In a time where reproductive rights are under increasing threat, Dr. Sophia Yen and Pandia Health are redefining access to birth control — just as the U.S. government makes headlines for destroying $9.7 million worth of contraceptives that could have helped millions of women in Africa.
A Crisis in Access
In July 2025, the U.S. government authorized the destruction of $9.7 million worth of contraceptives, originally purchased for distribution across African nations. Many of these products were not set to expire until 2027–2029 and were projected to prevent 174,000 unintended pregnancies and 56,000 unsafe abortions, serving 1.4 million women and girls. Instead, they are slated for incineration at an added cost of $167,000 to taxpayers.
“It’s outrageous to watch contraceptives burned while women are told they have fewer options,” said Dr. Sophia Yen. “This is not just about pills or devices, it’s about dignity, opportunity, and control over one’s future.”
The Doctor Behind the Movement
Against this backdrop, Dr. Sophia Yen, a board-certified physician, certified menopause specialist, and clinical associate professor at Stanford, has emerged as a leading voice in reproductive healthcare. As co-founder and CEO of Pandia Health, the only doctor-led, women-founded, women-focused birth control delivery service, Dr. Yen is reshaping how women access contraception.
Her vision is simple: hormonal care for women should be affordable, accessible, and stigma-free. “I live, eat, breathe, and prescribe birth control,” Dr. Yen often says. With Pandia Health, patients can complete an online consultation, receive a prescription (if eligible), and have their birth control delivered discreetly to their doorstep. The platform serves 49 U.S. states, plus D.C. (sorry, Alaska!), with prescribing services available in 16.
By addressing logistical barriers such as doctor appointments, pharmacy trips, and refill anxiety, Pandia Health ensures that more women can remain in control of their reproductive and hormonal health.
Tackling Pill Anxiety with Technology
Dr. Yen coined the term “pill anxiety” to describe the stress of running out of birth control. “One of the top reasons women miss a pill isn’t forgetfulness, it’s that they don’t have it in their hand,” she explained. Pandia Health eliminates this worry by making prescription refills easy and providing free shipping, removing the monthly scramble for refills.
The service is designed with inclusivity in mind: birth control consultations are $35 per year with a doctor with unlimited follow-ups, making it one of the most affordable telehealth solutions for contraception. For menopause care, Pandia offers additional services starting at $69/month or as low as $35/month (1-year minimum subscription), expanding its role beyond birth control into broader women’s health.
“In medicine, consistency is everything,” Dr. Yen said. “Pandia makes sure women never have to choose between missing a pill or missing work.”
The Cost of Restriction
The destruction of millions of dollars in contraceptives overseas highlights the fragility of global reproductive health access. In contrast, Pandia Health offers a model of resilience and empowerment.
For women in the U.S., the stakes are high. Restrictive policies, cost barriers, and stigma continue to limit access to contraception. Pandia Health directly addresses these issues, providing a lifeline to women who need control over their reproductive and hormonal choices.
Globally, the contrast is painful. While women abroad lose access due to U.S. policy decisions, leaders like Dr. Yen demonstrate what’s possible when healthcare is driven by compassion, innovation, and patient needs rather than politics. “Access to birth control isn’t a privilege, it’s a fundamental healthcare right,” she said.
Building a Future of Choice
As contraceptives abroad are consigned to flames, Pandia Health is proving that innovation, advocacy, and empathy can light a different path, one where women have the power to make choices about their own bodies.
“Pandia Health exists because women deserve better,” Dr. Yen said. “We’re here to make sure no one ever has to suffer pill anxiety again, and to remind the world that access is power.”
Real Outcomes, Real Consequences
Pandia Health has already transformed how thousands of women in the U.S. manage their hormonal health. By marrying telehealth and AI with pharmacy delivery, the company reduces unplanned pregnancies, empowers women to plan their futures, and saves time and resources for patients and providers alike.
Meanwhile, the global loss caused by burning contraceptives serves as a reminder of what’s at stake when reproductive healthcare is politicized. The human cost, measured in unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and maternal mortality, is profound. “Every barrier to access, whether it’s political or logistical, has a human consequence,” Dr. Yen emphasized.
