Why are women shamed for taking the morning after pill?

I have taken the MAP 3 times over the last 10 years (all 3 after condoms splitting so I wasn't intending to have unprotected sex). I am glad to say I've never felt judged and the pharmacists I've dealt with have all been professional and helpful. I find it odd that some people still harbour this feeling that women need to be 'punished' for enjoying sex. What is there to gain by forcing a woman to have a baby she doesn't want and possibly would be unable to support? Why, in a time and country where access to emergency contraception is widely available, should we discourage women from using that option? I find it baffling. On one occasion I took the MAP an hour after intercourse- not sure how this makes me irresponsible? Surely I was being very responsible as the MAP has a higher success rate the earlier you take it?!

The first time I took the MAP I was 17. I asked at the counter of my local pharmacy and they fetched the senior pharmacist - who was my old brownie leader!

Tbf she was lovely but the cringe factor was off the scale!

I used the pharmacy in the next big town after that. And both times were because of failed contraceptive. Not that I'd judge. Taking the map is a responsible move if you don't want to get pregnant.

Way back when I was a student, I had friends who used to take the MAP because they thought carrying condoms made them "look easy."

I worried about the healthiness of their attitude to sex and the sexual double standard. I felt saddened at the internalised misogyny behind their decision. I worried about the health implications of repeated use of what were back then huge doses of hormones.

However there were two things I didn't worry about. One, that they wanted to have sex without getting pregnant. The other was them taking responsibility for their fertility (albeit belatedly and possibly not in the most effective way).

I get the distinct impression that for some posters on here, the actual objection is to women having active sex lives outside of a stable relationship in which they intend at some stage to get pregnant.

One woman came in looking for the MAP quite easy going at 5pm...an hour after the intercourse took place

And....

You've posted this as if to shock or make a point but it hasn't worked. Woman took map after sex...yeah, that's pretty much the point.

I just wish there was a pill that you could take after every time you have sex rather than having to always take contraception or hope for the best with condoms.

How do you know their condom didn’t split? How do you know so much about this woman’s circumstances? Why are you judging her for having sex?

How is it not irresponsible? The MAP was used because an hour before, two people decided to have sex unprotected and used the MAP as the first port of call? In that case it is irresponsible. And I haven’t divulged any critical identifying details, calm down.

Accidents happens. Issues happen. But when it’s used in such a blasé way, well I do think it’s feckless

What am I reading on this thread.
Pharmacists stay open out of hours as it’s their actual job, as is issuing emergency contraception.

A woman accessing emergency contraception an hour after sex is a pretty smart woman.

That makes me really iresponsible then! I often have pre-lunch sex on days off and pre-dinner sex. Rarely at night. How irresponsible can a woman be? For goodness sake.

That's a bizarre post Pets. People have sex at all times of day. They have contraceptive failures at all times of day. They do the responsible thing and take steps to ensure this doesn't lead to an unwanted pregnancy at all times of day.

And how would you know those details? Somehow you’ve got involved in gossip about a woman’s private business and are now sharing it on a public forum.

Pets how is that irresponsible? Sounds responsible to me as opposed to hoping for the best. It’s more effective taken sooner. How do you think she should have approached the pharmacy? With guilt and remorse for her slutty behaviour?
If women aren’t able to access MAPs earlier maybe there should be a rethink of how to make them more readily available so as to meet need.

When I first took the MAP, you had to take two pills 12hrs apart and nausea was definitely at the top of the side effects.

I’ve used it since and it’s now only one pill and doesn’t seem to have the same effect. Thank goodness.

I can understand in a way why pharmacists can be funny about it. I know my local has to stay open at Christmas specifically because the rate of requiring the MAP is shocking. One woman came in looking for the MAP quite easy going at 5pm...an hour after the intercourse took place. Some people are really irresponsible.

@confusedfornow
There is no such thing as an unplanned pregnancy, of you have sex and you get pregnant, you planned it.

Why are you ignoring rape?

Mumminmum, I think the dosage of the MAP has changed over the years

That's right. Vomiting from it used to be very common but now it's unusual.

Mumminmum, I think the dosage of the MAP has changed over the years. It used to be a super-strength dose of oestrogen enough to drop an elephant in its (22-month-long) tracks, and it definitely made me puke my guts up. Neither time I've used it has the puking been related to alcohol, both occasions it was definitely the MAP. (There may also be differences in individual physiology at play too - I've never been able to tolerate contraceptive pills either).

I hope those of you who have experienced snarky comments from the shop staff have all complained to the shop afterwards.

A coworker said how impractical it was that the MAP makes you so nauseated. I looked at her and said "What are you talking about? I have never felt nauseated after taking the MAP". She, however, claimed that it wasn't only her experience, but also that of several of her friends. Thing is: while I have used the MAP a couple of times it has always been related with having a stomach bug and realizing that my contraceptive pill most likely hadn't stayed inside me long enough to work. We deducted, that the nausea is probably related to the drinking alcohol instead. So saying that the MAP causes nausea is like saying that if you fall asleep with your boots on, you'll wake up with a headache

Re my post above. I’m expecting name calling from at least one person.

I would say if you have (consenting) sex you are planning on having a nice time, not necessarily planning to get pregnant! For goodness sake!

I work hard, enjoy a healthy fun sex life and I rely on and regularly buy condoms; l always have some in my handbag. I am not saying this as a holier than thou comment about the morning after pill. The filthy looks you get from some shop staff at the counter is dreadful, especially if you are not buying anything else as well. It’s all part of the women should not be having sex attitude that still prevails.

I don’t know how a lot of tgese people arrived in this world!

confused yes you certainly are.

I am 53. Doubt I'm planning on a pregnancy. My dh is not going to be happy when I tell him that we will have to stop.
What a ridiculous statement.
To answer the question op it's misogyny.

I'm not sure sometimes if an age thing comes into play. I had to take it twice once as a student...once because I realised that I had grabbed the empty box of pills, on my way to visit my BF, and only found out later on. I got such a grilling by the doctor, who then sent me to the nurse once he'd signed off who proceeded to also lecture me, and then watched to make sure I took it in front of her.

The second time was with my DH when the condom split, the doctor (same doctor as 8 years previously) laughed, said these things happen and just gave me a prescription.

The morality aspect of it is bizarre and archaic. There should be no judgement from the dr or pharmacist, no apology or explanation from the woman, there should be nothing but facts as to the efficacy of the pill and factual replies to any questions. It’s a medical transaction. Can you imagine being congratulated for buying a box of condoms?

Yup,I used it twice when condom broke or wasn't on properly. The second time (male) pharmacist made some snarky comment,I think implying I'd been on a drunken one-night stand. I hadn't, I was with bf of six months, but even if I had been on a ONS, it was none of his fucking business and no one's right to judge.