The FDA recently approved the sales of plan B emergency contraception over the counter for those 15 years or older. The selling of plan B has become an ongoing debate since the drug was first introduced behind pharmacy counters in 2006. Research suggests that plan B is not as reliable or safe as it may seem and for some, it is safe to say plan B can cause infertility in women.
The side effects of plan B include severe abdominal cramping, vomiting, heavy bleeding and menstrual changes. These symptoms often lead to an undiagnosed ectopic pregnancy. 50% of women report experiencing vomiting within one hour of taking the pill. Many times this leads to an unintended pregnancy from expelling the pill while vomiting. Also, many women do not take into account the possibilities of allergic reaction and drug interaction. Over the counter sales of plan B increases the risk of such reactions because pharmacists do not educate patients on the drug, as doctors would when receiving a written prescription. Moreover, research shows the link between plan B use and the development of gastrointestinal, nervous system and reproductive disorders.
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What about plan B and pregnancy? The risk of pregnancy increases each day a patient waits to take their emergency contraceptive pill. With the window being 72 hours after unprotected sex, the risk increases after 24 hours. 20-35% of women will become pregnant due to failed emergency contraception. In addition, many women will use plan B with an unknown, preexisting pregnancy. This increases the risk of an ectopic pregnancy. 10% of pregnancies occurring from failed emergency contraception will be ectopic. And although the side effects of plan B may seem short lived, ectopic pregnancies do not usually occur until about 3-5 weeks after taking the pill. Many critics also argue that long term use of emergency contraception will result in infertility due to the changes in hormones, menstruation and ovulation. Drug claims also state that fertility is "likely" to return back to normal after using plan B.
Lastly, research finds that adolescents are uninformed on the drug and its side effects and proper usage. The drug label warns patients not to exceed using the pill more than twice in a given month. Adolescents report using plan B up to 4 to 5 times in a given month. With plan B purchases being highest at local pharmacies, many teens walk out with the pill with little to no knowledge about the drug. However, research does not show an increase in sales of plan B after it was approved over the counter for those 18 and older in 2006. Additionally, abortion rates have not decreased due to the sales of emergency contraception.
Thus, the long term effects of plan B use is well under researched. It is a fairly new drug in comparison to hormonal birth control pills. How will the over the counter sales of plan B to adolescents affect rates of abortion, ectopic pregnancies and fertility? The question remains unanswered and quite controversial.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7702012
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