SUMMARY:

ACOG supports over-the-counter availability of hormonal contraception as a way of reducing inconsistent use or nonuse. Data demonstrates that adherence rates are similar whether hormonal contraception is obtained via a prescriber or over-the-counter. In addition, the ACOG opinion is consistent with AAFP, AMA and APHA in its support of unrestricted access. ACOG does not call for age restrictions except that contraception should not be initiated before menarche.

KEY POINTS:

VTE Risk

• Progestin-only methods
  • Would incur only “a small increase in absolute numbers of thrombotic events at the population level”
• Combined hormonal contraceptives (i.e., including estrogen such as ethinyl estradiol)
  • OCPs: 3 to 9 events per 10,000 woman-years of exposure
  • Nonoral (e.g., patch or ring): Evidence inconsistent and if risk present, “likely represents a small number of events on a population level”
  • Note: VTE risks lower than those associated with pregnancy and postpartum which can reach up to 40 to 60 per 10,000 women-years | Other CVD outcomes such as MI or stroke are rare and unclear if there is increased risk | Obesity may raise risk but still below pregnancy risk

Self-Injection

• Understood that DMPA will require self-administration via subQ
• Women with certain disorders (e.g., diabetes) are taught how to self-inject and there are studies substantiating successful administration specific to DMPA with appropriate education and training

Self-Screening for Contraindications

General Points

• Self-screening tools are available and are required to identify women who are not candidates for hormonal contraceptives (see Box 1 in ACOG Opinion with link in ‘Primary Sources – Learn More’ below)
• Research indicates that women tend to be cautious and self-assessment in most studies did not result incorrect use of OCPs
• Studies conducted to assess pharmacist screening for behind-the-counter access also demonstrated safety and appropriate use
  • However, ACOG states “Pharmacist-provided contraception may be a necessary intermediate step to increase access to contraception, but over-the-counter access to hormonal contraception should be the ultimate goal.”

DMPA and Progestin-only pills Exam and Lab Requirements (CDC – see ‘Learn More – Primary Sources’)

• Not required

Combined Hormonal Contraception Exam and Lab Requirements (CDC – see ‘Learn More – Primary Sources’)

• Blood pressure (Class A)
  • Essential and mandatory in all circumstances for safe and effective use of the contraceptive method
  • In instances in which blood pressure cannot be measured by a provider, blood pressure measured in other settings can be reported by the woman to her provider
• Weight (BMI)
  • Not needed to determine medical eligibility for any methods of contraception because all methods can be used (U.S. MEC 1) or generally can be used (U.S. MEC 2) among obese women
  • Measuring weight and calculating BMI at baseline might be helpful for monitoring any changes and counseling women who might be concerned about weight change perceived to be associated with their contraceptive method
• The following all fall under ‘Class C’ which means they do not contribute substantially to safe and effective use of the contraceptive method and therefore would not be required prior to contraceptive use
  • Bimanual examination and cervical inspection
  • Laboratory tests (universal screening in asymptomatic women)
    • Glucose| Lipids | Liver enzymes | Hemoglobin | Thrombogenic mutations | Cervical cytology (Papanicolaou smear) | STD screening with laboratory tests | HIV screening with laboratory tests

Who Should Not Use Combined Hormonal Contraception

VTE WARNING – Category 3 or 4 (risks outweigh benefits or unacceptable risk for)

• Smoking ≥35 years of age
• Postpartum <21 days
• Postpartum 21-42 days with additional risk factors
  • ≥35 years of age | Previous VTE | Thrombophilia | Immobility | Transfusion at delivery | Peripartum Cardiomyopathy | BMI ≥30 | PPH | Postcesarean delivery | preeclampsia | smoking
• Major surgery with immobilization
• History of DVT or PE
• Hereditary thrombophilia including antiphospholipid syndrome
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease with
  • Active or extensive disease | Surgery | Immobilization | Steroid use | Vitamin deficiencies | Fluid depletion
• SLE with positive or unknown antiphospholipid antibodies
• Superficial DVT (acute or history)

Other Issues to Consider Prior To Obtaining Over-The-Counter Combined Hormonal Contraception (Related to Estrogen Component)

• Aside from ensuring the patient is not a VTE risk (category 3 or 4) and is normotensive, ask about
  • Chance of current pregnancy
  • CVD history (heart attack or stroke)
  • Migraine headaches (with aura)
  • Liver disease or cancer | Gall bladder disease (acute cholecystitis/cholangitis)
  • Breast cancer and other estrogen dependent cancers
  • On medications for hyperlipidemia

Learn More – Primary Sources:

Over-the-Counter Access to Hormonal Contraception

CDC MMWR (2016): US Selected Practice Recommendations for contraceptive Use, 2016

Related ObG Topics: