Notes
The Power of Posts: Education, Advertisements, & Opill
Over the course of this project, this specific section has taken many forms. From a personal anecdote section to an analysis of advertisements and what messages they show about birth control, the goal was always to highlight the different, undiscussed experiences those with uteruses have had navigating the world of birth control. The darker companion to the wilder stories of the past. But like many aspects of this project, the plan has been adjusted many times as new information comes to light and old information is shut down.
The goal of looking into modern birth control advertisements was to find and analyze what sort of narrative these advertisements were selling and if this narrative accurately reflected the experience of those using these specific birth control methods. What I found was that there weren’t many advertisements for birth control in general. The main advertisements that are out for birth control are for methods that are sold over the counter, which is how I found Opill.
Description: Instagram post from @opill_otc on January 14, 2024
Source: Instagram @opill_otc [9]
Opill is currently the only over-the-counter birth control pill that is available in the United States.[1] It is a progestin-only pill that was approved by the Food and Drug Administration to be sold over the counter in the United States in 2023, which has been a big step towards progress in the world of birth control.[2] In addition to its historical importance, I became aware of Opill through its social media posts.
What caught my attention about Opill's social media posts in the Fall of 2024 was how entertaining they were, at times verging on scandalous. Having a shirtless six-pack Santa, or including a condom in the Thanksgiving eve essentials list, are just a couple of examples of what caused Opill’s advertisements to stand out. These posts showed the experience of people using Opill to be exciting and out there. While not necessarily the most accurate depiction of day-to-day life, the posts were amusing and brought engagement to the brand. However, the tone of Opill’s posts began to change following the November 2024 presidential election.
Description: Instagram posts from @opill_otc on November 22, 2024, and December 26, 2024
Source: Instagram @opill_otc [6] [7]
Since November 2024, Opill's posts have changed. While they are still posting entertaining content and advertisements that encourage engagement, the posts are now more subdued. While this subduedness is causing the advertisements to be less noticeable, the message and story that they show are even more important. Not only are these new posts in a way more relatable and realistic in showing the experience of an Opill user, but they are also starting bigger conversations that are more important now than ever. Opill has been working with the WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association) to spread awareness of the importance of access to birth control.[8] Representatives of Opill are traveling to college campuses and talking with students about Opill and birth control in general, playing educational games with students, and providing materials to help spread awareness.[5] Recently, they also posted about the importance of normalizing the taking of birth control for teenagers and how parents can support their kids.[3] Opill has shifted its content to help provide more education and to spread awareness of how people can access birth control.
Description: Instagram posts from @opill_otc on April 11, 2025, and February 26, 2025
Source: Instagram @opill_otc [5] [8]
While the posts aren’t as outlandish as they used to be, the messages and conversations that Opill is continuing to foster with their brand and social media presence are just as impactful. They are getting out into the world and, through in-person engagement, are helping to teach people important information.
When I was preparing to write this section, I thought it was going to be depressing. I thought that I was going to find that brands that had previously been outspoken about birth control and the importance of being educated about what is available had censored themselves to survive the current political scene in the United States. I was thrilled to find that my assumptions were wrong and that they are all continuing to fight along with the rest of us to spread awareness and educate our future generations. Opill made a promise on November 7, 2024, and I am thrilled to see that they have been able to keep that promise 100%.[4]
Description: Instagram post from @opill_otc on November 7, 2024
Source: Instagram @opill_otc [4]
Sources:
[1] “About Opill® | the First Over-The-Counter Birth Control Pill.” Opill,
[2] “Our Story.” Opill, opill.com/pages/our-story.
[3] Opill ® [@opill_otc]. Video of a mother and daughter in a drug store buying Opill®. Instagram, 23 April 2025,
https://www.instagram.com/p/DIzUryRoUMk/
Image Sources:
[4] Opill ® [@opill_otc]. Image stating a message of support. Instagram, 7 November 2024,
https://www.instagram.com/p/DCE7x0FpegS/
[5] Opill ® [@opill_otc]. Informative poster about Opill ® representatives visiting Marist University. Instagram, 11
April 2025, https://www.instagram.com/p/DIUEBZBMiQH/
[6] Opill ® [@opill_otc]. Many items, including a purse, sweater, condom, and opill packet. Instagram, 22
November 2024, https://www.instagram.com/p/DCsLbhGOi1i/?img_index=1
[7] Opill ® [@opill_otc]. A shirtless man dressed as Santa Claus holding a package of Opill. Instagram, 26
December 2024, https://www.instagram.com/p/DEDAdi8uO4B/?img_index=1
[8] Opill ® [@opill_otc]. Video of WNBA members discussing access to birth control. Instagram, 26 Febuary 2025,
https://www.instagram.com/p/DGirg0DRu7P/
[9] Opill ® [@opill_otc]. Image of a hand holding a box of Opill ®. Instagram, 14 January 2024,
https://www.instagram.com/p/C2FjXRFL3mt/