I went to pick up my birth control prescription from my local CVS a few days ago. While I am fully covered by insurance, I was shocked that I was still required to pay $50 a month for a 30-day pack of pills.

Over the course of a year, those pills will cost me $600 dollars.

Can you imagine the countless ways I could spend $600? That amount of money is worth everything to a college student. But what about people who live paycheck-to-paycheck? Or those out-of-work because of a disability? What about the people that depend on birth control for day-to-day life?

I'm extremely fortunate to have never had any chronic and debilitating health issues, especially when it comes to my reproductive health. But others aren't as lucky.

Reproductive problems like endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome affect countless women in the United States.

Endometriosis is caused by the when the uterine lining does not shed fully or at all. This overgrowth leads to the spread of this tissue in areas like the intestines, bowel, and fallopian tubes. The Endometriosis Foundation of America says that the disease affects over 176 million women worldwide, and 1 in 10 women in the U.S. Birth control can be used to cope with endometriosis because the hormones can help with the pain of periods by stopping them, reducing cramps, and halting the growth of the endometriosis while stopping adhesions.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is caused by a hormone imbalance in the body, causing the possible release of partially-developed eggs and the attachment of fluid-filled ovarian cysts. According to the Department of Human Health and Services, "Between 5% and 10% of women of childbearing age (between 15 and 44) have PCOS. Most often, women find out they have PCOS in their 20s and 30s when they have problems getting pregnant and see their doctor." Symptoms of PCOS include excessive hair growth, weight gain, male features, and irregular periods. Birth control can help by reducing excessive hair growth, balancing hormones, and regulating periods.

Birth control isn't just for pregnancy prevention. It's so much more than that. Birth control provides countless benefits like chronic pain relief, period regularity, and hormone balance. And most importantly, peace of mind. Without it, it can make women feel out-of-control when it comes to their bodies.

This prescription gives women freedom for their lives.

Technological developments in recent years have given women a wide variety of options to choose. It's not just "the pill" anymore. Intrauterine devices (IUDs) have been a breakthrough when it comes to long-term protection. The patch and implant work for women who can't remember to take a pill daily. The shot works for women who just don't want to have to worry about it. There's even a quiz on the Planned Parenthood website for which method might work the best for you!

We as women were never given the choice of whether or not to bleed, nor did we get a say on how it would affect our bodies. So why are we paying an arm and a leg for it?

Not only are everyday women and women with reproductive issues affected by a lack of affordable birth control, but impoverished women, disabled women, and homeless women are as well. These women may not have the funds for birth control, even if they have a condition like PCOS. Picking up a prescription may be the choice of eating dinner or letting a condition worsen. The cost of birth control then leads to an instability in its effectiveness, as it's not taken consistently or long-term.

Systematic barriers like homelessness and poverty make being a woman harder than it should be. Reproductive conditions make day-to-day life a marathon when it doesn't need to be. Affordable healthcare gives women stability and power when it comes to their bodies.

We as women were never given the choice of whether or not to bleed, nor did we get a say on how it would affect our bodies. So why are we paying an arm and a leg for it?

It's time. We need access to affordable birth control now.