The Evidence

The case for moving birth control pills over the counter in the United States is strong. If you’re looking for a quick reference on the evidence, these resources are a great place to start. If you want to dive deeper or want more information on a specific topic, check out our Resource Library where you can explore by areas of interest.

Evidence for bringing progestin-only birth control pills (POPs) over the counter

As the name implies, progestin-only birth control pills contain one hormone: progestin

Featured
Research, Key Evidence
cost, interest, OTC access, progestin-only pills, unintended pregnancy, United States, young people
Modeling the impacts of price of an over-the-counter progestin-only pill on use and unintended pregnancy among US women
Research, Key Evidence
cost, interest, OTC access, progestin-only pills, unintended pregnancy, United States, young people
Research, Key Evidence
cost, interest, OTC access, progestin-only pills, unintended pregnancy, United States, young people
Research, Key Evidence
cost, interest, progestin-only pills, United States, young people
Interest in over-the-counter access to a progestin-only pill among women in the United States
Research, Key Evidence
cost, interest, progestin-only pills, United States, young people
Research, Key Evidence
cost, interest, progestin-only pills, United States, young people
Research, Key Evidence
combined oral contraceptives, contraindications, FDA, OTC access, progestin-only pills, safety and efficacy, unintended pregnancy, United States, young people
Over-the-counter access to oral contraceptives for adolescents
Research, Key Evidence
combined oral contraceptives, contraindications, FDA, OTC access, progestin-only pills, safety and efficacy, unintended pregnancy, United States, young people
Research, Key Evidence
combined oral contraceptives, contraindications, FDA, OTC access, progestin-only pills, safety and efficacy, unintended pregnancy, United States, young people
Research, Key Evidence
contraindications, global, progestin-only pills, safety and efficacy, state, United States
Contraindications to progestin-only oral contraceptive pills among reproductive-aged women
Research, Key Evidence
contraindications, global, progestin-only pills, safety and efficacy, state, United States
Research, Key Evidence
contraindications, global, progestin-only pills, safety and efficacy, state, United States

Evidence for bringing combined oral contraceptives (COCs) over the counter

Sometimes called combined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs)—or simply “The Pill”—these birth control pills contain a combination of two hormones: progestin and estrogen.

Featured
Research, Key Evidence
combined oral contraceptives, contraceptive use, FDA, OTC access, safety and efficacy, United States
Pilot label comprehension study for an over-the-counter combined oral contraceptive pill in the United States
Research, Key Evidence
combined oral contraceptives, contraceptive use, FDA, OTC access, safety and efficacy, United States
Research, Key Evidence
combined oral contraceptives, contraceptive use, FDA, OTC access, safety and efficacy, United States
Research, Key Evidence
combined oral contraceptives, contraindications, FDA, OTC access, progestin-only pills, safety and efficacy, unintended pregnancy, United States, young people
Over-the-counter access to oral contraceptives for adolescents
Research, Key Evidence
combined oral contraceptives, contraindications, FDA, OTC access, progestin-only pills, safety and efficacy, unintended pregnancy, United States, young people
Research, Key Evidence
combined oral contraceptives, contraindications, FDA, OTC access, progestin-only pills, safety and efficacy, unintended pregnancy, United States, young people
Research, Key Evidence
combined oral contraceptives, contraindications, global, OTC access, prescription access, safety and efficacy, state, United States
Contraindications to combined oral contraceptives among over-the-counter compared with prescription users
Research, Key Evidence
combined oral contraceptives, contraindications, global, OTC access, prescription access, safety and efficacy, state, United States
Research, Key Evidence
combined oral contraceptives, contraindications, global, OTC access, prescription access, safety and efficacy, state, United States
Research, Key Evidence
combined oral contraceptives, contraindications, safety and efficacy, state, United States
Accuracy of self-screening for contraindications to combined oral contraceptive use
Research, Key Evidence
combined oral contraceptives, contraindications, safety and efficacy, state, United States
Research, Key Evidence
combined oral contraceptives, contraindications, safety and efficacy, state, United States