Levonorgestrel: aka Plan B aka "The Morning After Pill"

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by TNT666 on January 14, 2010 at 9:09pm

I used the morning after pill once, but I ran out of luck and got pregnant just the same, this was back in the mid 90s and we still needed a prescription at that time.

This is definitely a good campaign idea for for planned parenthood committees. My home province of Québec still requires a pharmacist to sign off on it, reason given is that it allows for interventions, in case of rape or such, gives the pharmacist a chance to «get a vibe» off the buyer. But I do believe over the counter is the best as the time lapse is of the utmost importance.

I'm very glad to learn it's now prescription free in a growing number of countries.

Let us not forget the other hormonal pregnancy preventer: EllaOne, in Europe, which keeps it's efficacy at 95% for 5 days (vs Plan B which is 95% efficient in the first 12 hours but quickly drops to 60% after 48 hours).

Lastly, the steroidal abortifacient (Wikipedia) Mifepristone, which permits medical abortion during the first 7 weeks of pregnancy, period during which suction is not recommended.

Thanks for posting this, the last couple of years have brought about many changes of policy.

Permalink Reply by Ariel on January 15, 2010 at 10:06pm

Having recently moved to the "Jesus will cure your spinal deformity" part of the country, I've occasionally wondered how hard it would be for me to get the Morning After Pill around here. I know that there have been problems with pharmacists refusing to give it. Around here I would easily believe drugstores refusing to carry it.

Permalink Reply by Noah Petersen on January 16, 2010 at 4:26am

The Christians think that this is an "Abortion" pill and refuse to try and understand the science behind it. It may be a long time before the "Bible Belt" allows this to be sold OTC.

Permalink Reply by TNT666 on January 16, 2010 at 4:29am

Hopefully it can get included in upcoming versions of the National Health Care Bill, with some kind of availability garantee...

Permalink Reply by Noah Petersen on January 16, 2010 at 4:30am

I never thought of that. This product should be covered by health insurance!

Permalink Reply by TNT666 on January 16, 2010 at 4:43am

In some European countries the pills are actually covered by national healthcare.

Not in Canada tho, altho accessible, we still must pay for the pills themselves (unless they've got medical coverage at work), except seniors and welfare recipients of course, whos medication IS covered by national healthcare.

Permalink Reply by TNT666 on February 5, 2010 at 12:26am

Looks like we're getting part of our wish...

Pentagon to Offer Emergency Contraception Abroad

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Pentagon for the first time is requiring military bases worldwide to offer emergency contraception or the so-called morning-after pill.

Defense Department spokeswoman Cynthia Smith says the decision follows a recommendation by an independent panel of doctors and pharmacists in November. It said emergency contraception should be added to the military's list of medications that must be stocked at each military facility.

Smith said she did not have additional details about when the implementation would begin.

Permalink Reply by Double Standards??? on February 5, 2010 at 1:21pm

TNT, I clicked on that link and a person needs to log in to read that article.

The Washington Post
Pentagon to offer emergency contraception abroad

Permalink Reply by TNT666 on February 5, 2010 at 6:27pm

I see two paragraphs and a solitary line, it seemed like simply a short article, but I could be mistaken...

Permalink Reply by Rikka on February 5, 2010 at 3:34pm

costs $15 at my school's health center! no prescription or appointment needed :D

and we're in the South! :O