The morning after pill

Casual sex is on the rise and sex without precaution or protection is now becoming supposedly “safer” with the advent of the morning after pill. The idea of safe sex seems to be limited to ‘not getting pregnant’.

The morning after pill sold under many brand names, as we know, is an emergency contraceptive pill meant to be used only in cases of emergency when other regular means of contraception may have failed; but the way the pill has been advertised, and marketed especially in India, is causing it to be used as a regular habit instead of safe contraceptive measures among the young generation with total disregard for how it will affect their health. Teenagers and the younger generation especially girls in their twenties are popping it like they would a multi-vitamin pill. This has caused their menstrual cycles to go totally haywire.

These youngsters have not been educated in the safe use of this pill, all they see in the advertisement is that it is a safe, discreet and convenient way of getting rid of any embarassing repurcussions of totally irresponsible or impulsive behavior. This is not to be morally condemning but they seem to have overlooked the fact that using condoms is a much more safer and protective method of contraception which also offers protection from any sexually transmitted diseases. It appears that protection from sexually transmitted diseases is not even given a second thought by the women popping this pill as a habit. The convenience factor of this method is its greatest appeal. There is then no need to interrupt the “mood” of the moment, and any repercussions can be easily taken care of by a little pill after the deed is done.

These morning after pills or emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) are generally recommended or designed as backup or "emergency" use, and certainly NOT as the primary means of contraception. As I’ve said earlier, they are intended for use when other regular means of contraception may have failed for example, if a girl/woman has forgotten to take her regular birth control pill or in case a condom tears or slips off during sex. These important facts have not been underlined enough.

The harmful side effects of long term use of this pill has not been talked about at all in the advertisement. According to surveys and statistics, and what the doctors are saying, the need for this information is now vital. In my opinion, this pill should be sold only on being prescribed by a doctor and “not over the counter” without a prescription. This will curtail the misuse of the morning after pill. Also the younger generation need to be educated on the difference between the regular contraceptive pills and the morning after pill. It has been proven mediaclly that long term use of the regular contraceptive pill also has its own repercussions on health.

No doubt the morning after pill has advantages, for example rape victims, and as the advertisment states, it is better than having to undergo an abortion or medical termination of pregnancy procedure, but the danger lies in using it indiscriminately, and too often.