Should "Morning After" pregnancy preventative be available without prescription?

RIGHT. IronGoths continuous, same argument is getting tired methinks.

 

That's a good point Annie..

But, I think thats why HippyFreek advised that pharmacists should still give proper usage instructions and such, to warn people of the dangers that might come along with USING the pill.

Tylenol can be dangerous, too, by the way. Any medication can. I think people often forget that, it doesnt matter WHAT medication it is, long term usage can cause many different kind of issues. Even people with prolonging problems, and are on daily medication can develop OTHER problems from their medication. My mom has lyme disease and has been on antibiotics for YEARS because of it... now I worry that if she gets sick otherwise, when she's finally done with her therapy, if they will even be able to perscribe her with anything that will HELP.

 

since it only contains progestin, I believe it would be safer than long term use of regular birth control pills, which also contain estrogen. Some of the more common long term effects of taking low dose progestin (same as morning after pill, except lower dose every day) are depression, weight gain, and candidiasis. The side effects from taking estrogen are much more scary, like heart attack and cancer.

 

i wouldn't be comfortable with someone using something so powerful without having some form of doctor input, either before or after. people can't hardly be trusted to take tylenol properly, much less something like this. i would prefer a doctor's input, to be completely honest. that's a lotta hormones to be messing with. but i'm also pretty uncomfortable with birth control pills, too.

 

i think morning after pills are ok. i dont like abortion but the next day doesnt really count as conception, its still prevention. i mean who hasnt accidently nuttered in their girl and had some doubts the next day if they pulled out quick enough

 

What about those with no health insurance? What about those that cant get into a doctor's office for a week? Or women who are out of town or on vacation?

Reproductive control should be widely available to women in any situation, and I think women have a right to be trusted with the medication they put into their bodies.

 

That's why there are spermacides and condoms available to use w/o a perscription. There ARE other options out there...

It's important to remember, if we choose to have sex with someone, we must accept the consequences. The more protection you use...the less chance you will get pregnant.

 

i personally have only had health insurance for the past couple years. in light of that, i've always donated healthy amounts of cash to free clinics for young women and have always made a point of knowing where one is in case i need to take some girl there. yeah, as i'm getting older, it's getting to be a scary thing and i can't personally drive girls there like i used to, but options are available. since having my daughters, i'm not as active as i once was, but i used to be an advocate for free reproductive care. it's a lot harder in some areas, especially those with a heavy christian population. i can't say that having things too readily available without proper education is a safe way to do business. but since i believe that way, i tend to take a very hands on approach to young women in my local community. yes, i believe women should be able to take this medication, but having NO medical supervision for it is just too heavy a risk to take if there are problems that may arise.

 

I think there's definitely an access problem to consider first and foremost, otherwise I agree with mynameiskc and am also not comfortable with people taking this drug without a prescription. I think it's just part of the "emergency" process and should require a consultation. A doctor can prescribe another form of contraception, schedule a PAP, a physical checkup or and answer any other questions the patient has all in one session. Ideally, women's health centers are equipped as a "one-stop shop" for lack of a better terminology for these kinds of situation - but again, accessibility can be an issue and will always be for that matter. It's not as if a free taxi service is going to pick women up, drive them to get the pill, wait for them, and drive them home. If people are afraid of going to see a doctor, I think it's important to give them a good reason to see one.

Women will be able to get birth control over the counter before the "morning after pill" will ever be easily as accessible.

 

No, Plan B contains both estrogen and progestin. It is nothing more than a large dose of regular BC pills, taken over a period of days. You can DIY Plan B with almost any combo BC pill out there. There is a Morning After Pill which contains only progestin, but it is considered less effective than the combo MAP.

My problem with "having to" get a pharmacist to help you, some are antichoice and may prevent womyn from getting it. This happens NOW, not only with Plan B (which, at the moment is ONLY available by prescription) but with regular BC pills. In fact, the Gov of Illinois passed a law taking the licence of any Illinois Pharmacist who refused to fill a BC presctiption. The problem with "do gooder" pharmacists was THAT BAD, and we aren't even in the Bible Belt.

