en-us Copyright 2008 - All Rights Reserved. Mon, 23 Nov 2009 22:48:50 GMT 15 By Hannah Briggs
The Food and Drug Administration announced in late April that the Plan B morning-after contraceptive will be sold to women as young as 17 years old without a prescription for the first time. It is a sensible move that adheres to the order of a federal judge based on evidence showing that girls this young will use it safely. According to a recent government report, birth rates are rising for teens ages 15-19. More minors are becoming sexually active which will lead to less abortion and pregnancy if contraceptive is taken effectively. The new ruling will make it easier for minors to avoid costly consequences for unprotected sex. Students should be able to buy the “morning-after” contraceptive without a prescription and use it as prevention against pregnancy. “It’s good for girls who experience situations such as rape, or for those that are sexually active,” said freshman student Hind Berji. With the U.S. having the highest number of teen pregnancies in the industrialized world, the morning after pill would be an immediate help to those who don’t want to have an abortion and are not ready for a baby. Statistics from The Alan Guttmacher Institute show that most teens have sex for the first time at age 17. Opposing the age decrease though, many think it will cause more teens to have unprotected sex. Many are saying that the high doses of contraceptive can cause a number of side effects including blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes not suitable for minors. If taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, a morning after pill can prevent pregnancy in most. The contraceptive will prevent the fertilized egg from becoming embedded on the lining of the womb. Teenagers should be able to obtain the pill without a prescription because of the need for fast access to the drug. Although this will not be a cure to teen pregnancy and abortion, it may be a start. Pharmacies and stores should offer the contraceptive to 17 year olds. This ruling should be made a law so teenagers that go through pregnancy not just from unprotected sex but from circumstances such as rape can obtain the pill. Officials say it may be months or years before ruling takes place. The FDA also added that they are trying to appeal for the ruling to be made for ages lower such as 16. ]]> Thu, 28 May 2009 15:53:41 GMT