O.k. I understand the desire to ensure that safe effective methods of birth control are readily available to young women across the socioeconomic spectrum, but is Plan B the best way to go about doing it?

As far as I am aware (and perhaps I am mistaken) no pharmaceutical methods of birth control are currently available over the counter.

Should our haranguing of the FDA’s “foot dragging” really be directed at this issue, and not at say, making the classic Pill, which has been shown to be safe and effective for some 30 years (or is it 40?) available without a prescription.

It just strikes me that there is real concern over making Plan B available over the counter, not in the creation of Teen Sex Cults, but in abuse of a drug that is not meant for everyday use being used as such.

As an example, some people enjoy sex, this is a positive thing, and likewise many people wish to avoid pregnancy. If an emergency “after the fact” method of birth control is made available over the counter while a proactive daily method of birth control still requires a prescription, there is little doubt which method will become the standard of self medication. What will then be the effect of a young woman taking Plan B every month, every week, or in some cases everyday? I do not think studies have been done chronicling such an out come, but I think it’s a fairly obvious outcome to suppose.

In my opinion, those interested in reproductive freedom would do themselves a sight better to focus their attention on getting safe proven birth control methods to as many people as possible, and worry about unsupervised access to emergency contraceptives after the first battle has been won.

I thank for your consideration of my humble opinions.

I am strongly in favor of having Plan B sold over the counter to women of all ages, as well as having regular birth control pills (proven safe in 45 years of usage) available that. It would be cheaper, more effective and allow more women access to safe and effective birth control than the current patriarchal system that limits access to birth control by forcing women to make expensive doctor's appointments and making the pill (or Plan B, which is basically a high dose of regular birth control pill ingredients) expensive prescription drugs.

Many adults with good health insurance benefits are not fully aware that the pill, even after so many decades of use and generic versions, is still very expensive -- too expensive for most teenagers, especially without health insurance. Even the most inexpensive generic brands run about $50 (without coverage) and fancy brands can cost $100. This is on top of the cost of scheduling an appointment with a health care provider and/or clinic. Not to mention time -- just try to get in to see a OB-GYN on short notice. My own doctor schedules appointments at a minimum six weeks in advance (if you are lucky).

The reality of this has been decades of teens and young women risking unplanned pregnancy by having unprotected sex, or by using clumsy ineffective methods (foam, etc.) that can be bought at the drugstore.

I guess it would be logical to postpone sex until you got into see your health care provider, got a prescription, saved up money to pay for said prescription and of course, waited the required one month of taking the pill until it becomes effective -- but love and lust have never been logical. I guess this is where the right-wing conservatives get hysterical. Plan B acknowledges the fact that concern and fear of pregnancy -- however illogically -- often occur after an unplanned act of intercourse has occurred, not weeks or months prior (OK, I guess they hate that too, but not quite as much).

The reality is going to be young women buying Plan B and using it AFTER unplanned sexual encounters...for some young women, this is virtually their entire sex life until they settle down with one partner. The other reality is that it will greatly reduce the number of unplanned and unwanted pregnancies and reduce the abortion rate. You'd think that would be making all the right wingers dancing with delight -- but it isn't. This is the absolute proof that what they object to is NOT abortion (despite all the pious and holier-than-thou talk).

What they really hate is sex.

If you really oppose abortion, you would be breaking down the doors of Congress, demanding Plan B in every drugstore and school clinic.

Plan B is very effective at preventing (not terminating) pregnancy if taken soon after intercourse.

That doesn't mean it's all fun and games to take. The women I know who have used Plan B have all experienced intense cramping, stomach pain / nausea, and general feeling-icky-ness, comparable to the WORST period a female has ever had. (But again, well worth avoiding an unwanted pregnancy.)

Believe me, the women I know who experienced Plan B once were smart enough to take better preventative measures next time, to avoid feeling that ill.

Anecdotally, some college health centers address the issue of female students who come in for repeat Plan B prescriptions. When women need it more than once in a short time span, they and partner are mandated to undergo safe-sex training (including the condom-on-the-banana) to increase the likelihood that they won't need Plan B if their chosen Plan A is being used correctly.

I don't mean to pick on you, Mr. Esser, because I have NEVER seen this discussed in any article on the subject. But, Plan B works by bringing on a period -- a particularly strong one, complete with cramps, bloating, sore breasts, and bleeding, lasting a few days. So the idea that a teenager, or anyone, is going to use Plan B as "everyday" birth control -- one night of passion following three days of cramps, etc., then another night of passion -- is ludicrous.

I'm not sure why Plan B should be available over the counter. It's a serious drug and should be readily available, but why over the counter? I guess I don't think that drugs that alter your natural reproductive cycles are trifling things that anyone could pick up any time. This goes for birth control pills as well. I'm all for women having better access to all this - I think there should be a Planned Parenthood on every corner, where, by the way, BC pills are $14 a pack - but I don't think all drugs should be unmonitored in how they are taken and by whom.

I'd be interested to hear from those of you who know more about the pharmaceutical nature of Plan B as to why it should be over the counter.