Donald Trump has said he believes women should be able to obtain birth control without a prescription.

Speaking on an episode of The Dr Oz Show, the Republican nominee suggested that, for many women, obtaining a prescription can be challenging.

"I would say it should not be prescription," he said, adding that many women "just aren't in a position to go get a prescription".

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The comment comes days after Mr Trump unveiled a plan aimed at making childcare more affordable and as he works to boost his poll numbers with women.

Polls show women favouring Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, though Mr Trump does better than her with men.

Trump has sometimes stumbled when it comes to reproductive health issues.

During the Republican primary, he was criticised for saying that, if abortion were to be outlawed, women should be punished for having them. He later said that providers, not women, should be the ones who face penalties.

While Mr Trump was more liberal in his views on social issues when he was younger, he now opposes abortion rights.

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The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists declared support for non-prescription birth control pills in 2012, but some groups oppose the measure because of the health risks associated with them. Insurance also does not cover over-the-counter drugs, which could make the pills far more expensive.

It comes after Mr Trump revealed his weight on US television, admitting he is overweight for his height.

The Republican presidential candidate said in a phone interview with Fox and Friends that he is 6ft 3ins and 236 pounds (16.8 stone), giving him a body mass index falling into the "overweight" range.

He said his health is good, though he would like to lose 15 pounds. He said his cholesterol is "quite good" and that he had "every single test" and they are good.

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He said: "If they were bad, I would say, let's sort of skip this, right?"

Asked about reports that he weighs more than 236, Mr Trump joked: "Ay-ay-yi, it's bad enough."

Mr Trump says that, when he looks in the mirror, he sees a man much younger than his 70 years. He said: "I would say I see a person that's 35 years old."

On The Dr Oz Show, he also said he sometimes plays golf with New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. He said that when he's with the 39-year-old, "I feel I'm the same age as him. It's crazy."

Mr Trump said that when running for president "you have an obligation to be healthy" because the job requires it.

He said that standing at a podium, delivering his signature rally speeches, is one of the ways he stays healthy on the campaign trail. Doing so is "a really healthy act" as said giving a speech is "a lot of work" and he's "using a lot of motion".

He said: "I guess that's a form of exercise?"