Opill: Success and Suspicions

The FDA’s approval of the first oral hormonal contraceptive pill, Enovid, in 1960 launched a revolution in women’s reproductive healthcare. From that one initial pill sprang a plethora of oral contraceptive choices, representing estrogen-progestin combinations in standard dose to ultra-low dose options, progesterone only pills, and cyclic or continuous use pre-packaged formulations. According to a survey conducted from 2017 to 2019 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), around 65% of women aged 15-49 use some form of birth control, with the pill being the most common birth control method used by younger women. Around 20% of women aged 15-29 use oral contraceptives. Similarly, the FDA’s approval of levonorgestrel-based (LNG) emergency contraception (EC) in 1998, and its subsequent approval of the selective progesterone receptor modulator-based option in 2010 (ullipristal acetate or UPA), provided another layer of contraceptive protection during times of unprotected or ill-protected sexual intercourse. More recently, this revolution in medical control over reproductive ability has resulted in the FDA’s approval of the first over-the-counter, norgestrel-only oral contraceptive, the Opill. This move allows the Opill to be available in a variety of venues, from online to local pharmacies and grocery stores. Nonetheless, despite this major success in women's contraception, some suspicions remain. In this episode we will review latest data on Opill and its plan for release in 2024. This has already lead to the potential for a combination OTC pill coming out soon. Have you heard of it? And...does your state already offer OTC hormnal BC? Listen in and find out more.