner you take them, but their success rate stays above 95% as long as they are taken within 72 hours after sex.
The active ingredient in over-the-counter ECs is levonorgestrel, which helps delay ovulation so there's no egg for ejaculated sperm to meet. Popular brands include Plan B One-Step®, Take Action™, Aftera™, and Preventeza™, and Morning After Pill™.
Important Note: OTC emergency contraceptives are not the same as mifepristone or misoprostol, which are medications that a healthcare professional prescribes for inducing a miscarriage or blocking hormones that allow pregnancy to continue. Remember, not all drugstores carry mifepristone or misoprostol, and abortion laws can impact their availability from state to state.
Safe Use Tips & Takeaways
Heart Health Takeaways
- Do not use a condom past its expiration date. Never reuse a condom. This increases the risk of pregnancy and passing on sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Never use a male condom with a female condom or multiple male condoms at once, as this can cause tearing.
- Spermicide products are for vaginal use only and are not for rectal (anal) use. Do not use a spermicide product past its expiration date.
- If irritation or discomfort occurs when using a lubricant, discontinue use and consult a doctor or other healthcare provider.
- Hormonal and emergency oral contraception products will not protect against STIs and STDs. Do not use hormonal contraception if you have ever had an allergic reaction to its ingredients. Ask a prescriber or pharmacist before use if you are taking any new medications with oral contraception, including efavirenz (HIV medication), or rifampin (tuberculosis treatment), or medication for seizures (epilepsy). These medications may reduce the effectiveness of hormonal or emergency contraception.
- If you have any questions on how to use reproductive health products, please consult a healthcare provider. Keep all medicines and supplements out of the sight and reach of children.
