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Speaking
Out: Stand Up For Women's Rights - The Morning After Pill
Gainesville Sun December
15, 2003
There has been a great deal of misinformation about the Morning After Pill in the past. Few people have even heard of it. I know of one woman who went all the way through pharmacy school without ever learning about the Morning After Pill. Those who have heard of the MAP, frequently confuse it with RU-486, the “French” abortion pill. The MAP does not terminate a pregnancy, it prevents one, similar to taking the birth-control pill, or using a condom. The Morning After Pill, also called Emergency Contraception or EC, can be taken up to 120 hours after unprotected sex. Just like birth control pills, the MAP prevents ovulation or makes it difficult for an egg to implant in the uterine wall. The earlier it is taken, the more effective it is. The MAP is 75-89% effective when taken in a timely manner. If you are already pregnant, the MAP will not work.
Some women refuse to take the Morning After Pill because of the myth that it causes uncontrollable vomiting. As a matter of fact, research endorsed by the AMA suggests that the MAP is safer than long-term use of birth control pills, and many women experience NO side effects at all.
Some women refuse to take the MAP because of the stigmatism of irresponsibility or being thought of as a “slut.” Actually, research suggests that it is the male sexual partner who is irresponsible about birth control, not the woman. Many men resist or outright refuse to wear condoms, and rarely pay for their half of birth control costs. This forces women to take on the moral and financial responsibility for birth control. When a woman uses the MAP, she is yet again taking responsibility.
Some women don’t think they need to worry about the Morning After Pill because they have all the “responsible sex” angles covered. Even when everything is done correctly, there is no accounting for chance. Sometimes condoms break, or we forget to take the pill. It is then that the MAP is indispensable.
Some women refuse to take the MAP because of the myth that it’s cost is exorbitant. In reality, the main cost comes from having to make a visit to your doctor or clinic. While the cost of the MAP may be initially high, it is considerably less expensive that having to have an abortion or raise a child. Over-the-counter status will further reduce the cost, making it a very affordable and efficient birth control method for all women.
Many women don’t realize how essential this resource can be. The current lack of accessibility of the Morning After Pill is the most contemptible aspect of this problem. I know of women who have been ridiculed by medical professionals, tried to get prescriptions filled at pharmacies that refuse to carry the MAP, had to scramble to find a doctor’s office or clinic open on a weekend, or waited too long because of the cost of a doctor’s office visit. Imagine the ease and self-reliance of being able to walk into a store, purchase the MAP along with your toothpaste and shampoo, and use it in your own home at your own convenience.
The FDA wants to hear from women, because we are the real experts on what is right for our bodies. Contact them at www.fda.gov/dockets/ecomments. Tell them that you want the right to purchase the Morning After Pill over-the-counter. An even better idea, join with Gainesville Area NOW, UF & SFCC Campus NOW, and the New York Reproductive Rights Task Force, when we go to DC to present our testimonies to the FDA in person. If you are interested in getting on the bus, contact Gainesville Area NOW at 377-2301, or get more information from our website - www.gainesvillenow.org.
Lisa Labbe, Gainesville Area NOW