Lifesupporters.com Forums - View Single Post - Women urged to ask for morning-after pills

Luba · 05-21-2006, 01:57 PM

from MSNBC:

WASHINGTON: Women of reproductive age should get an advance prescription for emergency contraception to keep in case they ever need it according to the nation's largest gynecologist group.

"Accidents happen," say new waiting-room posters headed for the 49,000 members of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The posters are part of a campaign urging doctors to explain the morning-after pill to every woman of reproductive age they examine, and offer a prescription to those eligible.

The campaign aims to increase access to emergency birth control following the Bush administrations's refusal to allow it to be sold with a prescription nationwide.

The morning-after pill is "safe, effective and should be available over the counter," said Dr. Vivian Dicerson, ACOG's past president. Pending that, an advance prescription gives women "more access when they need it."

Early dose is key; the morning-after pill is a high dose of regular birth control pills. It cuts the chances of pregnancy up to 89% if used within 72 hours of rape, condom failure or just forgetting routine contraception. The earlier taken, the more effective it is.

Conservatives consider the pill tantamount to abortion have intensely lobbied the White House to reject nonprescription sales, saying they could increase teen sex.

The drug has no effect if a woman is already pregnant.

05-21-2006, 01:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
Luba Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 12,781	Women urged to ask for morning-after pills from MSNBC: WASHINGTON: Women of reproductive age should get an advance prescription for emergency contraception to keep in case they ever need it according to the nation's largest gynecologist group. "Accidents happen," say new waiting-room posters headed for the 49,000 members of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The posters are part of a campaign urging doctors to explain the morning-after pill to every woman of reproductive age they examine, and offer a prescription to those eligible. The campaign aims to increase access to emergency birth control following the Bush administrations's refusal to allow it to be sold with a prescription nationwide. The morning-after pill is "safe, effective and should be available over the counter," said Dr. Vivian Dicerson, ACOG's past president. Pending that, an advance prescription gives women "more access when they need it." Early dose is key; the morning-after pill is a high dose of regular birth control pills. It cuts the chances of pregnancy up to 89% if used within 72 hours of rape, condom failure or just forgetting routine contraception. The earlier taken, the more effective it is. Conservatives consider the pill tantamount to abortion have intensely lobbied the White House to reject nonprescription sales, saying they could increase teen sex. The drug has no effect if a woman is already pregnant.