Running head: ARE YOU ON THE PILL?

Are you on the pill?

Should women be able to be without a prescription?
Jovanna Nichole Morales
El Paso Community College

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Abstract

Birth control pills are very beneficial to many women. Although, to get these pills it must be with
a prescription from a doctor. The argument is why and should women be able to get birth control
pills over the counter without a prescription? The main purpose and points in this essay are not to
force ones opinion to change it is mainly to inform and maybe with the proper knowledge you
yourself can change your own mind. The various benefits of taking the pill are listed as well as
myths out there in the world being said about the pill that scare many people off and put a bad
label to them. There is nothing but positivity that comes out of being on the pill and in reading
this excerpt you learn just that. I used many credible sites for my information, written or edited
by medics themselves. I myself take birth control pills as well and so I know firsthand the
benefits and how much these pills can help your body. I believe one cannot try to inform
someone about anything unless they know enough themselves about the topic. I am privileged
enough to have health insurance and had no problem getting the help I needed from these pills
but not everyone has that privilege. I will proudly be the voice speaking out for them in getting
the benefits of these birth control pills with no prescription needed.

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Should women be able to access birth control pills without a prescription?

Women, that is the keyword in the question being asked above. Why should anyone else
but women have a say in this? Women should be able to have control over their own body and
what happens to it post sex. But birth control pills can be helpful to you in many different ways,
not only with preventing pregnancy. Many see these pills as a gate way or an ok to have sex
with whoever as many times as they want and not have to worry about becoming pregnant. Birth
control pills however do not protect against any sexually transmitted diseases at all. With that
being said it is in no way, shape, or form an ok to have sex. And with research you can see the
positivity that comes out of taking these pills certainly outweighs the negative.
Of course these magic little pills didnt just appear out of midair, in the BC era there
wasnt anything like birth control pills. Over the years, the ways to prevent pregnancy evolved
and become more effective and beneficial. Just a brief history on the background of birth control,
around 3000 BC condoms were made out of such materials as fish bladders, linen sheaths, and
animal intestines (Thompson, 2013). In 1838 condoms were starting to be made from vulcanized
rubber (Thompson, 2013). In 1916 Margaret Sanger was the first to open a birth control clinic in
the United States. Birth control was very frown upon in these days and so the next year she was
deemed guilty of maintaining a public nuisance and sentenced to jail for 30 days. Once she was
released she re-opened her clinic and continued to go through more arrests and prosecutions
(Thompson, 2013). Years later, while in her 80s, Sanger underwrote the research necessary to
create the first human birth control pill. She raised $150,000 for the project (Thompson, 2013).
And so in 1960 the first oral contraceptive, Enovid, was approved by the US Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) as contraception (Thompson, 2013). Although this birth control pill was
only allowed to married couples, single women were not allowed any access to these pills

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legally. During the 90s is when things started to change and the pill was slowly being allowed to
all women, married or single. Also different forms of birth control began to evolve such as
injections, IUD placements, female condoms, and Plan B emergency contraceptives (Thompson,
2013). Today, there is still ongoing research on new ways of birth control and the safety of it.
Many however are already beginning to join the birth control bandwagon.
In states like Oregon, a law was passed on New Years Day allowing women to have
access to birth control pills without a prescription. California, Colorado, and Washington are not
far behind on this decision as well (Marcus, 2016). However, this isnt a grab and go situation
like everyone thinks, as like when you go to Walmart to purchase Ibuprofen or Nyquil. The law
states women who are of age 18 or older who'd like to purchase birth control pills or hormonal
patches to reduce their chances of becoming pregnant will be required to provide written health
information first (Marcus, 2016). Then that information will be given to a pharmacist who has
received special training and will review it to decide whether to give the green light or not
(Marcus, 2016). In the words by Dr. Mark DeFrancesco, president of the American Congress of
Obstetricians and Gynecologists, It's a positive step that improves access for women (Marcus,
2016). While there's still a slightly increased risk, as there is in any medication, for stroke and
deep vein thrombosis in women who take birth control pills he said, "In my 30 years of practice,
I've seen rarely, rarely, deep vein thrombosis or stroke, the pill has been around for about 55
years now. It's very safe (Marcus, 2016).

Benefits

ARE YOU ON THE PILL?

