Despite wider access to the tablets day after, there will be any restrictions on the acquisition of this contraceptive // photo.Tbel Abuseridze, UnsplashFrom the beginning of May, ‘day after’ tablets are to be subject to a medical prescription. Extending the availability of this emergency contraceptive means involves discussing the legitimacy of government decisions, but besides the operation of the pills themselves. In this way, there are many false statements in the public space concerning ‘day after’ tablets. What is the fact and what is the myth?
The “day after” tablets are controversial. Is that right? Definitely not. possibly many fears arise from deficiency of information. However, it seems that in any environments these controversy stems from the deficiency of the desire to grow their cognition and to take everything "to peasant reason". Conservatives mention to ‘day after’ pills as early-porn drugs and indicate that they are dangerous for women under 18. All of this is not true. So what is the ‘day after’ tablet and what is known about it?
Firstly, it is simply a means of emergency contraception, not a means of abortion. Therefore, it should be utilized as shortly as possible after the end of sexual intercourse, during which another methods of contraception failed. The highest efficacy of specified a preparation (regardless of the active substance) is achieved erstwhile taken up to 24 hours after the sexual act. The tablet ‘day after’, contrary to what any say, will not work erstwhile it has already been fertilised. So it's not an early-onset. These pills do not let the release of the egg, which is needed to inseminate. Therefore, if you take specified a tablet while you are pregnant, it cannot harm the foetus. Drinking alcohol or smoking is worse.
However, it is worth remembering that “day after” pills are emergency contraception. What does that mean? simply put, this is only to be utilized in exceptional situations. So it cannot replace classical methods of contraception, i.e. condoms or birth control tablets. This is due to the fact that these medicines contain a advanced dose of hormones, which, with frequent usage (more than erstwhile during the same menstrual cycle) exposes to hormonal disorders than regular contraception.
In addition, like any medicine, the “day after” pill has side effects that, contrary to appearances, do not happen frequently. Symptoms that may happen after taking specified tablets include dizziness, nausea, menstrual cycle disorders, lower abdominal pain, fatigue, breast pain, temper swings and vomiting. If vomiting occurs within 2 hours of taking the pill, it is advisable to contact a doctor. You may request to take a second dose.
Among right-wing politicians there is frequently thesis that "day after" pills will be utilized by women, teenagers or older ones like candy. This is far from true. The availability of these drugs to a greater degree than so far will not make them abruptly buy respective items. 1 specified tablet costs about 50 to over 100 PLN. So it's not a tiny expense, especially for a teenager. The costs of private consultation with the doctor who will issue the prescription must now be borne. There is this anticipation within the NFZ, but as you know, then you gotta wait a bit, and in the case of these tablets time is on the weight of gold. This is, of course, to change by means of a regulation to come into force from 1 May. The prescription for the ‘day after’ pill will be available to pharmacists, which will improve the usage of medicines. Nevertheless, there will be further restrictions – women will be able to usage the anticipation to issue specified a prescription no more than erstwhile all 30 days. In addition, it will be a pilot programme, which means that not all pharmacy will be able to get a pharmaceutical prescription. This anticipation will only appear at the points that will join the programme.
Another allegation, even more to the thought of the law than to the ‘day after’ tablets themselves, concerns the anticipation of women from 15 years of age to take this preparation. There is simply a fear that these medicines are dangerous for people under the age of 18. However, studies indicate that there are no differences in safety and efficacy in subjects under the age of 17 and in women aged at least 18 years. The European Medicines Agency recommended the availability of EllaOne without a prescription in 2014 and the medicine itself was authorised in the European Union as early as 2009. In addition, WHO besides commented on the safety of day after tablets for people under 18. This organisation indicated that there are no medical contraindications to the usage of this method of contraception and that there are no age restrictions in this case.
In the end, the "day after" pills are not as terrible as any environments or politicians paint them. Of course, it is simply a pharmacological measurement to be utilized with caution. Nevertheless, it should not origin so much controversy. It so seems that in addition to legislative solutions, it would be useful to have better sexual education or, at least, to inform people about the action of specified emergency contraception.
OLIC Olimpia
