Docs Support Morning-After Pill

[dArKeR]

The American Medical Association voiced its support for over-the-counter sales of morning-after birth control, saying the Food and Drug Administration was wrong to reject such sales and urging doctors to write advance prescriptions.

The AMA approved a resolution Monday during its annual meeting opposing the FDA's position. The resolution passed without debate and had drawn applause and wide support at a committee meeting the day before.

Taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse, the drug can cut a woman's chances of pregnancy by up to 89 percent. But it can be hard to find a doctor to write a prescription in time, especially on weekends and holidays.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/12/16/health/main588777.shtml

[Az_lefty]

1. So this is going to be perscribed in advance like b/c pills?

I thought that was the intent all along.

[Voice_of_Europe]

2. Example..

Friend of mine had a ruptured condom (I always thought this was a myth, but he managed to rupture it).

Boy, he and his girlfriend were REALLY reliefed they could just go to the 24-hour drugstore and get one of those pills for her.

No, she certainly didn't enjoy the side effects, but she wouldn't even have less enjoyed an unplanned child in the middle of her doctorate.

One year later they broke up...now imagine the good woman with a child and without her educational degree and trying to find work a few years later.

This happens way to much.


She needed that pill just ONCE in her life, but she was sure happy to get it!

[prodigal_green]

3. anti-choicers

have no idea how this works. It takes approximately 48 hours for sperm to reach the ovum in the fallopian tube. The morning after pill prevents the sperm from reaching the ovum, therefore avoiding conception. The anti-choice lobby is so anti-sex that it paints this drug as an abortative. The FDA is pressured by fundies to make sure this is not available to those that need it most.

And yes, speaking from experience, condoms do break and yes, it is a total panic-fest until you get your period.

[PassingFair]

5. Er, Whoa...

I'm no biologist, but I believe that "birth-control" works by ensuring that the egg does not adhere to the lining of the uterus. Fertilized or not. I don't think the pill inhibits conception, it inhibits implantation. And I'm 100% pro-choice.

[prodigal_green]

6. OK, we're both right

<snip>Plan B works by preventing the release of an egg from the ovary, by preventing sperm and egg from uniting or by preventing a fertilized egg from attaching to the wall of the uterus. Plan B is 89% effective if taken properly within 72 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse and even more effective (95%) if taken within the first 24 hours. Plan B does not protect against sexually transmitted infections and HIV.

If you are already pregnant Plan B will not cause an abortion or harm the fetus.
<snip>

http://www.region.peel.on.ca/health/hsexual/htmfiles/bcecpill.htm

[WildClarySage]

4. Keeping birth control measures

out of the hands (and bodies) of women is another tactic to try to deny people the right to have sex. What is it about republicans and sex? You'd think that if they hated it as much as they say they do, then there wouldn't be so damn many of them!

[Moderator]

7. Duplicate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x623254