Earlier this year, Virginia designated July as Uterine Fibroids Awareness Month. Tatyana Antusenok/Getty Images hide caption
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Mark Cuban's Cost Plus Drugs online pharmacy is adding the oral contraceptive Yaz from Bayer to its list of discounted medicines. studiostockart/Getty Images hide caption
Democratic Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs delivers her State of the State address at the Arizona Capitol in Phoenix, Jan. 9, 2023. Adults in Arizona can now obtain contraceptive medications over the counter at a pharmacy without a doctor's prescription under a governor's order announced Thursday, July 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File) Ross D. Franklin/AP hide caption
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray discusses efforts to protect reproductive rights during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol in August 2022. Murray has re-introduced legislation that would require health insurers to cover over-the-counter birth control if the FDA approves it. Drew Angerer/Getty Images hide caption
An advisory panel to the Food and Drug Administration supported drugmaker Perrigo's application to sell the oral contraceptive Opill without a prescription. Perrigo hide caption
Advisers to the FDA back first over-the-counter birth control pill
Advisers to the Food and Drug Administration will make a recommendation about whether the agency should approve the first over-the-counter birth control pill in the U.S. Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images hide caption
In the hunt for a male contraceptive, scientists look to stop sperm in their tracks
The last male contraceptive to hit the market was the condom — about 200 years ago. Now, there are several hormonal and non-hormonal male contraceptives in early trial stages. Researchers are pursuing everything from oral pills to injections and gels. Peter Dazeley/Getty Images hide caption
A package of Aviane birth control pills. The federal program known as Title X provides birth control, tests for sexually transmitted infections, and offers other reproductive health care for low-income patients. Crixell Matthews/VPM hide caption
Research shows that expanded access to preventive care and coverage has led to an increase in colon cancer screenings, vaccinations, use of contraception and chronic disease screenings. Ngampol Thongsai/Getty Images/EyeEm hide caption
Dani Marietti's "sterilization shower" in Helena, Montana, features cookies with abortion-rights slogans, such as "My Body, My Choice," written on them in frosting. Ellis Juhlin/Yellowstone Public Radio hide caption
More people are opting to get sterilized — and some are being turned away
Why this key chance to getting permanent birth control is often missed
The 2021 study found that 32% of pharmacies did not have levonorgestrel, a hormone that can prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex, in stock at all, and of the pharmacies that did have it on the shelf, 70% of them kept it in a locked box. Seth Herald/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
Copper IUDs are a highly effective method of contraception. Some abortion rights opponents express moral objections to IUDs and other birth control methods. Science Photo Library/Getty Images/Science Photo Libra hide caption
Abortion-rights supporters demonstrate in front of the Supreme Court in May 2022. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images hide caption
Protesters and activists gather at Republique Square on the eve of the International Women's Day in Paris earlier this year. Lewis Joly/AP hide caption
Afghan women gather to protest claims of human rights violations of women by the Taliban regime. Sajjad Hussain/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
The Taliban Swore To Kill An Afghan Doctor For Giving Birth Control To A Child Bride
How An Anti-Vice Crusader Sabotaged The Early Birth Control Movement
Nicole Lynn Lewis is the author of Pregnant Girl: A Story of Teen Motherhood, College, and Creating a Better Future for Young Families. Elissa Nadworny/NPR hide caption
Joan Garcia became pregnant at 14 and gave birth at 15. She and her child travel by raft between the two shacks where they live in Navotas fish port on Manila Bay. Hannah Reyes Morales for NPR hide caption
Former Vice President Joe Biden addresses a Planned Parenthood Action Fund candidate forum in June 2019 in Columbia, S.C. The group declined to back a candidate during the Democratic primaries but announced its support for Biden on Monday. Logan Cyrus/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
Planned Parenthood Backs Biden, Seeing A 'Life And Death Election' Ahead
Birth control pills in 1976 in New York. The birth control pill was approved by the FDA 60 years ago this week. Bettmann/Getty Images hide caption