
Birth Control Apps give experienced women accessibility and convenience.
STATES CHRONICLE – Birth control medication can be made available to women living in the United States via several smartphone apps. Using an app to get a hold of birth control has both its advantages and its disadvantages. Current statistics indicate that, in some areas of the United States, it is quite the popular option.
Using an app to get birth control offers accessibility and convenience. Firstly, women have more constant access to their smartphones rather than to a doctor. One might not be in close range, requiring both difficult to schedule appointments, as well as a long time to get there.
In addition, the app does not require parental permission for young women who are at the age of 14 or 15. Scheduling a visit to the doctor generally requires having a parent present as well. The apps do not need parental permission. However, on registration, they do require uploading a photo ID to confirm identity as well as filling out a virtual form.
Doctors believe that overall the addition of the app will be beneficial. Nevertheless, they have stressed out the importance of proper research and documentation when picking out the appropriate birth control. None of the current apps on the market have a comprehensive knowledge base integrated.
Women who already have prior experience with taking birth control end up with the most to gain from using the app. Young women or women who have not taken birth control before stand a chance to order or take the medication in an improper manner.
Several of the apps do have various tools which prove to be very useful. The most common option is that of the daily reminder which is a simple notification built into the app. Monthly reminders also exist. In addition, menstrual calendars can help women keep track of their cycles and medications.
Medication ordered from apps is usually procured from pharmacies which are nearby the user’s billing address. It is commonly delivered at an address or can be made available for pick-up. Buying the birth control can also be managed through the app similar to a monthly subscription service. Most apps will charge the user’s credit card for their cost of the birth control and the delivery.
Image Courtesy of Public Domain Pictures.