.png)
Concerns about potential restrictions on reproductive health access have prompted women across the U.S. to stockpile emergency contraception and abortion pills following the presidential election. Providers report a sharp increase in demand for these medications as fears grow over what a second Trump administration could mean for reproductive rights. Many women are proactively ordering medications as a precautionary measure, citing uncertainty and a sense of empowerment in taking action.
On the day after the election, Beth Ryan, a Florida resident, purchased multiple Plan B pills for her 27-year-old daughter in Colorado. She was motivated by a sense of helplessness and fear about potential policy changes. “I think I felt better because I could control something,” she said. Similar actions are being echoed nationwide, with telehealth and reproductive health providers experiencing unprecedented demand.
Telehealth provider Wisp reported selling over 10,000 Plan B pills in the five days following the election, compared to fewer than 5,000 during the same period the week prior. Monica Cepak, Wisp's chief executive, noted that 90% of these sales involved multi-pack purchases, a trend largely driven by new customers. “Women are truly stocking up,” she said, highlighting the uncertainty fueling this surge.
The Massachusetts Medication Abortion Access Project (MAP) also experienced a dramatic increase in inquiries, receiving over 1,000 requests for abortion pills the day after the election—about seven times the typical daily rate. Dr. Angel M. Foster, MAP's director, noted that many of these inquiries were from women seeking advance provision, or medications to keep on hand for future use. “The folks who are asking for pills for future use are writing comments like, ‘I’m terrified of a national abortion ban now that Trump was elected,’” Dr. Foster said. The MAP is among several organizations based in states with shield laws protecting abortion providers who supply pills to women in states with abortion bans. The recent surge in demand reflects growing fears tied to the political landscape following the election.
Former President Donald Trump, who has touted his role in appointing the Supreme Court justices responsible for overturning Roe v. Wade, has delivered mixed signals on abortion policy. While he has at times voiced a strong anti-abortion stance, he recently indicated opposition to a national abortion ban, suggesting that states should set their own policies. However, his administration's track record, including implementing rules that allowed employers to claim religious exemptions to deny insurance coverage for contraception, has left many uncertain about his views on broader reproductive health issues, such as access to morning-after pills and birth control.
This uncertainty is fueling concerns among women that a Republican-controlled White House and Congress could introduce national restrictions on reproductive healthcare. For some, purchasing emergency contraception and abortion pills is a practical safeguard against future limitations; for others, it’s a form of activism—a way to send a clear message in support of reproductive rights.
Julie F. Kay, founder of the Abortion Coalition for Telemedicine, described the increase in orders as a mix of precaution and protest. “It’s uncertainty about what’s coming, but it’s also activism,” she explained, adding that many individuals view these purchases as a show of solidarity.
Providers have observed that the demand spike is not limited to states with abortion bans. States with strong reproductive protections, like California and New York, have also seen higher-than-usual orders. Robin, a 44-year-old from Austin, Texas, who had never purchased morning-after pills before, ordered a six-pack of Plan B after the election. Her reasoning reflects a broader sentiment: “We don’t know what’s going to happen and what can be taken away next.”
Dr. Rebecca Gomperts, founder of Aid Access, reported an astronomical surge in requests following the election. Nearly 10,000 inquiries were submitted within 24 hours, compared to a typical 600 daily requests before the election. Although not all requests result in prescriptions, the continued elevated demand highlights enduring concerns among women nationwide.
This reaction mirrors previous spikes in contraceptive and abortion pill interest during moments of perceived threats to reproductive rights, such as the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022 and Trump’s initial election in 2016. For many, the fear of losing access has translated into immediate action.
