The morning after pill should be easier to obtain.

[Roses]

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.

[Gordon]

Presumably though, since the report is by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the medical aspects will have been looked at carefully, and since it is the morning after pill then they won't be 'far on', and may not even be pregnant at all.

[Nearly Sane]

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.

Why do you think it's called the morning after pill?

[Steve H]

Why do you think it's called the morning after pill?

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.

[Roses]

My concern is that there might be a chemical in the morning after pill which could be damaging to someone's health due to a medical condition they might have. A young girl might be so anxious about terminating her pregnancy she might not read the instructions properly. I might be talking off the top of my head having never seen the pill, or know anyone who has actually taken it.

[Nearly Sane]

My concern is that there might be a chemical in the morning after pill which could be damaging to someone's health due to a medical condition they might have. A young girl might be so anxious about terminating her pregnancy she might not read the instructions properly. I might be talking off the top of my head having never seen the pill, or know anyone who has actually taken it.

That's an argument for having no over the counter medicines. As Gordon notes it is the recommendation of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

[Roses]

That's an argument for having no over the counter medicines. As Gordon notes it is the recommendation of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

Even though they have recommended it, I wonder if it has been well thought out. I suppose I am rather prejudiced about some medical decisions just lately as  a couple could have severely damaged my husband health, or actually killed him, if I hadn't been on the ball and questioned them.

[Nearly Sane]

Even though they have recommended it, I wonder if it has been well thought out. I suppose I am rather prejudiced about some medical decisions just lately as  a couple could have severely damaged my husband health, or actually killed him, if I hadn't been on the ball and questioned them.

So you take a case which you have detailed knowledge of and compare that to something that you have virtually no knowledge of where you are questioning the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

[Roses]

So you take a case which you have detailed knowledge of and compare that to something that you have virtually no knowledge of where you are questioning the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

I am of the opinion it is always best to question everything where one's health is concerned.

[Nearly Sane]

I am of the opinion it is always best to question everything where one's health is concerned.

So what is your question for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists? And have you read the report?

[Roses]

So what is your question for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists? And have you read the report?

I would be asking about the side effects of the pill, and whether they could damage vulnerable women. For example it can cause a lot of bleeding and if you are anaemic or have other blood conditions that might be a problem.

[Nearly Sane]

I would be asking about the side effects of the pill, and whether they could damage vulnerable women. For example it can cause a lot of bleeding and if you are anaemic or have other blood conditions that might be a problem.

And have you read the report? Because maybe that's where you need to start.

[Roses]

And have you read the report? Because maybe that's where you need to start.

Of course I read it, just as I have looked up the side effects of the pill, which I thought were concerning for some people.

[Nearly Sane]

Of course I read it, just as I have looked up the side effects of the pill, which I thought were concerning for some people.

Can you provide a link  to the report from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists?

[Roses]

Can you provide a link  to the report from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists?

I did in my first post.

[Nearly Sane]

I did in my first post.

That's a link to a BBC article about the report from Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, not to the actual report.

[Roses]

That's a link to a BBC article about the report from Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, not to the actual report.

YE GODS!!!! The report itself is probably not available to the general public, but I assume the salient points have been published on-line, but that is why I am asking questions.

[Nearly Sane]

YE GODS!!!!

If you want to know what was considered in the report from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, then you need to read that report, not an article on the BBC about it.

[Roses]

If you want to know what was considered in the report from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, then you need to read that report, not an article on the BBC about it.

I refer you to my amended post.

[Nearly Sane]

I refer you to my amended post.

Which just confirms that you have no idea of what the report considers but were reacting purely off a BBC article on it. If you want to see whether any questions are covered, you need to read that report, and you admit you have made no effort to even find it.

[Robbie]

This is probably what you want. It's long winded and you have to plough through a few pages to get to emergency contraception but it's there.

http://events4healthcare.com/fsrh/webinars/emergency-contraception/

Also found this from the NHS, it's a few years old but does talk about possible side effects:-
https://www.nhs.uk/news/medication/new-5-day-morning-after-pill-in-promiscuity-claims/

I have heard it doesn't always work, depends on time of ovulation. However I do believe it should be available over the counter.

[Roses]

Which just confirms that you have no idea of what the report considers but were reacting purely off a BBC article on it. If you want to see whether any questions are covered, you need to read that report, and you admit you have made no effort to even find it.

I did try and find it, but just kept coming up with the media reports. I looked up the side effects of the pill on-line, which I as I said were rather concerning.

Anyway if the pill is sold over the counter,  we shall have to see if any health problems ensue, I hope my concerns are not borne out.

[Stranger]

YE GODS!!!! The report itself is probably not available to the general public...

This is probably what you want. It's long winded and you have to plough through a few pages to get to emergency contraception but it's there.

Moderatornon working link removed

There's a link in the BBC article to the Royal College page with a link to the actual report: Better for women (pdf)

Robbie, you can't link to a file you've downloaded, most people don't have access to your computer.

How do you people survive in the 21st century... 

[Robbie]

Ha! Good point. I just wasn't thinking. I've now modified, if that still isn't right I'll emigrate  .

[Steve H]

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.