Over-the-counter oral contraception is a bad idea

[This is Maggie DeWitte’s testimony at the Iowa Capital today.]

Good Morning, my name is Maggie DeWitte, and I am the Executive Director of Iowans for LIFE. I am here today speaking against House Study Bill 121 for several reasons.

This bill states it does not include any drug intended to induce an abortion. Unfortunately, oral contraception can be abortifacient in nature. It is a medical fact that most if not all hormonal birth control drugs and devices, including the Patch and the Pill, can act to terminate a pregnancy by chemically altering the lining of the uterus (endometrium) so that a newly conceived child (human embryo) is unable to implant in the womb, thus starving and dying. This mechanism of action is termed a pre-implantation chemical abortion.

Oral Contraception is unsafe

The World Health Organization has classified combined hormonal contraception as a Group 1 carcinogen. This is the same classification as tobacco, arsenic, and asbestos. Women who use contraception for 11 years or longer are at a 210% increased risk of breast cancer. This undoubtedly is a fatal condition and treatment is often only possible when it gets diagnosed at an early stage. To avoid suffering from a chronic condition like this, all those on regular contraception can get themselves tested in a nearby cancer hospital. Even if they turn out to be suffering from cancer, the doctors can refer them to a trusted clinic similar to Amethyst (amethyst-radiotherapy.co.uk) for radiotherapy or recommend chemotherapy for severe cases.

The birth control pill is a steroid

Professional athletes cannot use steroids since they endanger their health. It has been established that using contraceptives increases the chance of blood clots, which can be deadly. They are more likely to result in heart disease, particularly in smokers. Additionally, if used regularly, these contraceptives can even contribute to the signs that heart failure is worsening. Several blood clots, heart attacks, and stroke deaths have been linked to Patch in lawsuits. The Food and Drug Administration has cautioned that the Patch carries a higher risk of blood clots than the birth control pill.

These medications should not be prescribed by anyone except a medical doctor who has access to accurate medical records and the necessary medical tests. Right now, we are also facing an epidemic of STD and hormonal contraception does not prevent the spread of these infectious diseases that in some cases are incurable.

A false sense of security which leads to abortion

Hormonal Contraception is ineffective and gives women a false sense of security. The New York Times published an article that stated that the fail rate is 38% by year five and that by year ten, 61 out of 100 women who use the pill will become pregnant.

According to a March 2017 Guttmacher Institute study,

“A substantial proportion of unintended pregnancies occur despite women’s and their partners’ use of contraceptives. In 2001, some 48% of women experiencing an unintended pregnancy had been using a method in the month of conception.”

In the same study Guttmacher also reported that …

“… about half of pregnancies terminated by induced abortions in 2008 occurred during use of contraceptives.”

So, you can give them the pills, but faulty or incorrect use makes them ineffective in reducing unplanned pregnancies.

Over-the-counter oral contraception puts women’s health at risk

This legislation will undercut / damage the physician-patient relationship. Any prescription medication carries risks, and a doctor should be monitoring those risks. It’s not the role of a pharmacist to monitor symptoms, and they do not have access to the patient’s medical history. And relying on a self-administered questionnaire is not reliable; people frequently do not remember the name or type of medication they have been on or currently on and would not know of the risks associated with that medication.

Lastly, If the intent of this bill is to reduce abortions, hormonal contraception over the counter is not the answer. It is dangerous and puts women’s health at risk. Please reconsider this bill. Thank you.

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