Emergency contraception pills are to be used after unprotected sexual
intercourse to prevent pregnancy. Emergency contraceptive pills are also
referred to as the “morning-after-pill” and are effective if taken within 72
hours after unprotected sexual intercourse. Emergency contraception should
be used any time a condom breaks or falls off, if a diaphragm becomes dislodged,
after sexual assault or when unprotected intercourse has occurred.
Emergency contraception, also referred to as Plan B, is currently available in
the United States only with a prescription. Many advisory committees have
recommended that the Food and Drug Administration make emergency contraception
available over the counter, in order to provide easier accesses to treatment.
The emergency contraceptive pills reduce the risk of pregnancy in women who take
them within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse.
The Concerns and Benefits of Emergency Contraception
Women that have immediate access to emergency contraception are more likely to
seek treatment sooner, when it is more effective. Having emergency contraception
available over the counter may help reduce the number of unplanned pregnancies
and abortions in the United States.
The major argument presented by opponents of over the counter availability of
emergency contraception is that women will lose the opportunity for an
evaluation and counseling by a health care provider if they are able to acquire
the medication without a prescription.
An office encounter, according to opponents, might be beneficial in determining
whether nonconsensual sex occurred and enable providers to discuss sexually
transmitted infection and the importance of regular contraception methods.
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists however and the American
Medical Association have supported over the counter availability. However, the
acting director of the FDA has stated that data existing regarding the drug's
safety in adolescent girls younger than age 16 year is unclear, thus the
legislation has not yet been approved.
Controversy over Emergency Contraception
There has been a great deal of unrest and dissatisfaction amount health care
advocates and women regarding the decision to prohibit over the counter
availability of emergency contraception.
There is a large body of evidence supporting the notion that emergency
contraception is safe in all populations, and suggesting that availability of
contraception over the counter may reduce the risk of unwanted pregnancy in
teens and adult women alike.
When used within 24 hours, the risk of pregnancy is only .4% in women using Plan
B. That risk climbs slightly to 2.7% when used within 48 hours after sex, and
increases thereafter.
Emergency Contraception works by preventing ovulation or uterine implantation of
the egg. The dosage of emergency contraception is approximately the same as 10
oral contraceptive pills. It is available currently in 101 countries.
Other forms of emergency contraception are available, including those that
contain a combination of ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel. The Plan B
product however generally results in less cramping, nausea and vomiting.
Plan B is still available by prescription. The pill pack contains two tablets of
levonorgestrel that contain .75 mg of contraception. The pills should be taken
twelve hours apart within 72 hours of intercourse. The cost is minimal at
approximately $30.
There is also evidence to suggest that levonorgestrel can be administered in a
single dose of 1.5 mg, making its ease of use and convenience unsurpassed.
Additional Risks and Follow Up
Women who use emergency contraception should be aware that a risk of pregnancy
still exists if intercourse is continued without protection after emergency
contraception pills are taken. A barrier method is recommended to prevent
pregnancy for the duration of a woman's cycle.
At this time there isn't any contraindication to administering a second dose of
emergency contraception if a second episode of unprotected intercourse occurs
soon after the first.
Menstrual bleeding will typically occurs within one week of a woman's expected
period when Plan B is used. There is still a small chance of pregnancy however,
and if a woman's period does not show up a woman is advised to take a pregnancy
test.
Women are more likely to prevent unwanted pregnancies if they are given a home
supply of emergency contraception in addition to their primary contraception.
The facts are clear. Unwanted pregnancies are much less likely to occur in women
who have adequate access to emergency contraception. Getting that access is
still a debated issue.
