Interest in period pills in the United States: a nationally representative survey, 2021-2022.

Abstract

Objectives: Period pills are a method used to induce bleeding when a menstrual period is late and pregnancy is suspected but not confirmed. This practice enables people to ensure they are not pregnant, without first confirming the existence of a pregnancy. We aimed to measure the extent of interest in period pills.

Methods: We used data from a nationally representative panel survey implemented December 2021-January 2022 among people ages 15-49 assigned female sex at birth to explore interest in and support for period pills after reading descriptive information about them. We estimated the weighted national prevalence of interest in potentially using the pills and support for their availability. We used weighted bivariate logistic regression to examine factors associated with these two outcomes.

Results: Among the 6,964 participants in the analytic sample, one-quarter (24%, 95% CI: 22%, 25%) reported that they would consider personally using period pills, and another 19% (95% CI: 17%, 20%) were uncertain. Half of participants (52%, 95% CI: 50%, 53%) said they were in favor of period pills being available, and another 24% (95% CI: 23%, 26%) were uncertain. Factors associated with both considering using or supporting their availability include being ages 18-29 (vs. 40-49), completing college, never having been married, having a prior abortion, identifying as LGBQ+, and having experienced barriers to sexual and reproductive health services.

Conclusions: There is substantial public interest in and support for period pills, which supports expanding options that enable people to control their fertility.

Implications: Given the substantial interest in period pills found in this study, clinicians should consider offering them as an additional option to control their fertility.