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Q&A on the Morning-After Pill
Clearly Caring Magazine, July/August 2006, Vol. 26, No. 4QUESTION: I’ve heard conflicting stories about the morning-after pill possibly causing abortions. Now an effort is underway to make it available without a prescription. Can you please clarify?
[CLR UPDATE: On April 22, 2009, the U.S. FDA announced plans to follow a previous month’s ruling by a federal judge and make the morning-after pill available to 17-year-olds without a prescription.]
ANSWER: The morning-after pill, also marketed as Plan B, is similar to typical birth control pills but contains a higher level of synthetic hormones. Despite its name as a “morning-after” form of emergency contraception, the literature indicates it is “effective” even up to 72 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse.
The debate continues regarding the morning-after pill’s classification as an abortifacient (meaning it causes an abortion) or a contraceptive (meaning it prevents conception). Evidence suggests it can serve in both capacities. The morning-after pill is designed to suppress ovulation. When that occurs it works as a contraceptive. In some situations, however, the timing is such that the morning-after pill is taken after ovulation so the hormones are unable to prevent the release of an ovum. Evidence shows that the morning-after pill can also alter the uterine lining which might prevent the implantation of an embryo. If an embryo is unable to implant, then the morning-after pill acts as an abortifacient.
In addition to the potential abortifacient nature of the morning-after pill, Christian Life Resources is also concerned that this medication is specifically marketed to single women who want sexual freedom without the “risk” of a pregnancy. For example, a number of college newspaper advertisements recently reminded coeds to get their morning-after pills in preparation for spring break. We cannot condone a method of birth control that is intended to promote “safe sinning.”
Over-the-counter sales of the morning-after pill is also a practice that we believe is unwise. Even if we were to set aside the abortifacient potential and the use of the drug outside of marriage, one could argue that since regular birth control is not available without a prescription, the more powerful morning-after pill should not become more easily available. Over-the-counter availability means pre-teen and teenage girls can purchase this form of birth control without a parent’s knowledge or approval, and it communicates a message that a potential pregnancy is not very serious.
In spite of many concerns, the movement to allow over-the-counter sale of the morning-after pill is advancing. A federal law would mandate this change throughout the country. Currently*, Alaska, California, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, and Washington State allow some pharmacies to provide emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) without requiring a woman to see anyone except the pharmacist. In addition, Vermont pharmacists will soon be able to provide ECPs without a prescription as soon as the newly-enacted state law is implemented.
* NOTE: This information was current through May 2006.
Article Shortcut: http://www.christianliferesources.com?6397
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