Plan B Fails to go OTC

[MrPopo]

http://health.yahoo.net/news/s/ap/us_me ... after_pill

What really depresses me about this story is the massive failure in logic. Too many people seem to think that if kids don't have access to family planning methods that they'll just have less sex. It's like they've forgotten what it's like to be a teenager and horny. So putting this fully OTC will only improve the teen pregnancy situation. And when you think about it, you're choosing between a possibility of Hyperestrogenemia-related illnesses which are mostly seen in post-menopausal women or your child being pregnant. Pregnancy seems the more impactful of the two to me.

[alienjesus]

The thing that worries me about this is that people will see it as a viable alternative to condoms. These morning-after pills have a sinificantly lower effectiveness of preventing pregnancy, and obviously do nothing to combat STDs. Whilst I do believe they should be available for all women, I'm not sure I like the idea of them being available over the counter.

[J T]

http://health.yahoo.net/news/s/ap/us_me ... after_pill

What really depresses me about this story is the massive failure in logic. Too many people seem to think that if kids don't have access to family planning methods that they'll just have less sex. It's like they've forgotten what it's like to be a teenager and horny. So putting this fully OTC will only improve the teen pregnancy situation. And when you think about it, you're choosing between a possibility of Hyperestrogenemia-related illnesses which are mostly seen in post-menopausal women or your child being pregnant. Pregnancy seems the more impactful of the two to me.

I completely agree. While alienjesus is right to say that this shouldn't be your first choice for contraception, I still think it should be a readily available choice.

I mean, for god's sake the world population has gone from 4.2 billion in the year I was born to 7 billion today. We need all the contraception we can get.

[alienjesus]

I mean, for god's sake the world population has gone from 4.2 billion in the year I was born to 7 billion today. We need all the contraception we can get.

While that's true, my understanding is that the majority of those population increases are in developing countries.


For what it's worth, I don't disagree with the idea of these being accessible, but I'd prefer it to not be over the counter. Even if it's available in pharmacies, I just don't like the idea of it being easily purchasable, it should be something that is only accessible in the situation where it is necessary, and not before then. I've known several teenagers who didn't understand that the morning-after pill is not an effective method of contraception when used exclusively. I just worry that having it on a shelf next to more effective contraceptives gives it a validation as a contraceptive on its own.

[MrPopo]

The thing that worries me about this is that people will see it as a viable alternative to condoms. These morning-after pills have a sinificantly lower effectiveness of preventing pregnancy, and obviously do nothing to combat STDs. Whilst I do believe they should be available for all women, I'm not sure I like the idea of them being available over the counter.

Well here's the thing. It's already available without a prescription to all women aged 17 and older; you just have to ask the pharmacist for it. It's similar to how you might buy a pack of cigarettes. So now this new push was to allow it for all women, as those under 17 rarely have the ability to see a doctor and obtain a prescription without their parents. And to put it next to the condoms and spermicide so that there is heightened awareness of another thing to keep just in case.

Of course, the best method would be for it to be an expected part of a woman's health to go on an oral contraceptive regimen when she hits menarche until she voluntarily comes off to bear children. But we gotta take baby steps.

[Ack]

Of course, the best method would be for it to be an expected part of a woman's health to go on an oral contraceptive regimen when she hits menarche until she voluntarily comes off to bear children. But we gotta take baby steps.

It truly is a brave new world.

[J T]

While that's true, my understanding is that the majority of those population increases are in developing countries.

Last time I checked, we still have babies in the USA too.

I've known several teenagers who didn't understand that the morning-after pill is not an effective method of contraception when used exclusively. I just worry that having it on a shelf next to more effective contraceptives gives it a validation as a contraceptive on its own.

To me this is a problem of education more than it is a problem of availability.
Any sensible person who knows about contraception will not choose morning-after pills as their birth-control method of choice, but even if they do, why shouldn't it be their choice if there is adequate education about the topic?

[J T]

Of course, the best method would be for it to be an expected part of a woman's health to go on an oral contraceptive regimen when she hits menarche until she voluntarily comes off to bear children. But we gotta take baby steps.

It truly is a brave new world.

Popo is so pro-choice he's against choice.

[MrPopo]

Of course, the best method would be for it to be an expected part of a woman's health to go on an oral contraceptive regimen when she hits menarche until she voluntarily comes off to bear children. But we gotta take baby steps.

It truly is a brave new world.

Popo is so pro-choice he's against choice.

Seems like common sense; you can prevent pregnancy and still have sex. Then when you want a baby you come off the pill.

Though I'd also like to see more research going into reversible male sterility, so that guys can take more charge of their ability to create babies.

[alienjesus]

Seems like common sense; you can prevent pregnancy and still have sex. Then when you want a baby you come off the pill.

Though I'd also like to see more research going into reversible male sterility, so that guys can take more charge of their ability to create babies.

It does completely ignore the side effects of the pill though.