The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) stated in new legislation last week that Birth Control has more negative than positive side effects. These side effects are listed in the legislation as one of the reasons why the pill should be regulated. Critics on Twitter argued all forms of medication have negative side effects.
Birth control saved me from loosing both of my ovaries. EVERY medication out there has some negative or potentially fatal side effects.
— MegaMuffin (@muffin_mega) October 8, 2017
Negative side effects
According to the New York Times, the 163 page HHS document released last week states the symptoms of hormonal contraception can cause negative health effects - something all forms of medication can arguably cause.
Planned Parenthood states the negative side effects of birth control, such as nausea, usually dissipate after two to three months. When used correctly, the medication will prevent pregnancy, lighten menstrual cycles, and eliminate the symptoms that come with a cycle.
Additionally, the document states between 1972 to 2002 sexually active women using contraception rose to 98 percent, but unintended pregnancies rose by 35.4 to 49 percent. However, a 2016 Center of Disease Control (CDC) study states unintended pregnancies decreased to 45 percent in 2011. Increasing access to efficient and correct contraception will cause this number to drop further, according to the CDC.
The restrictions
The HHC also announced through this legislation that the Obama administration's conception coverage mandate--which provided women with no-cost birth control--will be dissolved.
Critics argue a number of women could lose access to contraception coverage. The legislation allows employers and insurers to exempt themselves from providing birth control if it goes against their religious or moral standards.
According to the New York Times, the number of women paying out of pocket for oral contraception dropped to 4 percent after the affordable care act came into fruition.
This saved women up to 1.4 billion in 2013. Planned Parenthood tweeted 62.4 million women gained access to birth control through the Obamacare mandate.
In 2017, it is unbelievable that we're still fighting for access to birth control. We won't go back: https://t.co/42FohTMz48 pic.twitter.com/AdHUuOk5KD
— Planned Parenthood (@PPact) October 9, 2017
An HHS official told Fox News last week that of the 165 million women in the US, only 120,000 women will be affected--meaning 99.9 percent of women who use birth control can continue to do so.
It is unclear at this time if this number is accurate because companies and insurers have yet to exempt themselves from providing the medication. The New York Times is reporting the Trump administration stated only the nine companies already using this accommodation will use this legislation to become fully exempt.
