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California emergency contraception demand rising, says online birth control company

Despite California’s safe haven reputation, the overturn of Roe vs. Wade was followed by an increase in demand for emergency contraception.

Nurx, a telehealth company that offers sexual and reproductive health services, reported a 90% increase in demand for its emergency contraception in California in June — the same month the Supreme Court ruling was overturned — compared to May.

Emergency contraception, also known as the morning after pill, is a type of birth control people can use to prevent pregnancy after having unprotected sex, according to the Mayo Clinic.

The demand for the contraception in California continues to grow, with a 15% increase in July for the company, compared to May.

The telehealth company added that, overall, birth control demand has been up nationwide since the ruling.

Why demand is up

Fear of what’s to come is driving the demand for birth control.

“People that can get pregnant are really concerned about getting contraception and also to have emergency contraception on hand, in case they don’t have access to services should an unwanted pregnancy take place,” said Dr. Emily Rymland, a nurse practitioner and director of nursing and clinical services at Nurx.

Emergency contraception pills do not end a pregnancy, instead they work to delay or prevent ovulation, according to the Mayo Clinic.

She said requests for birth control are up particularly in states that are making abortions more restrictive or planning to ban the procedure, such as Indiana which became the first state to overturn abortion on Aug. 5, following Roe.

While California has been pushing policies to protect abortion access, including a law that protects people coming to California for the procedure that was signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom in June, Rymland said people are not entirely relaxed.

“You never know what’s going to happen with the next election,” she said.

Demand for male birth control up, too

Demand for vasectomies parallel that of contraceptives.

A vasectomy is a type of male birth control procedure that blocks sperm from semen, preventing pregnancy, according to the Mayo Clinic.

NBC News reported that there was an increase in calls requesting information about and appointments for vasectomies across the country, including Ohio, Florida and Missouri.

How to access contraceptives

A prescription is necessary for birth control pills. It can be provided to you by healthcare professionals, Planned Parenthood health centers or from telehealth services.

For those that are concerned about sharing their information when requesting birth control, Rymland recommends people look into companies that do not sell health information.

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