Women’s health innovator Evofem Biosciences, Inc. (OTCID: EVFM) today announced the shipment of its 500,000th box of PHEXX® (lactic acid, citric acid and potassium bitartrate), the first and only FDA-approved hormone-free, on-demand prescription contraceptive vaginal gel.

This milestone marks an important achievement for the company and reflects the growing number of women seeking contraception that aligns with their personal preferences, lifestyles, and healthcare needs. With 12 pre-filled PHEXX applicators per box, this means women have chosen hormone-free, on-demand contraception for six million acts of sex.

While the shipment milestone represents meaningful progress, Evofem believes it also highlights a much larger opportunity: ensuring women know they have a choice.

Nearly every sexually active woman in the United States uses contraception at some point in her life, yet awareness of hormone-free prescription options remains limited.

  • More than 99% of sexually experienced U.S. women have used at least one contraceptive method during their lifetime.1

  • 35% of women who have used oral contraceptive pills discontinued use because they were dissatisfied, with side effects cited as the leading reason by 64% of those women.2

Research also shows that many women are not using the contraceptive method they would actually choose if barriers such as awareness, access, cost, or insurance coverage did not exist. A recent national study found that 13% of women currently using contraception would prefer a different contraceptive method if cost were not a concern, underscoring the continued need for education, counseling, and access.3

The conversation around contraceptive choice is even more relevant with the growing use of GLP-1 medications. Millions of women of reproductive age use these therapies for diabetes and weight management. For women using tirzepatide-containing GLP-1 drugs, the prescribing information recommends using an additional or alternative contraceptive method for four weeks after treatment initiation and after each dose escalation because oral contraceptive exposure may be reduced.4 Ensuring patients understand the full range of available contraceptive options has never been more important.

“Shipping our 500,000th box of PHEXX is an incredible milestone, but it’s also a reminder of how much work remains,” said Saundra Pelletier, Evofem’s Chief Executive Officer. “Too many women still believe their only prescription contraceptive choices are hormonal or long-acting methods. Every day, women discontinue birth control because it doesn’t fit their bodies, their lifestyles, or their personal preferences, yet many still don’t know a hormone-free, in the moment, prescription option exists. Our mission isn’t simply to ship more units—it’s to ensure every woman understands she has a choice and is empowered with the information she needs to choose the contraceptive method that is right for her.”

Since its introduction, PHEXX has provided healthcare professionals with an important option for women seeking an effective, hormone-free, on-demand prescription contraceptive.

As women increasingly seek personalized healthcare solutions, Evofem remains committed to expanding education among healthcare providers and consumers, improving patient access, and ensuring women can make informed decisions based on their individual needs and reproductive goals.

About Evofem Biosciences, Inc.

Evofem Biosciences is a San Diego-based pharmaceutical company commercializing two FDA-approved sexual and reproductive health products:

  • PHEXX® (lactic acid, citric acid, and potassium bitartrate) – the first and only hormone-free, on-demand prescription contraceptive vaginal gel. Visit phexx.com to learn more and for important safety information.

  • SOLOSEC® (secnidazole) 2g oral granules – an FDA-approved oral antibiotic for the treatment of two sexual health diseases: bacterial vaginosis (BV), a common vaginal infection, in females 12 years of age and older, and trichomoniasis, a common sexually transmitted infection (STI), in people 12 years of age and older. SOLOSEC provides a complete course of therapy in just one dose. Visit solosec.com to learn more and for important safety information.

PHEXX® and SOLOSEC® are registered trademarks of Evofem Biosciences, Inc.

References

1 Guttmacher Institute. Contraceptive Use in the United States by Demographics. Updated 2025. Available at: https://www.guttmacher.org/fact-sheet/contraceptive-use-united-states

2 Daniels K, Mosher WD. Contraceptive Method Choice in the United States: National Survey of Family Growth. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics. Women who discontinued oral contraceptives due to dissatisfaction and reasons for discontinuation. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nsfg/key_statistics/c-keystat.htm

3 Peipert JF, et al. Contraceptive Use and Unfulfilled Preferences Among Women Ages 15–49 in the United States, 2022–2023. F&S Reports. Published 2026. Summary available from the Guttmacher Institute: https://www.guttmacher.org/article/2026/05/contraceptive-use-and-unfulfilled-preferences-among-women-ages-15-49-united-states

4 U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Prescribing Information for tirzepatide-containing products (including Mounjaro® and Zepbound®). Section 7.2: Oral Hormonal Contraceptives. Recommends patients using oral hormonal contraceptives switch to a non-oral contraceptive method or add a barrier method for four weeks after initiation and for four weeks after each dose escalation because tirzepatide may reduce oral contraceptive exposure. Current prescribing information available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov

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