Emergency contraception refers to “catch-up” contraception that can be used by women in an emergency situation within 3 to 5 days of unprotected or poorly protected sex to prevent an unplanned pregnancy. The sooner it is taken after unprotected intercourse, the greater its effectiveness. Available in pharmacies without a medical prescription, it is dispensed free of charge and anonymously to minors in emergency situations.
However, in France, one in three pregnancies is unplanned and half of these pregnancies result in an abortion.
One of the measures envisaged to increase the use of emergency contraception and to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies is by prescribing the emergency contraceptive pill (often called the “morning after pill”) in advance, so that it can be used immediately when needed.
The High Authority for Health was therefore contacted by the Directorate General for Health in order to assess the relevance and the risks of prescribing this pill in advance.
Morning-after pill: on a case-by-case basis
If the High Authority for Health recommends considering a prescription in advance of the emergency contraception pill, it refuses that this prescription be made on a systematic basis. The health authorities emphasize that this prescription must be done “on a case-by-case basis and in certain situations. It is difficult to characterize these situations in a precise and exhaustive manner, but the following situations can nevertheless be cited ”declares the Haute Autorité de santé: women with difficulties in accessing emergency contraception (for example, difficulties in accessing emergency contraception) at a pharmacy, financial difficulties), women traveling abroad and women using contraceptive method The preservativeor other less effective methods.
Remember that two types of emergency contraception pills are available in France: levonorgestrel (progestin) and ulipristal acetate (progesterone receptor modulator). The first has been available in pharmacies without a prescription since 1999, while the second, more recent, is subject to medical prescription.
