BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM

If you can grab a wireless phone charger and a pack of gum at 2 a.m., why not emergency contraception too? That’s the question Cadence, an Oakland-based health company, is answering with its no-nonsense product: the Morning After Pill.

The company has spent the past year placing its emergency contraception on the shelves of gas stations, corner stores, and 24-hour convenience shops across the country. Since its launch in March 2024, the pill is now stocked in 11,000 locations across 48 states, from an E-Z Mart in San Antonio to a deli in Walla Walla, Washington. South Dakota and Hawaii are the only states not yet on board.

Contraception where it counts

“Our original goal was to transform contraception,” said Kate Voyten, Cadence’s senior vice president of commercial operations. “Get it everywhere there is a condom.”

And she’s not exaggerating. While about one-third of all condoms are sold at convenience stores, until recently, these shops offered little in terms of reproductive healthcare for women—apart from tampons and pregnancy tests.

Cadence is looking to change that. Its goal: normalize access to emergency contraception by putting it exactly where people need it—close by, easy to find, and always open.

What emergency contraception does (and doesn’t do)

The Morning After Pill contains levonorgestrel, a synthetic hormone used to delay ovulation when taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex. It does not terminate an existing pregnancy and does not affect long-term fertility, according to the FDA.

Still, many people remain confused. A recent KFF poll found that half of women in states where abortion is banned incorrectly believe emergency contraception is also illegal, or they’re unsure.

Why 24/7 access matters

The surge in availability comes at a critical time. Since the Supreme Court overturned federal abortion protections in 2022, many clinics that provided both abortion and birth control services have shut down. In states like Texas and Tennessee, access to contraception has become more limited, especially for teens and low-income women.

“It’s long overdue,” said reproductive health advocates. While online pharmacies and telehealth have expanded options, the immediacy of access—especially during off-hours—remains a challenge. Emergencies, after all, don’t check the clock.

Cadence is also seeking FDA approval for a regular over-the-counter birth control pill, pushing forward on multiple fronts to improve access in the face of legal and political challenges.

A fight over facts

Despite medical consensus and FDA approval, emergency contraception remains a target for misinformation. Groups like Students for Life of America falsely label it an “abortifacient,” contributing to confusion and stigma. The reality, experts say, is far more clear-cut: emergency contraception prevents ovulation and cannot disrupt an implanted pregnancy.

In some states, where lawmakers equate fertilization with pregnancy, the culture war over contraception has heated up. Yet public demand for access is growing.

A step toward equity

By putting the Morning After Pill next to the gum and granola bars, Cadence is taking a bold but sensible step toward reproductive equity. For many, it might be the difference between panic and peace of mind.

“This is about putting healthcare tools where people live their lives,” said Voyten.

Convenience, in this case, might just be revolutionary.