5 Key Takeaways

• 1

  OTC access to progestin-only oral contraceptives increased contraceptive initiation by 32 percentage points among nonusers.

• 2

  More than half of OTC purchasers previously relied on no method or less-effective contraception.

• 3

  OTC users were more likely to be uninsured, live in rural areas, and be adolescents younger than 20 years.

• 4

  Convenience was the primary reason for selecting OTC access, avoiding the need for medical appointments.

• 5

  The study indicated that OTC availability reached patients with greater barriers to care, expanding access to effective contraception.