Experts at The University of Nottingham have called for more research into whether systems for accessing emergency contraception are meeting the needs of younger women and those from poorer backgrounds.
The comment piece by Dr Paul Bissell and Professor Claire Anderson, published in today’s Lancet, examines studies that have looked at the effects of women using emergency contraception (EC) on sexual activity, pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
They say that research has shown that there is little evidence that easier access to emergency contraception through pharmacists does not impact on regular contraceptive use or encourage risky behaviour.
However, as well as saying that recent studies should reassure people concerned about the links between EC and sexual morality, the authors call for greater thought to be given to making it easier for younger women and those from lower socio-economic groups to receive emergency contraceptives when needed.
In their comment piece, Dr Bissell and Professor Anderson say that, despite its ‘undisputed safety and efficacy’, widening access to EC to women has been ‘controversial’.
They add: “Some of this controversy is related to ECs ‘anomalous’ position in the family planning repertoire: anomalous because it is used after sex. At the same time, some EC service developments aimed at combating teenage and unwanted pregnancy have been reported on in particularly lurid terms in the media, conflating concerns about sexual morality, inappropriate use of contraception and the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).”
They quote a study (Raine et al) that randomly assigned 2,117 women aged between 15 and 24 either pharmacy access to EC without a prescription, an advanced provision of ECs to keep at home or usual care requiring a visit to a clinic. It found that pregnancy rates and rates of new STIs were comparable in all the groups.