And, as for using it "as birth control" we are talking about a pretty hefty dose of estrogen and progestin. You usually get sick as a dog when you take this. Many doctors will even prescibe an antinausea agent (if she really cares) to help with the side effects. And the bleeding can be quite a bit more than a regualar period. Few, if any womyn are going to use Plan B as their regular form of BC, the side effects are just too uncomfortable.

 

Ok, there are actually TWO different Morning After Pills.

From what I know, the progestin only pill is less effective.

 

Actually A+O, the point I'm trying to get at here is this:

When I wanted to get a medical condition treated it was explained to me in great detail about how the body is this delicate little thing, and bumping hormones even a little, into a normal range, is something highly dangerous so please ask someone else cause I'm not interested.....

And yet, if a woman basically wants to hormonally poison herself (which is what the morning after pill is, basically a system shock of hormones) this should be available OTC??????

Wait! Where's the endocrinology folks jumping up and down and up and down hollering? Ah, right, they're throwing hormones at any woman over 35 who complains of feeling a bit hot every now and then, whether it's hot flashes or simply fever.

My point is all this is going to be political more than anything else.

 

Goth, if you want to start a thread about this (I really know little about the ability to obtain Test from a doctor) go ahead. But, needing BC is something that has been an issue for many many years.

As for "Women over 35 getting hot flashes" good doctors will not prescibe hornones for normal menopause anymore, because of the health risks. Hot flashes don't require a drug cocktail. I get hot flashes and other periimeno symptoms now, I open a window. I saw my mom and my step mom have a stroke and a blood clot while on this stuff. It is NOT easy to get, anymore. You basically have to prove that you are so deranged by your menopause, that you are going to take out your family, to get HRT.

I wouldn't take it for the world. JMO. We could include ANY drug, if this were the case. Hell, I'd like to get my pain meds OTC, but that ain't gonna happen, and I don't think it is the same thing, or even similar to Plan B. (Despite the fact that I need my meds to live.)

Now, back on topic please.

 

OK, to relate the above EXPLICITLY to the topic

I am opposed to that sort of thing becoming OTC.

If it's something that doctors are really wary of because of complications and potential death (like blood clots etc) making this available OTC without counselling, a proper blood work up, heck even a PREGNANCY TEST... I dunno.. I am opposed to it on health grounds. If you're that worried about daddy finding out then by all means draw up privacy laws etc.

You'll get no argument from me about the need for birth control.

 

You are entitled to you opinion. I am concerned about those things, too. But, pregnancy is actually more dangerous than hormonal BC, so, in the long run, I am not opposed to it being available OTC. Plus, with this drug, time is of the essence.

 

Mags - yup, but what of the women who'll do this every month?
Or get it, give it to their friends?

 

the morning after pill is available in canada as an over the counter drug. it's expensive though (heard it was over 50 bucks). most emerg dept's and walk-in clinics have "morning after pills" that they give out for free. pharmaceutical corp's are making some big bucks off of this one...

 

Yeah but Canada is full of godless heathens.

Anything goes there. A bookmobile type thing that did abortions, handed out weed and heroin and fought for NAMBLA rights would be paid for with tax dollars in a second.

 

Yes, it should be available without percription because it costs to get it, and it costs to go the freaking doctor, too much money! vWe've paid enough in guilt

 

Thanks for mentioning that,,,,,,

Pregnancy is not without risks, in fact, all the side effects of BCP and MAP mimic pregnancy symptoms to the T, BC works because it makes your body think it's pregnant already. All the risks associated with hormonal BC are also risks associated with pregnancy.....and they are small risks indeed.
pregnancy gives your hormones a lovely jump, that's why we vomit and get dizzy and cry for no reason and all those wonderful things that tell us we're pregnant.