Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

MineralMan

(150,350 posts)
Thu Nov 13, 2025, 03:13 PM Nov 13

I picked up a bottle of generic Benadryl yesterday at the Supermarket. Opill?

As I was walking down the aisle afterwards, my eye was caught by a small box on the shelf. "Opill," it said. Somehow, that rang a small bell in my brain, but I forgot about. Then, later, I remembered that and somehow recognized that I had seen that name before. I could not remember, though, what it was.

Google knows everything, of course.

"Opill" is the first over the counter daily contraceptive pill. That's why I had heard of it. But, I had never seen it in a store before. Apparently, it's available now to anyone who can pick the box up and pay at the cash register.

That, folks, is a revolutionary change! Finally, a contraceptive pill that is effective, pretty safe, and affordable is an off the shelf item. Finally. No prescription needed. No doctor visit needed. All that is needed is the knowledge that you need a regular birth control method you can afford and that can be your secret if you want.

Maybe it has been available for a long time, but that's the first time I've seen it.

Don't tell anyone, though...

8 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
I picked up a bottle of generic Benadryl yesterday at the Supermarket. Opill? (Original Post) MineralMan Nov 13 OP
I've been hearing ads for that brand by a celebrity spokesperson for a while, not sure how long exactly. RockRaven Nov 13 #1
I looked it up. It has been available OTC since March of 2024. MineralMan Nov 13 #3
I found a contraceptive for men at the hardware store!!! usonian Nov 13 #2
LOL! MineralMan Nov 13 #4
better than a aspirin between the knees Shellback Squid Nov 13 #5
I graduated from high school in 1963. MineralMan Nov 13 #6
In most states, contraception was only available to married women until 1972. Arkansas Granny Nov 13 #7
Yes. Exactly. MineralMan Nov 13 #8

RockRaven

(18,464 posts)
1. I've been hearing ads for that brand by a celebrity spokesperson for a while, not sure how long exactly.
Thu Nov 13, 2025, 03:22 PM
Nov 13

The US has been very far behind in that regard, for reasons having to do with theocracy not medical science. I encountered OTC birth control pills while abroad several decades ago.

MineralMan

(150,350 posts)
3. I looked it up. It has been available OTC since March of 2024.
Thu Nov 13, 2025, 03:25 PM
Nov 13

I just hadn't noticed it, and it hasn't been major news anywhere. That's probably a good thing.

usonian

(22,613 posts)
2. I found a contraceptive for men at the hardware store!!!
Thu Nov 13, 2025, 03:25 PM
Nov 13

It's called a stopcock.



Comes in several sizes, even.

Other than the chuckle,

its good that people have CHOICE.


P.S. I don't use Google. They keep a permanent record of every search.
I use DuckDuckGo or startpage, and there are others that keep no track of your address and search, or erase those logs daily.

I can't imagine what ads you're going to get.

Thanks for the good word.

MineralMan

(150,350 posts)
4. LOL!
Thu Nov 13, 2025, 03:27 PM
Nov 13

I don't care. I've been using Google for years and years. Surprisingly, I'm not overwhelmed with ads or other stuff because of that.

Everyone should use the search tools they prefer.

Shellback Squid

(9,794 posts)
5. better than a aspirin between the knees
Thu Nov 13, 2025, 03:44 PM
Nov 13

Foster Friess: In my day, 'gals' put aspirin 'between their knees' for contraception

I wonder how warm he is right now

MineralMan

(150,350 posts)
6. I graduated from high school in 1963.
Thu Nov 13, 2025, 03:44 PM
Nov 13

In California. All contraception was essentially illegal then and there, at least if you were under 21 years of age. There was no pill. So, in my lifetime, we've gone from not being able to get contraception to being able to buy it at the supermarket without any questions.

That, folks, is progress. Despite all the bad news out there, the change during my lifetime around this is enormous. We must keep that change happening and fight any attempts to go backwards. We must!

Arkansas Granny

(32,235 posts)
7. In most states, contraception was only available to married women until 1972.
Thu Nov 13, 2025, 03:59 PM
Nov 13

It was thought that allowing single women to purchase contraceptives would lead to promiscuity.

MineralMan

(150,350 posts)
8. Yes. Exactly.
Thu Nov 13, 2025, 04:30 PM
Nov 13

The state college I attended there in 63 and 64, though, dispensed the early pill to students at the health center.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»I picked up a bottle of g...