Adam & Eve recently conducted two separate surveys, polling over 1,000 people each on topics related to women's reproductive health and access to contraception. The surveys explored opinions on women's choice of birth control and the legal availability of over-the-counter abortion pills.

Women's Choice in Birth Control

In August 2023, Adam & Eve and adameve.com surveyed over 1,000 people, asking, "Do you believe women should be able to choose the form of birth control they use?" The survey results indicated strong support for women's autonomy in this area.

Overall, 81% of respondents affirmed that a woman should be able to choose her own type of birth control. This sentiment was consistent across genders, with 78% of males and 84% of females agreeing. A smaller percentage, just over 13%, believed a woman could choose her birth control with her partner's agreement, comprising 15% of males and 12% of females. Only 2% of respondents stated that a woman should not be able to choose her own birth control method, while 3% were unsure (4% males and 2% females).

Dr. Jenni Skyler, Ph.D., LMFT, CST, and resident sexologist at Adam & Eve, noted that women have had the power to control their reproductive decisions since 1965. She highlighted that prior to the legalization of the birth control pill, women relied on partners for protection from STDs and pregnancy. Dr. Skyler also mentioned that some doctors still refuse to perform tubal ligation or female sterilization without a partner's consent. She emphasized that choosing birth control is a significant component of bodily autonomy and ideally involves alignment between partners, suggesting that if not aligned, couples might reconsider having sex together.

Chad Davis, director of marketing for Adam & Eve, stated that the company began over 50 years ago as a mail-order condom company and continues to provide a wide variety of condoms. He added that Adam & Eve encourages adults to explore their sexuality within their comfort levels and boundaries.

Over-the-Counter Abortion Pills Survey

A separate survey conducted by Adam & Eve and adameve.com in February 2024, involving over 1,000 American adults aged 18 and up, focused on the legal availability of over-the-counter abortion pills in the U.S. The survey asked if these pills should be legally available to women.

The results showed that just over 49% of those surveyed believed over-the-counter abortion pills should be legally available to women under any circumstance. An additional 24% said they should be available under certain circumstances. Nearly 20% of respondents indicated that abortion pills should not be legally available, and 7% were unsure.

Mifepristone and/or misoprostol pills, which cause an "at-home abortion," are currently available only from a doctor, nurse, health clinic, or Planned Parenthood. These pills are considered both safe and effective. The survey acknowledged that as access to abortion becomes more difficult due to state laws, many individuals are exploring self-managed abortion and the potential for an over-the-counter option.

Dr. Jenni Skyler commented that abortion is and will always be a controversial subject. She concluded that abortion is a woman’s personal decision that hopefully involves her partner.

Chad Davis reiterated Adam & Eve's origins in providing condoms by mail and its continued offering of a wide variety of condoms to support easy access to affordable birth control.

Broader Context of Contraceptive Access

Beyond Adam & Eve's surveys, other polling research indicates strong public support for increasing access to contraception. A January 2025 poll found bipartisan support for improving contraceptive access, including state and federal protections, expanding no-cost coverage, and relying on medical science over personal views for policy decisions. Majorities across all parties expressed a desire for policymakers to enhance contraceptive access.

Democrats and Independents expressed significant concern about potential rollbacks of contraceptive access, while most Republicans, though not worried, would firmly oppose such actions. Majorities of all voters, including conservatives, rejected efforts to categorize emergency contraception as abortion. Only 4% of voters wanted policymakers to make contraception harder to access.

Further polling in February 2024 by Impact Research found that birth control, including emergency contraception and over-the-counter birth control pills, is extremely popular and enjoys bipartisan support. There is also strong support for economic access to contraception, particularly for insurance coverage of over-the-counter options, which is also bipartisan. Voters across party lines do not condition their support for over-the-counter birth control with an age restriction. However, Republicans are divided on whether physicians, pharmacists, and others should be able to refuse to dispense or prescribe birth control based on religious or moral conviction. Approximately one-third of voters are confused about basic medical facts related to contraception, abortion, and sexually transmitted infections, with significant confusion surrounding emergency contraception and abortion pills.

Key Facts

  • Adam & Eve surveyed over 1,000 people in August 2023 regarding women's choice of birth control.
  • 81% of respondents believed women should be able to choose their form of birth control.
  • A separate Adam & Eve survey in February 2024 polled over 1,000 American adults on over-the-counter abortion pills.
  • Just over 49% of respondents felt over-the-counter abortion pills should be legally available under any circumstance.
  • Dr. Jenni Skyler is the resident sexologist at Adam & Eve.
  • Chad Davis is the director of marketing for Adam & Eve.