Morning After Pill may soon be OTC. Thoughts?

[Tonya]

Originally posted by WolfChan
Edit: Just as a random add-on, I also thing you should be allowed to get permanent sterilization surgery when you're 18...no questions asked. I've been battling with several doctors about this since my 18th birthday.

I don't know, WolfChan. The case is very different for everyone, but I must say, I have 3 friends that were refused sterilization by doctors. They all swore on their lives that they'd never want kids. One is now 40, and finally convinced a doctor to do it, which she doesn't regret.

The other is 25, had one kid...because of degenerative back disease, the birth was so painful that she wanted her tubes tied. The doctors refused and she is very frustrated because she is dead set on not having kids.

The third, 27 years old was the one that I'd thought would never have kids for sure. She hated them. No patience or interest what so ever. Now, out of the blue, she's found her soulmate that wants kids so bad. He's somehow changed her perspective on children and she's so thankful that she hadn't gotten her tubes tied.

Even though you are 99.9% sure, I don't think it hurts much to wait. Birth control isn't all that inconvenient.

[Twisterdog]

Edit: Just as a random add-on, I also thing you should be allowed to get permanent sterilization surgery when you're 18...no questions asked. I've been battling with several doctors about this since my 18th birthday.

AMEN to that!!!! What gives with that anyway?!?! I have NEVER understood why some middle-aged male doctor has the right to tell a woman how many children she WILL want to have in ten years? Excuuuuse me??

We can go to the doctor and get a face-lift, a breast enlargement, a butt-lift, etc. ... surgeries that have NO medical value whatsoever, are purely cosmetic. But ... we can't get our tubes tied. What?!?!

I wanted my tubes tied after I had my son. I KNEW I NEVER wanted anymore kids. I was twenty-three years old. Nope, no way, no one would do it. NOT fair.

[Twisterdog]

Even though you are 99.9% sure, I don't think it hurts much to wait. Birth control isn't all that inconvenient.

So ... what are you saying ... that a woman who is 99.9% sure that she doesn't want kids and wants her tubes tied is still incapable of making that rational decision? And that a male doctor knows better??

I have no doubt whatsoever that many people that have their tubes tied change their minds and regret it later. Well, guess what ... regret is part of life. It teaches you to make better decisions.

Women who quietly buy into the "Father Knows Best" attitude of paternalistic organizations in this country are feeding the unspoken belief that women are too silly and stupid to know their own minds and too unpredictable to be able to control their own bodies and make their own decisions. NO ONE knows what I want better than I do. And if I'm wrong later on down the road, well, so be it. I'll deal with. My mind, my body, my choices ... I don't need Ward Cleaver patting my hand and telling me "There, there, dear." Puhleeeesse.

My boyfriend got a vasectomy years ago. No one questioned him, or told him he would regret it, and the doctor sure as heck didn't refuse to do it! If any doctor ever did the condescending, patronizing crap to a man that they do to women everyday, there would be a lawsuit, and quick, I promise you.

[CathyBogart]

I'm sorry Tonya, but I think that's very sad. He has "somehow" changed her perspective? Does this involve in some way saying "Kids or me"? If Brian ever got baby rabies I would be out the door in a heartbeat - Just as long as it took to grab my snake's tank and walk away.

I think it's very sad when people are pressured to have kids because it's the "Right" thing to do, or when their spouse manipulates them into doing something they don't want to do.

Twisterdog: My family has a friend who is a lawyer, and she's right now looking into legal options for me. Heck, maybe I'll bring her into the doc's office with me next time I go in!

[Tonya]

I think that it should truly be the woman's choice. You are right, no doctor should tell you what to do with your body. -I actually even agree with that when it comes to abortion. Everyone should have a choice on what they do.

In fact, I'm going to wander a bit off the subject. When I say that I am deadset against abortion, I am referring to myself. It is for very deep and personal reasons.

What I am saying about steralization is that it wouldn't hurt to much to wait. But that is simply an opinion. That should be your decision, not a doctors.

