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Walz: Ruling is “rooted in solid scientific and medical research.”

BOSTON — Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts (PPLM) applauded U.S. District Court Judge Edward Korman’s decision today to deny the federal government’s request to stay his April 5, 2013 order that lifted the age and point-of-sale restrictions on Plan B emergency contraception. Korman’s latest decision is in response to the federal government’s request for a stay while it appeals the Judge’s earlier ruling.

Marty Walz, Chief Executive Officer and President of PPLM, gave this statement in reaction to the ruling today:

“Judge Korman’s decision to eliminate unnecessary age restrictions on over-the-counter access to emergency contraception is a victory for women’s health. When a woman fears she might become pregnant after her contraceptive has failed or she has had unprotected sex, she needs fast access to emergency contraception, not delays at the pharmacy counter. Eliminating barriers will help make sure that women of all ages have timely access to emergency contraception if and when they need it.

“Judge Korman’s ruling is rooted in solid scientific and medical research. Multiple studies have shown that teens are as likely as adults to use it correctly and that both groups report little if any difficulty. Research also shows teens understand that emergency contraception is not intended for ongoing use, and rates of unprotected sex do not increase when teens have easier access to emergency contraception.

“As the state’s leading women’s health care provider and advocate, PPLM works every day to reduce unintended pregnancies by providing birth control to women.”

BACKGROUND:
 
Consistent use of reliable birth control is the best way to prevent an unintended pregnancy, but unprotected sex does occur, and sometimes condoms fail. Emergency contraception provides a safe, effective way to prevent pregnancy and reduce the need for abortion.
 
Research:

  • Studies have shown that emergency contraception is safe for use by women of all ages and that teens have equally as successful health outcomes as adult women when using it.
  • Multiple studies have shown that teens are as likely as adults to use emergency contraception correctly and that both groups report little if any difficulty using the method.
  • Research also has shown that teens understand that emergency contraception is not intended for ongoing, regular use and that the rates of unprotected sex do not increase when they have easier access to emergency birth control.
  • Nearly half of all pregnancies that occur in the U.S. each year are unintended. The average age for first time sex is 17, and roughly 750,000 pregnancies will occur among 15- to 19-year-olds each year.

About Emergency Contraception:

Emergency contraception works by preventing pregnancy. It must be taken within five days of unprotected sex, and it will not work if a woman is already pregnant. EC is a safe, effective form of birth control that works by postponing ovulation, which prevents sperm from coming in contact with and fertilizing an egg. Emergency contraception does not end a pregnancy. In fact, every major medical institution, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), states unequivocally that Plan B and other types of emergency contraception are forms of birth control, and they cannot induce an abortion.
 
The FDA approved Plan B in 1999. It was the first progestin-only medication specifically designed for emergency contraceptive use, and was cleared for over-the-counter sales in 2006 for users 17 or older. However, doctors have been prescribing emergency birth control since the 1960s, and studies published as early as 1974 have shown emergency contraception to be safe and effective.

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Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts is the largest freestanding reproductive health care provider in the state. For over 80 years PPLM has protected and promoted sexual and reproductive health and freedom of choice through clinical services, education and advocacy. For more information, visit www.pplm.org.

Source

Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts

Contact

Alicia Johnson
Advocacy and Communications Coordinator
(617) 515-0531

Published

May 10, 2013

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