JAMA Network Home
Sign In
Original Investigation

Over-the-Counter Oral Contraceptive Use and Initiation of Contraception

JAMA Network Open 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.27438

August 18, 2025 at 11:00 AM EDT

Read the full article

Is access to an over-the-counter (OTC) oral contraceptive pill (OCP) associated with improved contraceptive initiation among US individuals with structural barriers to care?In this cross-sectional study of 986 oral contraceptive users, individuals relying on OTC access were more likely than prescription users to be uninsured, adolescent, and living in rural areas. OTC access resulted in a 31.8 percentage point increase in individuals shifting from no contraceptive method to an effective method, a significant difference.These findings suggest that OTC OCP may improve access to effective contraception in the US.

Corresponding Author: Maria I. Rodriguez, MD, MPH, Center for Reproductive Health Equity, Oregon Health rodrigma@ohsu.edu).

Link to the article in your story

We encourage you to link out to this article in your story using the link below. It includes an access token that will give free access to the article for your readers up to one year after publication. (The link will be live after the article publishes and embargo is lifted.)

https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.27438?utm_source=for_the_media&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=ftm_links&utm_term=081825

Copy to clipboard

Please see the article for additional information, including full author list, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.

Need more information? Contact us.

Editor's Picks