Little is known about emergency contraception among women and Inpes, the National Institute for Prevention and Health Education, is launching an information campaign.
The need is urgent: in 2010 among young women aged 18 to 24, nearly one in two pregnancies was unplanned. Forgetting the pill, condom accident or even simply lack of contraception, these elements would be involved. But solutions exist with relatively long deadlines to avoid an unwanted pregnancy. But too few women really know them.
It is, for example, the morning-after pill which has only tomorrow’s name, right?
Women actually have not 24 hours but 120 hours, or 5 days depending on the method used. They have 3 days after unprotected intercourse, i.e. 72 hours, to take a pill delivered anonymously and free of charge, also to minors, in pharmacies, with or without a prescription, but also in school infirmaries and planning centers.
If the 3 day deadline has passed, there are still 2 other solutions:
– a pill dispensed in pharmacies, but this time on prescription
– or, as a last resort, the copper IUD which, of course, must be fitted by a doctor, but has the advantage of remaining in place and becoming an excellent durable contraception. While the other methods are not, contrary to what some still believe.
And does it work well?
Yes, but certainly less than regular contraception. However, the sooner it is used, the more effective this emergency contraception is. I would just like to reiterate that these methods that are effective for unwanted pregnancies are not effective against sexually transmitted diseases.
But why is this campaign primarily aimed at young people between the ages of 18 and 24? Unintended pregnancies also concern other age groups!
Every woman can face the risk of unwanted pregnancy at one time or another. When in doubt, such as forgetting a single pill, or when the condom breaks, it is often torn between denial and reality. But today, there is no question of waiting like their mother for the arrival of the next period: women can avoid relying on chance and can contact a health professional.
And they have 5 days to do so after unprotected or poorly protected intercourse. A timeframe that is not well known because, as I told you, between 18 and 24 years old, almost one in two pregnancies was unwanted when it occurred. But above all, there is a figure that shivers down your spine: in France one in three voluntary termination of pregnancy is performed in women of that age.
.
