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New pill could promote promiscuity and STD’s

A morning-after pill effective for up to five days after intercourse will soon be available for women to purchase…without needing a GP appointment.

For the first time, any woman aged 18 or older will have the opportunity to buy the strong medication known as EllaOne from select Co-operative Pharmacy branches.

However, advocates argue that because this pill can be taken long after conception, it constitutes an early form of abortion.

There are also worries that it may promote unprotected sex, as women could view it as a ‘safety net’, potentially leading to increased promiscuity and higher rates of sexually transmitted infections.

EllaOne can be taken later after sex than traditional morning-after pills, which are effective for only three days, and it is up to twice as effective at preventing pregnancies.

Previously, obtaining EllaOne required a prescription from a GP, or it could be purchased from a little-known website in London that also sells Viagra and weight-loss medications.

This pill will be available for sale in southern England and Wales, particularly in areas with high rates of unintended pregnancies.

The medication functions by thickening the womb’s entrance, hindering sperm from entering and fertilizing the egg if taken within the first day or so after sex.

Moreover, it alters the lining of the womb, making it impossible for a fertilized egg to implant and develop into a fetus if taken up to five days after intercourse, although no evidence exists that such pills effectively reduce unwanted pregnancies.

‘Instead, particularly young people may find themselves lulled into a misleading sense of security, adopting a more casual approach to sex, thus exposing themselves to a higher risk of sexually transmitted infections,’ he added.

Maria Macgregor from the charity Life remarked: ‘The ethical implications of these types of pills are frequently neglected. As the manufacturers acknowledge, one mechanism by which they can operate is by preventing the implantation of an already fertilized embryo.

‘There is also some indication that making these pills available can actually lead to an increase in unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections.

‘This may result from behavior risk compensation, where the presence of a perceived safety net promotes less cautious behavior.’

Jane Devenish, a clinical service pharmacist at Co-operative Pharmacy, stated: ‘It is not our role to judge people’s motives or lifestyles; various reasons can exist for seeking medical assistance.

‘The topic is emotionally charged, and we believe providing this service will be a significant step in giving women access to a broader range of emergency contraception at a community pharmacy, empowering them to make informed choices.’

Pharmacists will interview women interested in purchasing EllaOne to verify their age and ensure they aren’t already pregnant or on any medications that could lead to complications.

If any pharmacist suspects that an individual is under 18 – and they cannot furnish ID proving otherwise – they will be denied the pill, as it has not undergone adequate testing in younger populations.

Potential side effects include nausea, vomiting, headaches, mood swings, and back pain, which resemble those of the traditional morning-after pill.

Research has indicated that only 0.91 percent of women who took EllaOne became pregnant, in contrast to 1.68 percent among those who used the conventional morning-after pill.

by Susan Floyd

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