The aftermath of Donald Trump’s recent election victory has sent shockwaves throughout the healthcare sector, particularly concerning reproductive rights and access. With fears about future regulations looming, many people are scrambling to secure their access to contraceptive methods and abortion medications.
Since the announcement of Trump's election, the sales figures for birth control and emergency contraception have seen astonishing increases. Brands like Plan B and Restart have noted spikes as high as 9,000% weekly, indicating growing public concern and demand for these products. This busy market reflects not only anxiety about potential changes to reproductive health policies but also the real ramifications of the political climate.
Women across the U.S. are increasingly reaching out to healthcare providers for long-acting birth control options, like intrauterine devices (IUDs). Dr. Dawn Bingham, an OB-GYN practicing in South Carolina — where abortion restrictions are among the strictest — has confirmed this shift firsthand. “Patients are scared,” she said, reflecting the mood many women feel post-election, amid worries about possible limitations to their reproductive health options.
Despite Trump's claims to the contrary, skepticism abounds. Earlier, he hinted at openness to state-level restrictions on contraception, which has only heightened anxiety. Healthcare providers report significant upticks—760% for IUD appointments and 350% for progestin implant requests—immediately after his election. This urgency indicates many women would rather be safe than sorry, fearing restrictions could soon be on the way.
Hey Jane, a company focused on providing access to abortion services, recorded significant spikes as well. Their CEO, Kiki Freedman, stated, "While we are incredibly disappointed” with Trump's victory, she emphasized, “we want to be clear: People can still access abortion care with Hey Jane.” This sentiment seems to resonate with many who are now seeking assurance and information during such uncertain times.
These unprecedented purchasing trends are not purely reactions to the election results. Just last year, following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, there was also increased interest in abortion-related medications. According to the JAMA Internal Medicine, there was heightened demand for mifepristone, which is deemed to be the medication used for 63% of abortions carried out last year. Following Trump’s election, mifepristone sales alone rose by 25% within days.
The political climate has provoked even more drastic decisions among women, with some now contemplating permanent contraceptive methods like tubal ligation. Bingham noted, “More patients, younger patients, and some patients who have never been pregnant are requesting permanent contraception.” Their decisions reflect heightened concerns about reproductive autonomy and unpredictable future restrictions.
Surprisingly, the surge isn't solely confined to women seeking to secure their contraceptive options; men are increasingly showing interest too. Planned Parenthood's site for vasectomy information observed web traffic increase by 1,200% the day after the election, showcasing the overall shift in conversations around contraceptive responsibility.
Meanwhile, organizations like Planned Parenthood are striving to clarify the murky waters surrounding post-Dobbs accessibility to reproductive health care. According to Danika Severino Wynn, VP for care and access at Planned Parenthood, “The trends we see make it clear access to sexual and reproductive health care is top of mind for many.” This sentiment rings particularly true among those living under restrictive state laws.
Mixed messages seem to blossom from Trump himself, adding confusion to the matter. When asked about potential birth control restrictions during his campaign, he stated, “We’re looking at it,” which sent alarm bells ringing. Yet he later insisted, “I HAVE NEVER, AND WILL NEVER ADVOCATE FOR IMPOSING RESTRICTIONS ON BIRTH CONTROL.” This flip-flopping creates uncertainty and fuels the urgency many feel around their reproductive health choices.
The conservative project known as Project 2025 has added another layer of complexity, calling for the FDA to revoke mifepristone's approval, which raises the specter of making access even more complicated. Though Trump has distanced himself from Project 2025 during the campaign, some key authors have been named to significant posts within his administration.
Historically, the Comstock Act, from the 1870s, made it illegal to share any information on reproductive health and helped criminalize the distribution of contraceptives. If pressed, such laws could make accessing birth control challenging and confusing, even if deemed unconstitutional post-Roe.
The current environment undoubtedly raises fears of entrapment for women seeking autonomy over their reproductive health decisions. Many are left uncertain about the legality of abortion medications within their respective states, and as per a KFF survey, half of adults are unsure about these legalities six months after the Dobbs ruling.
Facing potential restrictions drives home the psychological weight of this political shift, with many feeling forced to act now to avoid regret later. The trend suggests more than mere panic buying; it embodies the deep-rooted tensions and fears surrounding women’s rights and access to healthcare.
While the healthcare industry adjusts to these spikes and shifts—measured not just by numbers but by the real lives impacted—women are reminded of the continuous battle for autonomy over their reproductive choices. Perhaps the most disheartening aspect of these sales spikes isn't just the numbers, but rather what they represent: the need for women to protect their rights amid the uncertain political climate.