Often called, the Pill, oral contraceptive pills, or hormonal pills, are given to you in
place of a hormone missing in your body and there are countless benefits that come out of taking
these pills. Medical uses of the birth control pills is a big benefit. There are many different types
of pills with the levels and type of hormones varying by product to fit your needs and your body
(Marcus, 2016).
Irregular or no period at all
The most common problem seen in most women is that their body does not produce the
right amount of a hormone called estrogen (Medical Uses). Estrogen is a very important
hormone in women that helps with healthy bone growth and a healthy normal menstrual cycle
(Medical Uses). Many things can be the cause of the low production of estrogen. Things like
stress, low weight, and excessive exercise, even damage to the ovaries from radiation or
chemotherapy in cancer patients (Medical Uses). Being put on birth control pills replaces
estrogen and helps regulate a womens period.
Menstrual Cramps
If you are able to get your period every month you may be one of many women that
experience severe menstrual cramps. When over-the-counter medications dont help birth control
pills may be the solution because they prevent ovulation and help produce lightened periods
(Medical Uses).
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
On the opposite end of your body not being able to produce enough estrogen is when
your body produces too much of a certain hormone and causes you to have a hormonal
imbalance. This can also cause an irregular menstrual cycle, acne, and excess hair growth

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(Medical Uses). Being put on birth control pills to treat this syndrome will help normalize your
hormone levels and bring you back to a normal period. Also on the bright side, with the pills the
excess hair growth often normalizes as well (Medical Uses).
Acne
For moderate to severe acne that hasnt already been cured by any over the counter
medication or creams, birth control pills may be prescribed. The hormones in the pills may help
to stop the acne from forming. Although, this doesnt happen overnight since it takes a few
months for the pills to actually start working in your body (Medical Uses).
The benefits to taking birth control pills can continue going on and on. Now, in knowing
all the good that they do and learning that there are still some restrictions, paperwork, and proof
of medical need going on in order to get your hands on birth control pills, what is holding you
back? It might be the numerous amount of myths out there about birth control that I believe is
time they be put to rest. One big myth is taking the pill causes weight gain. Research has
shown that the pill does not cause any more weight gain that wouldnt happen already anyways
(Birth Control Myths, 2015). As women grow older, while taking the pill and gain weight, they
tend to blame it on the pill when in reality its just your body growing and changing. Another
common myth is birth control affects your chances of having a baby in the future (Birth
Control Myths, 2015). This is also false. Birth control is safe and does not affect your chances of
having children in the future at all. Women on the pill will be able to get pregnant when theyd
like to just as quickly as a women who has never taken birth control pills. (Birth Control Myths,
2015). Lastly, you should take breaks from taking the pill for health reasons there is no
medical reason to have to take a break from taking birth control unless youd like to become

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pregnant. There is no limit on the number of years you can be on birth control pills. Also, coming
on and off from taking the pill may actually hurt you more than just staying on (Gueren, 2015).
In conclusion, taking birth control pills does nothing but help you in ways your own body
cant. There is no harm being done and for that reason they shouldnt be held back from women.
Not having the luxury of health insurance may make it hard for some to pay for a visit to the
gynecologists to get the prescription you need to be on birth control pills. Going back to the fact
that birth control pills dont only help with preventing pregnancy but also with health situations.
Many women may continue to have an irregular period or severe cramps for the simple fact that
they cannot afford to pay a doctor for a piece of paper saying yes they need these pills. No one
knows your body like you do.

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Resources

Birth Control Myths and Facts. (2015, April 15). Choosing a Birth Control Method. Retrieved
from http://www.familypact.org/Providers/Client-Education-Materials/20144_BCMyths_ ENG_client_4-15ADA.pdf
Gueren, C. (2015, July 29). 13 Things Most People Get Wrong About Birth Control. BuzzFeed
Life. Retrieved from http://www.buzzfeed.com/caseygueren/birth-controlmyths#.jgELJP9Z28
Marcus, M. B. (2016, January 04). Should birth control pills be available without a prescription?
CBS News. Retrieved from http://www.cbsnews.com/news/birth-control-pills-noprescription-needed-in-oregon/
Medical Uses of the Birth Control Pill. (2014, March 26). Center for Young Women's Health.
Retrieved from http://youngwomenshealth.org/2011/10/18 /medical-uses-of-the-birthcontrol-pill/
Stoppler, M. C. Birth Control Pills (Oral Contraceptives). MedicineNet. Retrieved from
http://www.medicinenet.com/oral_contraceptives_birth_control_pills/article.htm
Thompson, K. M.J. (2013, December 14). A Brief History of Birth Control in the U.S. Our
Bodies Ourselves. Retrieved from http://www.ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/a-briefhistory-of-birth-control/