ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the vulnerability of global contraception provision, exacerbating the barriers to access reproductive health services, leading to suspension of clinical services and disruption of supply chains. Critical to combatting this crisis is the expansion of healthcare to include self-care approaches to de-medicalize contraception and increase an individual's agency in determining what method they use, when they use it, and where they obtain it. Expanding the mix of self-administered contraceptives is essential for ensuring choice, access, and availability. We highlight advances in the self-care movement and actions needed to strengthen self-management approaches to maximize our chances of preventing a reproductive health crisis.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Contraception/methods , Contraceptive Devices/supply & distribution , Family Planning Services/supply & distribution , Health Services Accessibility , Self-Management/methods , Family Planning Services/methods , Global Health , Humans , Self AdministrationABSTRACT
Following the World Health Organization's definition of self-care, abortion self-care is the ability of pregnant individuals to manage their unwanted pregnancies with or without the support of health care providers-particularly, in the early weeks of pregnancy. The advent of medication abortion (MA) has made this possible, as early self-managed MA at home is a safe, acceptable and cost-effective method of pregnancy termination. Here, Quesada et al focus on regulatory aspects of MA that determine women's access to quality and affordable abortifacient drugs, as well as to accurate information on their use.