Plan B - page 4

1. 
   Aug 25, '06

   I don't think anyone is being judgemental, just expressing opinions and birth control is a hot topic.
   
   I have definite concerns about Plan B...the one dcotor here who will prescribe it insists on a pelvic exam and pap before prescribing it...now that it is OTC, many women will forgo exams because they don't have to. I have concerns about what effects frequent use could have on a woman's body...I have concerns about women being so desparate for Plan B that they will attempt to steal it...I have concerns that many women will still not have access to emergency contraception because of the cost and limited availability. I doubt anyone on this forum is unconcerned.
2. 
   Aug 25, '06

   If I understand it right, the "morning after" pills, basically automatically induce your period, and happens to be extremely painful (intense cramping) from the unnatural uterine contractions. I'm sure it would definitely be an experience that a young woman would not want to go through again. So, I doubt it that it would be frequently used by the same person.
3. 
   Aug 25, '06

   If you re-read my post, you will see I did not say that anyone had no concerns about patient safety. (At least you would see that if I made more sense!) What I meant to say is that many are focusing on their opinions of the client's behaviors/morals/irresponsibility, not legitimate safety concerns based on documented adverse effects of the use of the drug.
   
   It is my opinion that it would be stretching credibility to find the patient is displaying a pattern of engaging in high-risk behaviors by requesting Plan B once or twice a year.
   
   What, b/t/w, would be the rationale behind insisting on a pelvic exam before prescribing? What could you find that would contraindicate the drug except unexplained bleeding? And a PAP test is desirable in general, but is it your opinion that it should be mandatory before ANY birth control use? (If the prescription is dependent on the results, that is just delaying until the window of efficacy has passed.)
   
   Additionally, this has only been approved OTC for women 18 y/o and over. At this age, I would think most would have a good idea where they can get counseling about BC, STDs, and sexual abuse, etc. IF THEY WANT IT.
   
   Edited to add to MarieLPN: Point taken. I am judging certain biases I perceive. Additionally, you are quite right in separating personal bias from patient interactions. Thank you.

   Last edit by justpoorfect on Aug 25, '06
4. 
   Aug 25, '06

   What I meant to say is that many are focusing on their opinions of the client's behaviors/morals/irresponsibility, not legitimate safety concerns based on documented adverse effects of the use of the drug.

   They all go hand in hand
5. 
   Aug 25, '06

   I can't believe insurance doesn't cover BC pills......is that common? I've never had to buy them.

   Ours used to be that way. It wouldn't cover BC pills, yet it covered Viagra for ED.
6. 
   Aug 25, '06

   What, b/t/w, would be the rationale behind insisting on a pelvic exam before prescribing? What could you find that would contraindicate the drug except unexplained bleeding?

   Depends on the situation that brought the pt. in.
7. 
   Aug 25, '06

   I would be willing to read any studies you might point to that indicate Plan B is unsafe due to a patient's morals.
8. 
   Aug 25, '06

   BEHAVIOR, IRRESPONSIBILITY, and SAFETY go hand in hand.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   (LP here)

   Last edit by Marie_LPN, RN on Aug 25, '06
9. 
   Aug 25, '06

   I say the USE OF THE DRUG is safe, regardless of the patient's irresponsibility in their sexual life. That is a separate issue and a matter of choice. Until proven otherwise, the drug will remain on the approved list.
   
   
10. 
    Aug 25, '06

    As someone else already mentioned, since Plan B CAN keep a fertilized egg from implanting, then it is abortion to those of us who believe that a fertilized egg IS life. So, it won't keep people from having abortions. They'll just have very early abortions.
    
    As to whether it leads to promiscuity - I think there are many more things that play into that then just having a pill available.
    
    I have seen women use abortion as birth control - my own sister had five that I personally know about. She has three children from three different men and fortunately had a tubal. Thank God.
    
    I've taught my kids that if you decide to have sex you MUST take into consideration the fact that pregnancy can occur. That you are at risk for an STD. That your heart may be broken. It is a big deal - not something to be taken lightly.
    
    steph
11. 
    Aug 26, '06

    Quote from cotjockey

    I don't think Plan B should be used as a primary means of birth control...and as hard as it may be to believe, threre are women out there who do. We used to have a lady who came to the ER at least a couple of times a year seeking emergency contraception.
    
    I think having Plan B OTC is a good idea...hopefully, it will prevent a lot of unwanted pregnancies. One of the big issues I see with it is availability. I don't really think it should be available just sitting there next to the Tylenol and Advil...it is a good idea to keep it behind the counter. But, I have pretty mixed feelings about having it available only at pharmacies. I live in a small town with one pharmacy...it is privately owned and managed and the owner is a strict Catholic who doesn't believe in birth control in any form...yes, he stocks and dispenses birth control pills, but he refuses to stock condoms. I'm 99% sure he won't stock Plan B OTC...so women in this small town still won't have that option unless they make a 75 mile journey to the south. If it were stocked in places like K-Mart, grocery stores, etc, it would be much more accessible...I doubt that the big chains would refuse another way to make $60.

    that's ridiculous! he'll dispense bc pills but he won't sell condoms? condoms are the only thing that can help prevent the transmission of hiv and stds!
    
    he should lose his license over such irresponsibilty!!!!!
12. 
    Aug 26, '06

    Quote from stevielynn

    As someone else already mentioned, since Plan B CAN keep a fertilized egg from implanting, then it is abortion to those of us who believe that a fertilized egg IS life. So, it won't keep people from having abortions. They'll just have very early abortions.
    
    As to whether it leads to promiscuity - I think there are many more things that play into that then just having a pill available.
    
    I have seen women use abortion as birth control - my own sister had five that I personally know about. She has three children from three different men and fortunately had a tubal. Thank God.
    
    I've taught my kids that if you decide to have sex you MUST take into consideration the fact that pregnancy can occur. That you are at risk for an STD. That your heart may be broken. It is a big deal - not something to be taken lightly.
    
    steph

    technically i understand that once the egg is fertilized you consider the inability to implant makes it an abortion.
    
    i just want to ask about another form of abortion, and why no one talk about it.
    
    everyday women enter fertility clinics and have their eggs artificially inseminated. then they chose a few embryos to be placed back in their uteruses. the other embryos, if not frozen, are discarded or used for research. this is technically aborting life.
    
    even if they embryos are frozen, after so many years, is it technically abandonment, since there's life?
    
    pro life people applaud these couples as they go through this process... but i never hear of anyone questioning these practices.
    
    anyone want to share their opinions on these matters??.....
13. 
    Aug 26, '06

    Quote from stevielynn

    As someone else already mentioned, since Plan B CAN keep a fertilized egg from implanting, then it is abortion to those of us who believe that a fertilized egg IS life. So, it won't keep people from having abortions. They'll just have very early abortions.

    You're right, many people feel the same way you do about this topic, however; that same point of view hasn't stopped IUDs from being dispensed regularly for BC. There is more than one type of BC that works via preventing the fertilized egg from implanting and they are widely accepted and used. IMO Plan B is only different in that it isn't intended to be a *primary* form of BC.
    The person being intervied in the news report I mentioned earlier was strongly against Plan B and yet freely administered IUDs to her patients. Explain that one!?
    
    RNin'08
    ~my reality check bounced~

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