2008 Woodie Awards
Keeping emergency contraceptives on hand
Meredith Clinton
Issue date: 11/29/07 Section: News
More than one year ago, the FDA approved over-the-counter status of emergency contraception (EC), but there are a number of women still unaware of the importance of having a dose of EC in their medicine cabinet.
The Planned Parenthood of North East Pennsylvania (PPNEP) would like to express its concern for how important it is for women to take advantage of this opportunity.
EC reduces the risk of pregnancy if it is started within 72 hours of having unprotected sex, but has also been shown to be effective up to 120 hours (5 days). Of course, the sooner EC is taken after unprotected sex, the more effective its results will be.
"Because timely use of this form of contraception is important, women should have a dose on hand in case it is needed," said Kim Custer, President and CEO of PPNEP. "If a woman misses a birth control pill, takes it at a different time of day, or is on a course of antibiotics, she is at risk of pregnancy."
EC is 95 percent effective if taken within 24 hours of unprotected intercourse. It's effectiveness drops to 89 percent if taken 24 to 72 hours afterwards. The shelf life of EC is typically two years, which is why PPNEP is encouraging women to keep a dose of EC on hand, especially with the holiday season coming into effect.
With schedules becoming erratic and the possibility of pharmacies or doctors' offices not being open, and as flu season hits, it is especially important to have a dose of EC on hand.
In addition to EC having a potential two year shelf life, a recent study has shown that women are much more likely to use EC if they had it prior to needing it. The study, reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that women who were educated about EC and given the contraceptive to keep on hand until needed, were more likely to use EC in the long-term and more likely to use condoms.
"We encourage sexually-active women who are not intending to become pregnant to use a standard form of birth control like the pill, the patch, Depo, or condoms. But accidents happen," explains Custer. "Sometimes couples experience contraceptive failure or have unprotected sex. They need to have EC on hand."
The Planned Parenthood of North East Pennsylvania (PPNEP) would like to express its concern for how important it is for women to take advantage of this opportunity.
EC reduces the risk of pregnancy if it is started within 72 hours of having unprotected sex, but has also been shown to be effective up to 120 hours (5 days). Of course, the sooner EC is taken after unprotected sex, the more effective its results will be.
"Because timely use of this form of contraception is important, women should have a dose on hand in case it is needed," said Kim Custer, President and CEO of PPNEP. "If a woman misses a birth control pill, takes it at a different time of day, or is on a course of antibiotics, she is at risk of pregnancy."
EC is 95 percent effective if taken within 24 hours of unprotected intercourse. It's effectiveness drops to 89 percent if taken 24 to 72 hours afterwards. The shelf life of EC is typically two years, which is why PPNEP is encouraging women to keep a dose of EC on hand, especially with the holiday season coming into effect.
With schedules becoming erratic and the possibility of pharmacies or doctors' offices not being open, and as flu season hits, it is especially important to have a dose of EC on hand.
In addition to EC having a potential two year shelf life, a recent study has shown that women are much more likely to use EC if they had it prior to needing it. The study, reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that women who were educated about EC and given the contraceptive to keep on hand until needed, were more likely to use EC in the long-term and more likely to use condoms.
"We encourage sexually-active women who are not intending to become pregnant to use a standard form of birth control like the pill, the patch, Depo, or condoms. But accidents happen," explains Custer. "Sometimes couples experience contraceptive failure or have unprotected sex. They need to have EC on hand."