Mums saying NO to morning after pill shame

There is such a variation across the country with regard to the the services offered to women via pharmacies, depending on what has been commissioned by your local authority. So in some areas anyone can get it free, whilst in other areas only if you are under 25, and in others you might have to pay.

Also, there are two different MAPs, one can be taken up to 5 days later, and is more effective than the other if some time has passed. Again, whether you can get this drug (ellaOne) depends on your local authority - some only commission pharmacies to give the cheaper drug, others commission both, and others will give anyone the bog standard drug, but only ellaOne to under 25s. It really is a 'postcode lottery'.

I'd also suggest local SH clinics as an option to get the MAP, or have the copper coil fitted which is the most effective emergency contraception.

Completely ignoring the PGD element of this and it's someone's professional reg at risk.

What's invasive or inappropriate about the questions? Have you read the pharmacy guidelines which include rational for each question? They PROTECT women and allow pharmacists to appropriately prescribe.

If people want to buy it that's fine, it's all on them. If they want it for free then a healthcare professional needs to ascertain that it's suitable. That's the only way PGDs remain legal. Otherwise say goodbye to them and goodbye to being able to be given it.

You're also mixing up EC with MAP. Emergency contraception includes the coil.

MAP does have exclusion criteria which pharmacists need to assess for.

Oh. When I read the OP, I didn't realise that 'campaign' and 'movement' referred to an advertising campaign until I clicked on your latest link, OP.
I appreciate the thread, though. It's been interesting to read other women's experiences over being prescribed the MAP in general.

They don't make you swallow it on the spot as a punishment, its to stop people getting it for others or selling it on. Same with methadone, which also has a street value.

So the MAP is comparable with addictive street drugs like methodone? And this whole swallow it in front of me ethos is applied with lots of drugs, that compare with the MAP? Men frequently have to step into the booth to swallow their Viagra etc?

It's pretty obvious why the map is particularly susceptible to people asking on behalf of others. It's a potent medicine, they can't just hand it over no questions asked.

There are no restrictions for the medical eligibility of who can use ECPs.
Any woman or girl of reproductive age may need emergency contraception to avoid an unwanted pregnancy. There are no absolute medical contraindications to the use of emergency contraception. There are no age limits for the use of emergency contraception.
An advance supply of ECPs may be given to a woman to ensure that she will have them available when needed and can take as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse.
Side effects from the use of ECPs are similar to those of oral contraceptive pills, such as nausea and vomiting, slight irregular vaginal bleeding, and fatigue. Side effects are not common, they are mild, and will normally resolve without further medications.

From the WHO key facts page about emergency contraception

In 2000, the head of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommended that “every woman store [a packet of the ECP] in her medicine cabinet”.

We need to stop treating this safe, necessary and important drug as if it's crack cocaine, creating humiliating and discriminatory practices of supervised administration, invasive and inappropriate questioning, and shocking pricing structures.
It's entirely about shaming women and utterly inconsistent with the protocol for other drugs.

'oh its only a tenner/fiver if i pop to the chemist in the morning

The only time I've heard this has been from men who think it's an excuse to not wear a condom. I've never heard anything similar from women who by and large don't enjoy playing Russian roulette with their health and are aware that if anything goes wrong they will literally be left holding the baby.

It does make me think that the reason men put in absurd blocks is because they know what they'd be like if they were responsible for contraception and hold women to the same low standards.

Omg, don't forget the shaming of young women getting pregnancy tests! I bought one for a cousin once, I was about 17? But the lady serving was so awful, and from that day fourth treated me like a criminal!? She would follow me round the store, as being a young slut was also likely to be a thief too

I took it about 14 years ago. I went to a local pharmacist, a woman, who had a booth for customers to talk in. I wasn't made to feel irresponsible and wasn't judged. It cost £20+. But at the time, I thought, 20 quid or 1000s on an unwanted child, bargain.

They don't make you swallow it on the spot as a punishment, its to stop people getting it for others or selling it on. Same with methadone, which also has a street value.

It's pretty obvious why the map is particularly susceptible to people asking on behalf of others. It's a potent medicine, they can't just hand it over no questions asked.

I've recently started watching on demand tv with adverts and I saw the Ad for MAP and was surprised that they were advertising it

I took it twice within a week BUUUUT I had already bloody ovulated so it was a pointless and expensive (£20-30 each) exercise. Had an awkward pharmacist chat to me (with DP) in a side room the first time and really didn't relish going back to him when there was another accident, thankfully it was someone else the second time.

