Mexico: 24-year-old Graduate Student
I knew about emergency contraceptive pills because a doctor recommended
that I call the emergency contraception hotline number in Mexico* after I
had an unprotected act of sexual intercourse. People at the hotline told
me what pills I could use as emergency contraception. They also told me
that the pills do not protect against sexually transmitted infections and
that it was necessary to use a condom to avoid infections.
After calling the hotline, I went to the pharmacy, bought combined
hormonal contraceptive pills, and took them immediately. The symptoms I
experienced after taking them were very mild. I think the only thing that
happened to me was that I was very emotionally sensitive the following
days. But I did not experience any nausea or vomiting.
I have used emergency contraceptive pills three times, basically
because I was not using any contraceptive method. I used them one time
after another until I realized that it would be better to use a regular
method.
Now I use a regular method (injections) and that way I feel safer. I
used the pills because I thought this was not the right time to have
children. I am very young and do not feel mature enough to raise a child
yet.
Mexico: 25-year-old Law Student
I have taken emergency contraceptive pills two times over the last
year. On both occasions, I used them because I forgot to take the
contraceptive pills that I normally use. After taking emergency
contraceptive pills, I continued to use regular oral contraceptives.
The combined hormonal contraceptive pills that I used for emergency
contraception did not cause any side effects like nausea and vomiting --
just slight dizziness.
I took the pills because I do not want to have any children now, even
though I have had a stable, monogamous relationship for over four years
now. Neither of us believes that this is an opportune moment to start a
family. He wants to continue studying, and I want to finish my legal
studies and continue my professional development.
Sri Lanka: 24-year-old Woman
I needed to use emergency contraception after I had unexpected
intercourse with my boyfriend.
I telephoned the emergency contraception hotline at the Family Planning
Association of Sri Lanka† and got the name of the emergency
contraceptive pill, which I obtained through a pharmacy.
So, emergency contraception was not difficult to obtain. It was also
very easy to use because the instructions were clear. I used
levonorgestrel-only pills, and did not experience any side effects. I did
not get pregnant.
Since I am not sexually active now, I do not use a regular method of
contraception, but the person I talked to at the hotline told me that
emergency contraception is not a regular contraceptive method, and I
should use the regular contraceptive pills if I am sexually active. I was
also told that the use of emergency contraception will not protect against
sexually transmitted infections.
Sri Lanka: 30-year-old Husband
My wife used to use regular oral contraception, but stopped it because
I was working away from home and we were not having regular sex.
When I was at home, we practiced the rhythm method of family planning,
but -- on one occasion -- we were worried that she might become pregnant.
I had read a newspaper advertisement about the emergency contraception
hotline run by the Family Planning Association of Sri Lanka†. After
phoning the hotline for information, I easily obtained
[levonorgestrel-only] emergency contraceptive pills from a pharmacy. My
wife did not experience any side effects and did not become pregnant.
United States: Young College Student
Two years ago, when I was 19 years old, I was sexually assaulted. I was
not sexually active, so I was not using birth control.
But I had heard on my college campus about emergency contraception and,
right after the assault, I called my primary care physician to get it. I
could not get in contact with my doctor, only the medical office’s
answering service. Meanwhile, I called multiple hospitals for help, but
was told that I would have to go to a hospital emergency room three hours
away to get emergency contraception.
I thought that was ridiculous. Finally, eight hours after the assault,
a physician’s assistant prescribed emergency contraception for me to
pick up at the pharmacy. But it turned out to be the wrong dose, and no
one told me I needed to take a second dose 12 hours later.
When I questioned the prescription, the pharmacist said it was correct
and to take it. Well, it did not work: I got pregnant and I had an
abortion. Since I am not sexually active, I do not put myself in
situations where I would later need an abortion. Even after a sexual
assault, I would not have had to have an abortion … if I had been given
the right thing to prevent pregnancy.
The above accounts were based on interviews by Kim Best, Network
senior science writer/editor; Angela Heimburger of the Population Council,
Mexico; and Daya Abeywickrema of the Family Planning Association of Sri
Lanka. Also, Kandra Strauss of the Reproductive Health Technologies
Project in the United States assisted with the gathering of these
interviews.
* The toll-free hotline in Mexico is 1-800-EN-3-DIAS.
† The hotline in Sri Lanka is 501315.
For more information, visit Family Health International's Website at www.fhi.org
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