Pro & con: should minors have over-the-counter access to Plan B emergency contraception?(Opinion)

YES Teens are one of many vulnerable groups when it comes to unintended pregnancies. Each year, there are 800,000 teen pregnancies in the United States and most of these are unintended.

Increased use of Plan B--the progestin-only emergency contraceptive for which the Food and Drug Administration is currently considering a switch to over-the-counter status--can reduce the number of unintended pregnancies up to 50% by some estimates.

While it might be ideal for a physician to meet with and counsel a teen-aged woman about regular contraception and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) during a visit for emergency contraception, it is, after all, an emergency--often on a weekend or a night--when she needs it, and we are not always available to see her during these times. If we restrict her ability to obtain emergency contraception when it is most likely to be effective, then we risk compromising her health and well-being with an unintended pregnancy. Pregnancy itself is not without risk, especially for a young woman. Plan B offers a safe and effective way to prevent those unwanted and unnecessary risks.

We are all deeply concerned about the rates of STIs in adolescents, but restricting access to emergency contraception is not the answer. Currently, most teenagers do not seek medical contraceptive services for at least a year after they become sexually active. There are no data to tell us that removing the prescription requirement for emergency contraception will further deter these young women from obtaining a yearly preventive health care visit.

In fact, a switch to over-the-counter status for emergency contraception would provide an educational opportunity. For instance, the package insert for emergency contraception might include information about the risk of STI during unprotected intercourse, as well as a suggestion that the patient follow up with a health care provider.

Plan B is also safe and easy to use. There is no evidence that a teenager will be unable to use the medication correctly. There are no data to show that even frequent use, which is not recommended, would be harmful.

We all wish to encourage responsible sexuality. However, contraceptive failures occur, mistakes are made, and teenage women may not always have control over their own sexuality. Pregnancy should not be a "price" that they have to pay.