I have avoided talking about this, because I know it has been discussed to death. However, I was finally able to pin down why I am not a fan. Ivy was having far too much fun calling me on my hypocrisy. I am a Libertarian and do not believe in a nanny state. However I have misgivings about Plan B.
The concept of Plan B is fine with me, I get it. It is supposed to be safe, effective back-up birth control.
I have endometriosis; consequently over the years I have been on hormones of many kinds and done who knows what kinds of damage to my body trying to fix the problem, so this is a sore spot for me. Progesterone only birth control pills are only available via prescription. Mostly, it is to force women to have their yearly pap smears, but it is also to screen against certain health conditions. Birth control pills are not safe for everyone. Birth control pills are also about 95-97% effective.
Plan B® should be taken within 3 days (72 hours) of unprotected sex and can reduce the risk of pregnancy by 89%. But the sooner you take it the more effective it will be.
Condoms are 98% effective when used properly and help prevent STDs. I will not be surprised if there is a bump (notice I did not say spike) in the rate of STD transmission over the next few years. Perhaps it is a good thing the HPV vaccine is also being released. I have this nagging doubt that there are plenty of idiots out there who will not understand that Plan B is for when the condom breaks, not because it is Valentine’s Day and Cindy-Lou wants to make it extra “special.”
I do not see Plan B as the panacea some do. Ivy called me on my hypocrisy and I have been trying to figure out how to come to terms with it. If the warning labels are clear, I will try to quit worrying about women causing harm to their bodies by misusing this option. After all, I have never been on a soapbox about smoking or drinking, so why should I worry about this?
Lastly, I guess the woman of WaPo editorial fame will not be able to blame Bush for her next abortion. Maybe some good has been done.
1 comment so far ↓
I’m glad to see that you give such subjects a great deal of thought rather than dismissing them out of hand, as many do. I’m hoping warnings will be on the packaging as well, that way nobody could sue and get Plan B off the market. 🙂
Leave a Comment