As far as my friend goes, Wolf...I don't know what's up. She's an entirely different person since she met this guy. I hope to God that it is because she is happy and not because she is brainwashed. I suppose we'll find out in due time.

[Twisterdog]

Originally posted by WolfChan
Twisterdog: My family has a friend who is a lawyer, and she's right now looking into legal options for me. Heck, maybe I'll bring her into the doc's office with me next time I go in!

I so hope it works out for you. I've been where you are standing now, and it is not fun.

And guess what, people? Everyone who is smugly stating, "Just use birth control. It's not that hard. What, is she too stupid to use birth control?" Well, holier-than-thou folks ... news flash ... there is NO method of birth contol, save abstinance, that is 100% effective. Birth control fails sometimes. How many people walking around in this country today are living, breathing proof of that?

I have a twelve year old son. I LOVE him dearly. I never planned to have him. I never planned to have any children. I faithfully and correctly used birth control always ... and I got pregnant anyway. It happens. It changes lives, it sometimes ruins lives. It can happen to ANY of us. Yes ... it can.

[CathyBogart]

Originally posted by Twisterdog
And guess what, people? Everyone who is smugly stating, "Just use birth control. It's not that hard. What, is she too stupid to use birth control?" Well, holier-than-thou folks ... news flash ... there is NO method of birth contol, save abstinance, that is 100% effective. Birth control fails sometimes. How many people walking around in this country today are living, breathing proof of that?

I would like to agree and applaud you and add my own...

PEOPLE ARE MANIPULATIVE! I made sure my ex and I used birth control regularly. HE was the one who purposely got me pregnant by POPPING A CONDOM to force me not to dump him. I never thought that trusting someone I loved would have such horrible results. (This led to all sorts of problems in the beginning of my current relationship, but that's another rant)

My co-worker got pregnant once on the shot, and TWICE after she got her tubes tied.

It's not as simple as hign and mighty people who have never been in that situation make it sound. "What a moron, how could she go and get herself pregnant at sixteen?" EXCUSE THE FRAG OUT OF ME FOR TRUSTING A MAN I HAD BEEN WITH FOR TWO YEARS!

On another board there was a thread about the poor girl who died after using the abortion pill. I was brought to tears by all the responses that basically said "Good, one more idiot who can't use BC wiped out of the gene pool!" Goddess, that could have been me! At least the man was standing by the poor girl and they were doing something about it.

Erf, I apologize for completely hijacking this thread.

[Tonya]

I do agree there. I was faithfully on the pill when I got pregnant with Jaden.

[Twisterdog]

Originally posted by WolfChan
On another board there was a thread about the poor girl who died after using the abortion pill. I was brought to tears by all the responses that basically said "Good, one more idiot who can't use BC wiped out of the gene pool!" Goddess, that could have been me! At least the man was standing by the poor girl and they were doing something about it.

Erf, I apologize for completely hijacking this thread.

I don't think you have hijacked the thread at all. I think everything we are talking about is related .... birth control methods, manipulative people, closed-minded attitudes, etc. These are all very real issues women face ... the Plan B pill is just one more option on the list.

And to all who would say something like, "Good, one more idiot who can't use BC wiped out of the gene pool!" .... I would say, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." Or, if you're not into the Bible, the old "walk a mile in her shoes" saying fits, as well.


One of my favorite songs of all time is "What It's Like" by Everlast .......

