My doctor’s office had not returned the pharmacy’s calls to request a refill of my birth control prescription, so with two days left before I needed a new pack, I got in touch with the clinic, which told me my doctor had stopped working there two months ago.

Even though I had been a longtime patient and had seen the doctor within the last six months, I was told that a different doctor could not write me a prescription until I came in for a visit. With my work schedule, I was unable to do so before I began my next cycle.

Not only would I not have contraception, but also, the very delicate balance of medications I take to manage a chronic condition would be at stake. I spent about half a day going back and forth with the clinic providers, administration, and insurance.

I have been taking birth control for 13 years to manage painful ovarian cysts, and there have been many “close calls” where I almost didn’t get my pills in time. I’m lucky that my work environment allows me to make time for these inconveniences (that hasn’t always been the case), and that the clinic eventually made arrangements for me to get my medication. LARCs like IUDs are not an option for me, and being on top of my prescription month by month can be quite time consuming and stressful.

I think about all the patients who don’t have the bandwidth or resources to go back and forth with their providers, or make multiple visits just for a prescription refill. It makes simple and necessary medical care inaccessible.