Media Center: Press Release

PRCH releases updated resource for physicians on March 21, Back Up Your Birth Control Day

New York, NY—In conjunction with Back Up Your Birth Control Day, Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health (PRCH) will release a revised edition of its popular resource on emergency contraception (EC). Emergency Contraception: A Practitioner's Guide is a laminated card providing doctors with essential information about emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs). The card, which is sized to fit in a lab coat pocket, gives doctors details about the efficacy of ECPs, potential side effects, follow-up, care and availability of Plan B (the only dedicated product currently sold). The practitioner's guide also features a table listing 19 oral contraceptives that can be used as ECPs if Plan B is not available. As well as summarizing information about ECPs, the guide lists vital resources on EC, from medical texts on contraception to websites and phone numbers women can call for information about EC.

Dr. David Grimes, an internationally renowned leader in the field of contraceptive research, notes that the current prescription-only status of EC creates a need for a guide to prescribing ECPs: "With the FDA continuing to stonewall on over-the-counter emergency contraception, women in most states still must rely on clinicians for access to this safe, effective medicine. The practitioner's guide should be a valuable resource." Dr. Grimes was part of a committee of experts in contraceptive research who helped PRCH update the guide, along with Dr. Carrie Cwiak, Dr. James Trussell, and Dr. Carolyn Westhoff.

Dr. Yael Swica, a family medicine doctor with a specialty in family planning, agrees that there is a need for this guide: "Any doctor who sees women of reproductive age should be ready to write a prescription for emergency contraception. If a condom breaks, or a woman has unprotected sex, she needs to know that EC is available to prevent an unplanned pregnancy. PRCH's card helps every doctor prescribe emergency contraceptive pills with confidence."

Each year, around three million unintended pregnancies occur in the United States, half of which could be prevented by widespread use of emergency contraception. ECPs provide a back-up form of birth control if a condom breaks or a woman has unplanned or unwanted sex. Consisting of two doses of the hormones used in oral contraceptives, ECPs are a safe and effective method of preventing pregnancy. ECPs can work up to 120 hours after unprotected intercourse, but are most effective if taken within 12 hours.

Emergency Contraception: A Practitioner's Guide is available on PRCH's website.

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