The History of Plan B (and why I support OTC)

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i found this timeline of the history of plan b emergency contraception at mother jones. in the interest of reasoned debate i thought it was prudent to post a link to an article that had some research based links to outside articles.

some key points:

ama has supported otc status for ec since dec 00.

american college of ob/gyn has supported otc plan b since feb 01.

journal of adolescent health finds that teens will use plan b when available but use of condoms does not decrease. (5/01)

alan guttmacher institute attributes decline in abortion rates between 1994-2000. (as many as 51,000 abortions were averted in 2000 alone.)

journal of adolescent health reports that teenage girls with access to ec were not more likely to report having unprotected sex.

definitely worth taking the time to read and ponder.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

You're right interesting read to ponder. I have no opinion however. It's not a big issue with me. However, thanks for the food for thought.

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Herein lies the rub . . . the definition of "pregnancy".

Some feel it means when a fertilized egg makes it's journey to the uterus and attaches. Others believe that the fertilized egg IS when life begins.

Plan B can prevent a fertilized egg from attaching. That is what sticks in some folks craw, as Plan B is a high dose of oral contraceptives that can prevent pregnancy or cause an early abortion. Depending of course on when you believe life occurs.

Reasoned and passionate and caring folks disagree on this point.

steph

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Specializes in High Risk In Patient OB/GYN.
Some feel it means when a fertilized egg makes it's journey to the uterus and attaches. Others believe that the fertilized egg IS when life begins.

Plan B can prevent a fertilized egg from attaching. That is what sticks in some folks craw, as Plan B is a high dose of oral contraceptives that can prevent pregnancy or cause an early abortion. Depending of course on when you believe life occurs.

The *main* function, mechanism of action, of PLan B is to prevent ovulation. It also acts to thicken cervical mucus. The 3rd mechanism, yes, is to potentially make the uterus a "hostile environment" for a fertilized egg.

Just wanted to clarify that preventing implantation is not the drugs main job.

And for those opposed to Plan B, look at it this way. I've taken it before. had I not had access to it and become pregnant at that time, i would have aborted, no doubt in my mind. And there are plenty of others who share this mind set or similar. So even to the anti-choice set, I think the small chance of it preventing implantation would be worth the definite abortions that would take place. JMO

K

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Even if it prevents implantation, that's no different from other pills or hormonal methods of contraception. I used Depo for years, I wouldn't say I had multiple abortions.

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Just to clarify - I never said Plan B works primarily by preventing a fertilized egg from implanting.

I was simply trying to let people understand why some folks have a problem with this, as there is a possibility of an early abortion.

steph

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Specializes in Day Surgery/Infusion/ED.
Even if it prevents implantation, that's no different from other pills or hormonal methods of contraception. I used Depo for years, I wouldn't say I had multiple abortions.

You might not, but there are plenty of other people who would say you did. Apparently, women are just "vessels" to them. :uhoh3:

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