Preventing Pregnancy Victims have many fears and concerns after a sexual assault. One profound fear is that they may have become pregnant as a result of the rape. According to Felicia H. Stewart, MD and James Trussell, PhD, 25,000 females became pregnant in the United States as a result of rape in 1998. If those women had received a simple medication, only 3,000 women would have become pregnant. This tragic outcome can easily be prevented using a medication called emergency contraception (EC). What is EC? Emergency contraception is high dose birth control pills that can be used after a sexual assault or unprotected intercourse to prevent pregnancy. The two forms used most commonly after a sexual assault are progestin-only pills, sold as Plan B®, or combined estrogen and progestin pills. Plan B® is the most effective EC medication. Larger doses of certain brands of birth control pills can also be used as EC. Sometimes people call EC the "morning after pill," but this is a misnomer because the pills can be taken immediately as well as up to 120 hours after a sexual assault. It is important to take the first dose of emergency contraception as quickly as possible after an assault. The second dose should be taken 12 hours after the first dose. With Plan B®, both doses can be taken immediately, thus saving the victim from having to remember to take the second dose. How does EC work? EC only works before a pregnancy begins. Pregnancy is medically defined as when a fertilized egg implants in the uterus. Like regular birth control pills, EC can prevent pregnancy by delaying ovulation or preventing fertilization. Newer evidence indicates that EC may not interfere with implantation. Emergency contraception does not cause an abortion. It is not the same as RU-486 (mifepristone), the abortion medication. How can I get EC? If you are age 18 or older:
EC is available over-the-counter (OTC) for ages 18 and over! If you cannot obtain EC through a hospital or clinic, Plan B® can be purchased without a prescription by those 18 years of age and older. Plan B® has to be obtained at the pharmacy counter. Those 17 and younger cannot purchase EC OTC; a prescription is still needed. Here are some things to keep in mind regarding Plan B® OTC:
For more information on VCAP go to www.pccd.state.pa.us or call your local rape crisis center. If you are age 17 or under:
For more information on VCAP go to www.pccd.state.pa.us or call your local rape crisis center. How can I learn more about EC? For more information on EC, check out the websites: PA Department of Health’s brochure
titled, “Emergency Contraception for Sexual Assault Survivors.” This
brochure is offered in several languages. http://ec.Princeton.edu Read PCAR's Position Statement on EC for rape victims. Outside of Pennsylvania… A few states require emergency department personnel to provide EC to rape victims. Some states allow pharmacists to give EC without requiring them to contact a physician first. Plan B® is available for purchase OTC throughout the United States by those 18 years of age and older (see info above). For information about EC access outside of Pennsylvania, contact the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals 1-202-466-3825, or MergerWatch at www.mergerwatch.org. |
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