The morning after pill should be easier to obtain.

[Roses]

While disliking NS's usual slightly sarcastic, slightly aggressive tone, I agree with the substance of his posts for once. If the RCOG recommends it, it must surely be safe enough to be over-the-counter.

Thing have been recommended in the past by medical institutions, which have been proved not to be safe for everyone.

[Steve H]

Thing have been recommended in the past by medical institutions, which have been proved not to be safe for everyone.

Nothing's safe for everyone, but many drugs are safe enough to be sold over the counter, with suitable warnings about correct dose, counter-indications, etc.

[Nearly Sane]

Thing have been recommended in the past by medical institutions, which have been proved not to be safe for everyone.

Indeed but the problem is then thinking that any view is equivalent to a such a report. It's fine to ask questions but we don't have time to ask questions about everything - do you check for example the recommendations on safety for washing machines? If you are concerned in any particular case then looking at a short BBC article, and then doing a bit of googling to find something about the drugs, isn't putting you in a strong position to comment.

[jeremyp]

While disliking NS's usual slightly sarcastic, slightly aggressive tone, I agree with the substance of his posts for once. If the RCOG recommends it, it must surely be safe enough to be over-the-counter.

While I don't think it's necessarily a good idea to trust the opinions of professional bodies every time, on this occasion, I'm going to assume that they've got the risks right. Even if the morning after pill is dangerous, is it more dangerous than other forms of abortion or even taking a pregnancy to term? I don't know. I'm not going to bother to read the report. I'm going to trust the opinion of the professional body in this case.

[Roses]

Indeed but the problem is then thinking that any view is equivalent to a such a report. It's fine to ask questions but we don't have time to ask questions about everything - do you check for example the recommendations on safety for washing machines? If you are concerned in any particular case then looking at a short BBC article, and then doing a bit of googling to find something about the drugs, isn't putting you in a strong position to comment.

We have been a member of WHICH since we married in 1969, and check it out before we buy a substantial purchase like a washing machine or a car. We think it wise to question everything thing first, never taking anything on trust alone.

Getting back to medical questions, there are plenty of medics of various sorts in my family, I did a nursing course for nine months in 1968, previously I had worked as a doctor's receptionist and surrogate pharmacist when I left school at 17. My experiences have proved to me that medics make mistakes, sometimes BIG TIME and therefore I never, ever take their advice without asking relevant questions first.

[Outrider]

Precisely why they may need to check.
However, I've long thought it should be available over the counter, at least to 16+ girls and women, because the easier it is to get a very early abortion (which is what the m-a pill causes), they fewer later abortions there will be.

If I recall correctly, technically, the morning-after pill isn't an abortifactant - it prevents egg release, prevents fertilisation, and causes any potentially fertilised embryos to fail to implant. Abortions are the termination of a viable pregnancy, and this pill  prevents a viable pregnancy occuring.  That's not so important an issue in the UK, but in the US and places that are the beneficiaries of US aid that's a critical factor in some of the legislative battles and restrictions on access.

Thing have been recommended in the past by medical institutions, which have been proved not to be safe for everyone.

True.  However, the combined efforts of the medical communities of the world for the past couple of hundred years have led to consistently improving lengths and qualities of life for the world's populace - whilst there's always space for questions to be asked, and for professionals to be keeping an eye on things, when a medical body issues a recommendation unless there's specific data to call their opinion into question I don't see a space for 'yeah, but' - they've accessed the studies, they've consulted with dozens, if not hundreds, of experts.  Is there some SPECIFIC reason to think they're wrong?

O.

[Roses]

If I recall correctly, technically, the morning-after pill isn't an abortifactant - it prevents egg release, prevents fertilisation, and causes any potentially fertilised embryos to fail to implant. Abortions are the termination of a viable pregnancy, and this pill  prevents a viable pregnancy occuring.  That's not so important an issue in the UK, but in the US and places that are the beneficiaries of US aid that's a critical factor in some of the legislative battles and restrictions on access.

