What Women Can Do to Take Control of Their Reproductive Health & Rights Post-Roe, according to Mary Jane Minkin, M.D.
17 Abril 2024 - 8:45AM
Business Wire
An expert’s guide on
accessible reproductive health resources
The landscape of reproductive rights is undergoing a dramatic
transformation following the Supreme Court's reversal of Roe v.
Wade, leaving many women across the U.S. uncertain and concerned
about their reproductive health, autonomy, and healthcare
decisions. Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., Clinical Professor of
Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences at Yale
University, stresses the critical need for accessible contraception
and reproductive health tools to prevent unintended
pregnancies.
"The rollback on reproductive rights makes it absolutely
imperative that we prioritize comprehensive access to
contraception," says Dr. Minkin. "It's not just about preventing
pregnancy; it's about preserving the autonomy and health of women
across the nation."
Below is a summary of current accessible reproductive health
resources:
- Condoms: For those not trying to conceive, using readily
available and reliable contraception, like condoms, during each
sexual encounter is imperative. They also have the benefit of
helping to prevent transmission of STI’s and are excellent to use
in addition to any longer acting contraceptive and they give
contraceptive backup too. Trojan can be found widely at local drug,
grocery, and convenience stores.
- Emergency Contraception: The Cadence OTC Morning After
Pill can be found at neighborhood convenience stores like 7-Eleven
and online. It prevents pregnancy after unprotected sex,
contraceptive failure (like a broken condom), or sexual assault,
and is called “Emergency Contraception” as its effectiveness is
time-sensitive, making early use optimal, though it should be taken
within 72 hours.
- Dual and Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC):
Two forms of LARC are offered—IUDs and implants, which are inserted
into the uterus or arm, respectively. These methods can provide
pregnancy prevention for multiple years. Both require a medical
visit and insertion by a medical professional.
- “The Pill”: The first dual estrogen and progesterone
oral contraceptive pill, called Zena, is currently under FDA review
for over the counter (OTC) purchase. You can currently get
combination pills with a prescription from a medical professional;
if you don’t have a provider, check in with your nearest Planned
Parenthood or carafem for a wide range of birth control options
like condoms, birth control pills, emergency contraception,
IUD/IUCs, birth control implants, and Depo Provera shots.
- The Mini Pill: Opill, an OTC, progestin-only birth
control pill, is available in pharmacies, retail stores, and
online. As a progestin-only contraceptive, Opill was originally
designed for nursing mothers and those unable to take
estrogen-based contraceptives.
- Early Result Pregnancy Test: Known for its sensitivity,
The First Response Early Result Pregnancy Test can detect pregnancy
up to six days before a missed period and is crucial for timely
decisions under strict state legal constraints. This is especially
vital since some early pregnancy bleeding might be mistaken for a
regular period, underscoring the importance of accurate and early
testing.
- Medical Abortion: Women’s health clinics like carafem
offer medical abortion and abortion by mail options after a virtual
consultation to ensure safety and adherence to regulations. The
availability of such services can vary based on state laws. Medical
abortion typically involves a two-pill regimen. The first pill is
mifepristone, which blocks the hormone progesterone necessary for a
pregnancy to continue, and the other is misoprostol, taken 24 to 48
hours later, which causes the uterus to contract and expel the
pregnancy. Together, these medications are effective for
terminating an early pregnancy.
Amidst these challenges, there is a call to action to protect
and enhance avenues to safe and reliable care, especially for the
23 million women living in health deserts—areas without access to
drug and grocery stores. Fortunately, convenience stores are
stepping up, making contraception like condoms and the Morning
After Pill more accessible and affordable.
“Despite these methods' proven safety and effectiveness, access
is becoming increasingly fraught with hurdles due to recent policy
changes. With each barrier erected against abortion access, the
responsibility to provide robust contraceptive options only grows,"
Dr. Minkin adds. "We must ensure that women of all ages have the
education, resources, and confidentiality to make informed choices
about their reproductive health. Emergency contraception must
remain readily accessible; it is a vital tool in the spectrum of
reproductive health products and should be seen as such, regardless
of legislative landscapes. Time is of the essence.”
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