Why are women shamed for taking the morning after pill?

It's called "responsability".

You cannot get pregnant accidentially. You have to have sex first, and you can't do that by accident.

If you're a fully functioning adult, and capable of taking responsibility for your actions, then abortion wouldn't be a reality. You would simply accept that no form of contraception is 100% effective, and that every time you have sex, you risk getting pregnant. If you're not mature enough to take on the responsibility of raising a child, then you're not mature enough to be having sex in the first place.

The stigma is related to the morality of the situation. That the woman lacked the responsibility to accept the consequences of her actions.

I've had to take it before and was taken into the private booth to chat and she left to get it. All was well until I heard the chemist talking loudly to her colleague in the place debating which one to give me. In a packed area. Having said that, there was no judgement in the booth. Just the mortification of leaving the booth to collect the prescription at the desk.

God I remember this from my student days.

Condom broke. Took the MAP. Was (not surprisingly) puking my guts up, and the cleaner in my hall of residence said did I want her to get the college nurse? I said no, it's fine, don't worry, I know what's causing it, it'll pass in a few hours. She went and got the nurse anyway, who then gave 19 year old me this really humiliating bollocking - all because I was doing the responsible thing taking remedial steps after my planned contraception failed.

It's fucking shite. And even fucking shiter (if that's a word) that that these medieval attitudes still hold sway over 30 years later.

Had to take it once in my wilder days. It was a really positive experience for me. The pharmacist was non-judgemental and professional....ensured I had some privacy for a chat about things.....he asked if anyone was forcing me to take it, if I needed support and what not. Also gave me the number for our family planning unit so I could get some perm contraception sorted (was in the next day for an IUD).

Thought it was a bit weird to have to take the tablet in front of the pharmacist....but I understand why.
Interested in what the previous poster said....the first thing I said to the NHS helpline was, "I'm sooooo sorry and embarassed....!! But it's out of hours and I need emergency contraception!!"
Also felt some guilt because it was free.....I didn't have to pay.....I insisted.....but the NHS covered the cost.....which I was uncomfortable with xx

Oh, and the nature of emergency contraception implies that you are

a) negligent in not having already sorted out contraception.

b) reckless in not using your contraception accurately/carefully/properly

c) 'wanton' and unable to control your sexual urges and, as we all know, women who can't control their sexual urges are a threat to society...

I've taken it a few times. I always use contraception but, just sometimes, I want extra reassurance!

I've never been shamed for it but did get a bit of a raised eyebrow and a look when I rather more proud of myself for having had sex than I think they were expecting me to be when answering the questions.

I'd just come out of a 12 year sexless marriage - I honestly never thought it would happen again!

I refuse to be shamed for being a sexually active adult and I bury down any embarrassment or discomfort I feel. I am not apologising to anyone for taking care of myself, my body and my family.

It's because women should be ashamed about anything to do with them having sex. I think it really is that simple.

I think you’re bang on. I dish emergency contraception out every day in my job, I think another factor is that there still is a misconception about what it actually does. I regularly have women and sadly/scarily other HCP’s refer to it as “ the abortion pil” ( not that anyone should ever feel ashamed to access termination of a pregnancy) but I do think this plays a part.

IME experiences Almost Every woman who needs emergency contraception always starts by saying “ I’m really sorry but I need ....” as if they are at fault and have been naughty.

Almost every woman I refer for termination starts the convoversation “ I feel awful and you’ll think I’m a horrible person but...”

It makes me really quite sad.

Yep. I've been shamed by a fuckwit middle aged male pharmacist.

It's because women should be ashamed about anything to do with them having sex. I think it really is that simple.

To balance it out - I didn't get it from him but then went to another pharmacy where a delightful middle aged male pharmacist happily sold it to me and made me feel much better about my drunken contraceptive lapse and consoled me that "we're all human".