True.  However, the combined efforts of the medical communities of the world for the past couple of hundred years have led to consistently improving lengths and qualities of life for the world's populace - whilst there's always space for questions to be asked, and for professionals to be keeping an eye on things, when a medical body issues a recommendation unless there's specific data to call their opinion into question I don't see a space for 'yeah, but' - they've accessed the studies, they've consulted with dozens, if not hundreds, of experts.  Is there some SPECIFIC reason to think they're wrong?

O.

When I read the list side effects I didn't think it was safe to take the pill without consulting a medic first.

It wasn't long ago it was suggested by medics that statins should be given to all people over 50 I think it was, which is crazy. I think that advice is now being reined in as they can cause some people like myself damage.

[Outrider]

When I read the list side effects I didn't think it was safe to take the pill without consulting a medic first.

It wasn't long ago it was suggested by medics that statins should be given to all people over 50 I think it was, which is crazy. I think that advice is now being reined in as they can cause some people like myself damage.

And that's because, with further information available, a small number of side-effects with statins have been identified which means that there is now specific information to use in revising the expert medical opinion, so groups like the Royal College can update their guidance - should I presume that you haven't got any specific reason to think that there's a reason for a medical consultation is necessary before taking the morning after pill?

O.

[Roses]

And that's because, with further information available, a small number of side-effects with statins have been identified which means that there is now specific information to use in revising the expert medical opinion, so groups like the Royal College can update their guidance - should I presume that you haven't got any specific reason to think that there's a reason for a medical consultation is necessary before taking the morning after pill?

O.

Apart from side effects of nausea, vomiting, dizziness, heavy bleeding, from taking the morning after pill,  I have just come across this, which is concerning.

Long-term side effects may include:
While there are no long-term studies to show whether women will be permanently damaged by the Morning After Pill, women who take the Morning After Pill do put themselves at risk for such diseases as cancer from these chemicals being given in such high doses.

[Robbie]

That is a bit vague; it doesn't say what type of cancer or where. I found this:-

https://www.keckmedicine.org/fact-or-fiction-emergency-contraception-increases-cancer-risk-in-women/

The 'morning after' pill has been around a long time and seems fairly safe. One would hope it would only be used once. However it doesn't always work, that would be more worrying to me than a tiny risk of cancer.

So many other things are more carcinogenic, for example there is a strong link between HRT and breast cancer and I can think of four people whom I know who have had breast cancer after being on HRT for a while - two were prescribed it following hysterectomy including oophorectomy, the younger of the two died, the other was OK after treatment and the other two who had it for perimenopausal symptoms and developed breast cancer were and still are alright but it wasn't pleasant to have to go through that treatment.  Not something I would risk.

I agree with you that it's wise to do a bit of research on any proposed drug regime, also to stop taking if there are any dodgy effects. We have some responsibility for our own health after all.

[ProfessorDavey]

That is a bit vague; it doesn't say what type of cancer or where. I found this:-

https://www.keckmedicine.org/fact-or-fiction-emergency-contraception-increases-cancer-risk-in-women/

The 'morning after' pill has been around a long time and seems fairly safe. One would hope it would only be used once. However it doesn't always work, that would be more worrying to me than a tiny risk of cancer.

So many other things are more carcinogenic, for example there is a strong link between HRT and breast cancer and I can think of four people whom I know who have had breast cancer after being on HRT for a while - two were prescribed it following hysterectomy including oophorectomy, the younger of the two died, the other was OK after treatment and the other two who had it for perimenopausal symptoms and developed breast cancer were and still are alright but it wasn't pleasant to have to go through that treatment.  Not something I would risk.

I agree with you that it's wise to do a bit of research on any proposed drug regime, also to stop taking if there are any dodgy effects. We have some responsibility for our own health after all.

The link is about the risks of long term use of the contraceptive pill, not about the one off use of the morning after pill, as they suggest no proper studies have been performed.

But as you point out the issue here is a balancing of risks, even if we are just considering health - the health risk associated with taking the morning after pill (if there are any) balanced against the health risks of a pregnancy (which are myriad and well documented). Add to that the additional risks, possible mental health of an unplanned and unwanted pregnancy and you'd need some pretty major health risks for the morning after pill to make it the more risky option.