"We've all seen the man at the liquor store beggin' for your change
The hair on his face is dirty, dreadlocked and full of mange
He ask the man for what he could spare with shame in his eyes
Get a job you f**kin' slob's all he replied

God forbid you ever had to walk a mile in his shoes
'Cause then you really might know what it's like to sing the blues
Then you really might know what it's like

Mary got pregnant from a kid named Tom who said he was in love
He said don't worry about a thing baby doll I'm the man you've been dreamin' of
But three months later he said he won't date her or return her call
And she sweared god d*mn if I find that man I'm cuttin' off his b*lls
And then she heads for the clinic and she gets some static walkin' through the doors
They call her a killer, and they call her a sinner, and they call her a wh*re

God forbid you ever had to walk a mile in her shoes
'Cause then you really might know what it's like to have to choose
Then you really might know what it's like

I've seen a rich man beg
I've seen a good man sin
I've seen a tough man cry
I've seen a loser win
And a sad man grin
I heard an honest man lie
I've seen the good side of bad
And the down side of up
And everything between
I licked the silver spoon
Drank from the golden cup
Smoked the finest green
I stroked daddies dimes at least a couple of times
Before I broke their heart
You know where it ends
Yo, it usually depends on where you start

I knew this kid named Max
He used to get fat stacks out on the corner with drugs
He liked to hang out late at night
Liked to get sh*t faced
And keep pace with thugs
Until late one night there was a big gun fight
Max lost his head
He pulled out his chrome .45
Talked some sh*t
And wound up dead
Now his wife and his kids are caught in the midst of all of his pain
You know it crumbles that way
At least that's what they say when you play the game

God forbid you ever had to wake up to hear the news
'Cause then you really might know what it's like to have to lose
Then you really might know what it's like
To have to lose...

[Fox-Gal]

If there is an age requirement and sold behind the counter by the druggist then I don't have a big problem with it. It should only be sold to adults that can fully understand all the risks in taking it.

I can see a use for it for woman that are not sexually active, they might not want to go on any other form of birth control. But there could be that one time they were not counting on where these pills could come in handy.

But for it to be hanging right next to the condoms for anyone to pick up......then NO.

I can picture it now, a 15/16 year old girl goes out on her date, but first they have to stop at the drug store so she can pick up her morning after pills and again the next night, and the next night, etc. Or the boy who tells his girfrind, "I got these pills for you so you don't have to worry about anything, you won't get pregent." "you know it's safe or else they wouldn't sell them" "Trust me."

I went to walmart the other day and bought spray paint and because I bought over 3 cans, the register rang up an age check. You had to be over 18 to buy 3 or more cans of spray paint. But it might be OK to buy the morning after pill at any age.

I'm sorry but I strongly belive you should have to go up to the counter and face the druggist and ask for the pills, with a age check and handed all the information needed to use it responsible before ever being able to buy it.

[Twisterdog]

If there is an age requirement and sold behind the counter by the druggist then I don't have a big problem with it. It should only be sold to adults that can fully understand all the risks in taking it.

Sure, in theory, only adults could buy it because only adults would need it, right ... in a perfect world. But, in a perfect world, there would be no need for a product such as this anyway. It's not a perfect world.

So, a fourteen year old having sex shouldn't be allowed access to this product? It would be a million times better if fourteen year olds didn't have sex at all, no argument there. Reality check: fourteen year olds have sex. Thirteen year olds have sex. Twelve year olds have sex. Such is our world.

[dukedogsmom]

I think it's great!

[Maresche]

I also think it is a great idea. I wish it wasn't necessary, but that ain't the case.

My only concern is regarding any health complications.

[pit chic]

Ok, so doctors won't tie a womans tubes or do a hysterctomy until a certain age for fear of being sued. Besides it's more dangerous and not always reversible when a woman gets it done. So I have a solution that people on both sides of the contraception issue could agree on.

All males that reach sexual maturity should have a vasectamy. When they are old enough and ready to have kids, then they can have the procedure reversed.

[2kitties]

Well, that may be true, pit chic, ( and lord knows there are plenty of men out there who seriously need to be sterilized!) but while vasectomies are reversable, they are not without complication or risk.

The thing with that idea and the idea that a woman can't choose to have her tubes tied is that it interferes with a person's right to make their own reproductive choices. So, it just doesn't work. While I'm personally not a big fan of abortion because in my mind there is a second life to consider, the idea that someone can tell me what I can and can't do with my reproductive organs when there isn't a baby involved just makes me angry.