I don't have regular periods but I wish that I was told just how ineffective it could be.

My sister was refused it some years ago as the GP was Catholic and disagreed with it
she had to walk miles across town in the snow having no money for bus fare and not wanting our parents to know.
I went to another GP in the practice and got it with no issues or judgement.

Does the success rate come into it? I mean, if you have already ovulated it's useless. It's impossible to tell when we have ovulated and most likely dont track when. So if it becomes 'oh its only a tenner/fiver if i pop to the chemist in the morning' it increases risk of pregnancy and sti's. And the morning after pill would be slammed for being misleading. I say this and I have taken it before.

I've always had great experiences getting the morning after pill apart from the price. It's always been about £30!

Actually one time when I was 18 and went to get the MAP with my then BF we did have an awkward conversation about cycles and fertility. The pharmacist explained she wouldn't waste our money by selling us the morning after pill as I can possibly get pregnant on the tail end of my period.

I got it from a GP years ago. I got a proper telling off and she also said "no sex for six weeks". Which was utter bollocks.

I think it was more about making me feel like a silly little girl than making any sense. I look back and like to think I wouldn't accept being treated like that ever again. I think I actually apologised!

She's obviously not very bright either considering preventing a baby is much cheaper for the NHS

Nurses like that have no place being a nurse.

I went for it once, I was about 23. The nurse was only stopped short of wagging her finger at me whilst she told me off, said she could 'only do this once, I don't want to see you here again for this' and said something about the cost being a pressure on the NHS and how it's only a last resort- like I'd just gone and got one for a day out!

barac pharmacist friends have said that it's because it has been given as a patient group directive. The pharmacist has assessed that it is right for you, based on your circumstances, has given council, and by law has to record exactly who took it and when. has a responsibility to ensure it's taken by them. It's different if it's bought. There's no onus on the pharmacist as they're not involved in prescribing it.

You mention 'giving it to someone else'. I used to work at Brook Centre and there used to be a LOT of people who came in for other people to get MAP. I'm sure you can see how this would be dangerous. Or misused.

The MAP can be given to someone as young as 13 via PGD so I do think it's important to ensure they've taken it.

That's how it was explained to me anyway. And I can see where they're coming from. I don't PGD medicine unless I know the patient I've assessed it as being fit for is the one taking it as another patient could have contraindications that prove fatal.

I guess it's a tricky one because it is rather paternalistic but a lot of things in healthcare are for good reason.

We had a mishap with condoms once and I went to Asda early before 9am as I was panicking, pharmacist refused to sell me it because of his religion, to say I was fuming is an understatement. I went to get a coil the same night and told the nurse about what had happened. She said she was going to report him

I had to take it a couple of times. Two completely different experiences.

First time, arrived at a closed clinic having been directed by a hospital reception as apparently they didnt stock it but seemed to enjoy making it hard for me tbh

Lady at the clinic absolutely lovely I answered questions and she gave me pill and some more condoms.

Second time another family planning clinic who treated me like an inconvenience . Were plain rude and made a point of telling the waiting room I was over 21.How the hell was I supposed to know that particular day was an under 21 day. It was hardly advertised. Gave it to me however made me take the first one there and then for added humiliation.

They have no idea what's happened to the women who show up. People tell all sorts of lies to cover up what really happened to them. Some of which will he bloody horrific so some compassion and less judgement would go a long way.

Wtf is the "free if we watch you take it" for?
Because women are untrustworthy?
Because an extra level of humiliation is warranted?
Because if you took it away you might change your mind?
Or give it to someone else?
Because we might swallow wrong without supervision?
Do they make you prove its been swallowed by sticking your tongue out like so many movies of people wrongly incarcerated in mental institutions?
What?
What?

Why does this humiliating 'free if you submit to supervision like the naughty repentant girl, pay for the privilege of dignity' two tier pricing system exist?

I went to Tesco after an accident with DP (split condom) - since I'm pushing 40, and with 2 kids already I just strode up and asked for it in a clear voice - was happy to answer questions there and then (we were late to pick kids up from MIL), but the young pharmacist seemed more embarrassed than me, and ushered me into a little store room to answer the questions and then charged me about 35 quid.

I have to say the experience of the pill itself wasn't very pleasant, so we've been extra careful since!

I went to a chemist and was told I was too fat for one pill and needed two but she wasn't licensed to prescribe two. Great I thought I'm going to end up with an unwanted child because of you're insurance?!

Went to the other chemist (same company) who said the other pharmacist was wrong and I could have the one tablet?! Wasted an hour and a half of my life.