Contraceptive Technology Update – September 1, 2022

An Over-the-Counter Birth Control Pill Could Be a Game-Changer

The application for the first OTC birth control pill in the United States marks a new chapter in the ever-changing reproductive healthcare environment of 2022. In June, Perrigo Company announced its HRA Pharma arm submitted an application to the FDA to approve its progestin-only daily birth control pill, Opill, for OTC status.

Research Shows High Levels of Interest for OTC Medication Abortion

A recent study that is part of a long-term research project about the possibility of OTC medication abortion found a high interest, among abortion patients, in accessing OTC abortion pills.

It Is a New Day for Reproductive Providers

For many in the fields of family planning and reproductive health, it is a new day — but it is not going to be a better day.

Repercussions of State Abortion Bans

The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade changes nearly everything for physicians who provide abortion care, especially for those in states that have banned the procedure. Reproductive health providers in abortion-ban states may face criminal charges if they perform an abortion — even when the pregnant patient’s life and health are at risk.

How to Answer Patients’ Questions After Abortion Bans

If you are a reproductive health clinician, OB/GYN, or someone who wants to avoid pregnancy until you are ready, then it is only natural to be worried and afraid in today’s environment in which Roe v. Wade is gone — and the rights to contraceptive care also seem to be on the chopping block in some states. Contraceptive Technology Update asked various medical, legal, and digital security experts for answers to patients’ questions.

Abortion Care Workforce Faces Biggest Crisis in Five Decades

One major effect of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade will be on the reproductive healthcare workforce, particularly people who work for abortion clinics.

Rise in Syphilis Has Far-Reaching Effect on U.S. Population

Syphilis cases have skyrocketed in recent years, and repercussions include a lower quality of life for people affected by the disease. CDC preliminary data from 2021 show a 34% increase in syphilis cases among women and a 6% increase in syphilis among newborns. The CDC’s 2020 data show a 235% increase in congenital syphilis from 2016.

Contact Tracing Barriers Exposed During COVID-19 Crisis

Over recent decades, public health officials have used contact tracing to varying degrees of success. The focus on STIs, HIV, and COVID-19 has shifted and changed. Yet it is the new surge in syphilis cases that highlights the importance of contact tracing and how damaging it can be when there are not enough public health officials and healthcare providers to identify people who are exposed and convince them to seek testing.

Study: LARC Use Does Not Increase STI Rates Among Young People

New research shows that long-acting reversible contraceptives are not a factor in the nation’s rising STI rates.