COVID-19 has affected many peoples’ lives erupting changes in many daily routines. As the concept of social distancing increases, many readily available services are becoming more scarce day by day. The ability to receive contraceptive commodities is one of those things. Due to social distancing, many production companies are temporarily shutting down or have reduced working hours. Condoms companies are also a part of this range of companies that are shut down until further notice. This is causing a shortage of condoms in stores. Condoms, which was one of the most common contraceptives used by couples because of how readily available they were, are now becoming inaccessible. Another effect triggering the ability to receive commodities is the closure of clinics in rural areas. Many individuals rely on these clinics to receive their contraceptive needs and if they close down, they have to travel to another city to get them. However, non-essential travel is not allowed therefore these individuals will not have access to contraceptives. This also affects a subgroup of individuals who do not have any clinics in their area and travel to the nearest city to obtain contraceptives. Either way, contraceptives for these people are difficult to obtain during the pandemic.
COVID-19 not only affected the way people live, but also how the health care system works and the economic situation of individuals. As of now, the healthcare system has changed to only treat individuals with life-threatening issues. This is done so healthcare providers can maintain their focus on helping those with the coronavirus. Many individuals who use Combined Hormonal Contraception (CHC), Long-acting Reversible Contraception and other contraceptive methods that require trained providers to insert them are unable to get those services. For example, CHC methods require taking a pill daily, a patch weekly, or an injection monthly. Any of these methods disrupted can make the contraception ineffective. CHC is also used to treat heavy periods, reducing acne, or to relieve hormonal pains. The lack of access affects many individuals. The lack of employment also affects who can have access to reproductive health care. Due to social distancing many non-essential businesses have closed down, this has caused many individuals to file for unemployment. People who worked to pay for contraceptive methods with a high effective rate cannot afford them. Once the spread of COVID-19 slows down and the ability to obtain contraceptives such as CHC and LARC becomes normal again, individuals who were unemployed during this time will not be able to manage to pay for them. This will cause inequity in our health care system by the types of individuals who can obtain contraceptives.
Due to the lack of contraceptive methods available, there are many consequences individuals may face. Women may look into performing a self-induced abortion because of the lack of clinics open currently. An abortion performed without a skilled health care professional is unsafe and could lead to death. Another consequence is unintended pregnancies, unwanted or mistimed pregnancies. This consequence is due to the lack of contraceptive methods obtainable at stores and clinics. A third consequence is a decrease in the health of the women. Pregnant women are susceptible to having severe infections such as COVID-19. Women who aren’t able to carry a child with pre-existing conditions are at risk because they cannot get the proper treatment from healthcare providers.
Due to the pandemic, abortion is being suspended in states like Alaska. This can lead to decisions a woman has to make. One choice a woman has is to perform an unsafe abortion. A consequence of this is the risk of infection, infertility, an incomplete abortion, or death. Another choice an individual has is waiting until the pandemic slows down. A barrier to this is that states, especially conservatives states, may suspend having an abortion for a long time since they are in control. Marginalized groups like low-income individuals who cannot afford to have a child are affected by this barrier and consequence. Couples who are currently unemployed will not have the financial resources to support a baby’s needs which could risk the health of the baby. If the unemployed woman does an unsafe abortion and needs immediate treatment, she will not have the money to pay off that treatment leading to mental issues and financial problems in the future.