The XX Factor: What women really think.

More on the Pill-Selling Over the Counter

An answer from Slate medical columnist Amanda Schaffer to my question about why the Pill is a prescription drug. Amanda supports, with caveats, Kerry's argument that oral contraceptives should be sold over the counter:

The downside risks of the pill (strokes, breast cancer) are pretty small, especially with newer formulations. And the upside of reducing ovarian cancer risk (as well as preventing unwanted pregnancy, of course), has led some researchers to argue for over-the-counter access; in fact, a meta-analysis in the Lancet from last year had an accompanying editorial making this case. The counterargument is that women who smoke or get migraines should not be on the pill, and a doctor's involvement might prevent that from happening. Plus, since women stay on oral contraceptives for long periods of time, it may be wise to have more medical oversight.

Amanda and I disagree with you, Kerry, that annual visits to the gynecologist are a waste of time. Breast exams, pelvic exams—that's trouble-catching time.