In October 2017, the Trump Administration decided to rollback the contraceptive coverage mandate. This sparked debate that men were making decisions about the women's body without fully understanding that birth control aids more than preventing pregnancy. Without jumping the gun, I decided to analyze sexual expenses of men and women per year.

1. Percentage of Americans sexually active?

Men: 86%

Women: 70%

(CBS American Sex Survey 2017)

2. Who is more sexually active?

Single Men: sexually active 2x per month

Single Women: sexually active 1x per month

3. Prices of each medication.

With Insurance:

Birth control: $0-$5 for 30 pills

Viagra: $20 per pill

Without insurance:

Birth control: $15-50 for 30 pills

Viagra: $35 per pill

4. Benefits of each:

Viagra:

1. erectile dysfunction

Birth control:

1. hormone regulation,

2. poly-cystic ovarian syndrome,

3. endometriosis,

4. relief of irregular menstrual cycles.

When reading and understanding these facts, it seems as though birth control is cheaper and more affordable. This rollback of the mandate does not restrict the availability to receive birth control, just the availability to get discounts with insurance.

When cross-referencing the fact a male is sexually active two times a month, let's assume he uses a pill each time. With insurance it is $360/year for males to be sexually active when on Viagra. For women, without insurance birth control can range to be $600 per year.

With these facts, it frustrates me to have men in a position of power to decide that a medicine that aids one medical issue is more important to be covered by insurance than a medication for women that aids numerous medical issues.

When I came to college my parents emphasized the need for birth control. It seems all my female friends are on it too. I have not taken a birth control pill in almost two years due to it affecting my body negatively. When I tell people I am not on birth control I get responses that are negative and hurtful.

They will say I am neglecting my ability to defend myself from a mistake. So to take something that has become a part of a woman's life, then take it away is not right. We should have the chance to have access to medicine that we are basically required to take daily all our lives.