[Harrowby Hall]

I can only echo the comments of Robbie and ProfD.

I Googled LR's  complete quotation and came up with a website belonging to the "American Life League", a Roman Catholic organisation at the top of the search results. I read part of the document noted the number of occasions expressions like "new life" occurred. It also suggested that emergency contraception resulted in an increase in ectopic pregnancy. Scaremongering?

[Roses]

Where any medication is concerned it is best to check with your doctor first, imo. Most people will be ok, but if you are like me the side effect out way the benefits.

[ProfessorDavey]

Where any medication is concerned it is best to check with your doctor first, imo. Most people will be ok, but if you are like me the side effect out way the benefits.

For every medication? Blimey doctors are going to be busy.

You don't need to go to a doctor to get information on possible side effects and contra-indications regarding medicines. Every medicine (even a pack of paracetamol) has a detailed information sheet, that lists contra-indications (in other words which people should avoid the drug due to existing conditions or other medications they are taking) along with a list of know side effects, ranging from commonly occurring to rare. So anyone can read the information and decide whether or not to take the medicine - it is their choice.

Now there is a hierarchy for medicines. The most low risk can be bought off the shelf, e.g. in a supermarket (but will still have the information). More high risk are over the counter - in other words you have to ask a pharmacist for them, and usually the pharmacist will ask a few simple questions to ascertain suitability. Finally the most potent and highest risk are prescription only so you need to have seen a doctor to be prescribed. But all contain the information regardless of the route of access.

The discussion is whether the morning after pill should be over the counter (as currently) or off the shelf, as is the suggestion.

[Roses]

For every medication? Blimey doctors are going to be busy.

You don't need to go to a doctor to get information on possible side effects and contra-indications regarding medicines. Every medicine (even a pack of paracetamol) has a detailed information sheet, that lists contra-indications (in other words which people should avoid the drug due to existing conditions or other medications they are taking) along with a list of know side effects, ranging from commonly occurring to rare. So anyone can read the information and decide whether or not to take the medicine - it is their choice.

Now there is a hierarchy for medicines. The most low risk can be bought off the shelf, e.g. in a supermarket (but will still have the information). More high risk are over the counter - in other words you have to ask a pharmacist for them, and usually the pharmacist will ask a few simple questions to ascertain suitability. Finally the most potent and highest risk are prescription only so you need to have seen a doctor to be prescribed. But all contain the information regardless of the route of access.

The discussion is whether the morning after pill should be over the counter (as currently) or off the shelf, as is the suggestion.

At the very least one should have to talk to the pharmacist before being give the pill, but I still think it best to discuss it with the doctor first.

[Walter]

At the very least one should have to talk to the pharmacist before being give the pill, but I still think it best to discuss it with the doctor first.

lr
By the time you get an appointment with the doctor the kid will be just about to start school 😤

[Roses]

lr
By the time you get an appointment with the doctor the kid will be just about to start school 😤

For once I have to agree with you.

[Steve H]

At the very least one should have to talk to the pharmacist before being give the pill, but I still think it best to discuss it with the doctor first.

I think I prefer the considered opinion of the Royal Collage to yours. Sorry.

[Aruntraveller]

I think I prefer the considered opinion of the Royal Collage to yours. Sorry.

Didn't you know LR is a qualified Dr.?

[Walter]

Didn't you know LR is a qualified Dr.?

she has a PhD in " negative vibes" man!

[Roses]

Didn't you know LR is a qualified Dr.?

HA! HA!

[ippy]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-50601735

It is being recommended that the morning after pill should be as easy to obtain as condoms. I am a little concerned about this, especially if young girls can buy the pill if they suspect they might be pregnant. I think they need to see a doctor first, to check how far along they are, before they take it.

I just was wondering if this pill was available some time back maybe in the mid forties? No I suppose not.

Regards, ippy

[Roses]

I just was wondering if this pill was available some time back maybe in the mid forties? No I suppose not.

Regards, ippy

It was first licenced in 1999.