The recent US presidential election results sparked a wave of anxiety and uncertainty surrounding reproductive rights, leading to a dramatic surge in demand for abortion pills and emergency contraception. Telehealth services, providing access to these essential medications, witnessed an unprecedented influx of requests, painting a stark picture of the fears surrounding a potential Trump presidency.
Aid Access, a provider of mail-order abortion pills, reported a staggering 5,000 requests within a mere 12 hours after the election results started to favor Trump. Founder Rebecca Gomperts described the situation as “unprecedented,” highlighting the immediate and widespread concern about the potential for stricter abortion policies under a new administration.
The urgency extended beyond abortion pills. Wisp, a telehealth service offering emergency contraception, experienced a 300% increase in requests, while Plan C, an abortion pill directory, saw a massive 625% surge in traffic. The heightened demand reflects a collective effort to prepare for what many perceive as a potential “reproductive apocalypse” under Trump’s presidency, a term coined by Elisa Wells, co-founder of Plan C.
Concerns extended to the transgender community as well. QueerDoc, a service providing hormone therapy, reported a surge in emails from patients worried about their access to essential medications under a second Trump administration. The anxieties are deeply rooted in Trump’s past pronouncements on abortion and his appointment of conservative Supreme Court justices, leading to the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022. Many anticipate further legislative action targeting the prescribing and distribution of abortion pills, which now constitute the majority of US abortions.
The spike in demand for abortion pills and emergency contraception underscores the profound impact of the election results on the lives of women and the LGBTQ+ community. It highlights the deep-seated fear of a future with limited access to reproductive healthcare and the potential for a rollback of hard-won rights. The reaction serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing fight for reproductive justice in the United States.
Telehealth providers like Hey Jane, a birth control provider, saw a doubling in requests, while Winx reported six times their usual sales of Plan B emergency contraception in a single day. This surge in demand emphasizes the proactive measures taken by individuals to protect their reproductive rights in the face of perceived threats. Cynthia Plotch, co-founder of Winx, summed it up succinctly: “Women are smart. We see what is coming, and we are protecting ourselves.”
