I guess it depends a bit on the whole fertilisation vs implantation debate. However, the mechanisms of EC are still a bit unknown, understandably enough as it's very difficult to conduct an ethical trial, and also pretty much impossible to tell whether fertilisation or implantation has occured.
It is known that EC delays ovulation, but what else it does and whether it has any effect on a fertilised egg is still far from clear. It is generally agreed (although not fully clinically proven) that it doesn't have an effect on an implanted egg, and since that is the medical definition of when pregnancy begins, it's considered that EC has no effect on an established pregnancy.
The effect of EC on a fertilised egg (i.e. interfering with implantation) is still a potential moral issue. As far as I'm aware it's not been proven either way. However, normal HBC also has the potential to prevent implantation - read any pill pamphlet, it thins the endometrial lining which makes inhospitable. Progesterone only methods in particular do not consistently prevent ovulation. EC is not any different. It is contraception pure and simple, not a mild form of abortion, despite the slight weirness inherent in the concept of using contraception after the deed is already done.
A review of the scientific literature can be found here, if you're interested http://ec.princeton.edu/questions/EC-review.pdf. The most relevant paragraph to this discussion is the following:
To make an informed choice, women must know that ECPs—like all regular hormonal contraceptives such as the birth control pill, the implant Implanon, the vaginal ring NuvaRing, the Evra patch, and the injectable Depo-Provera,64 and even breastfeeding—may prevent pregnancy by delaying or inhibiting ovulation, inhibiting fertilization, or inhibiting implantation of a fertilized egg. At the same time, however, all women should be informed that the best available evidence is consistent with the hypothesis that Plan B’s ability to prevent pregnancy can be fully accounted for by mechanisms that do not involve interference with post-fertilization events.
Lots of other interesting stuff in there too.
I do know someone who only uses barrier methods because she has a problem with these mechanisms of hormonal birth control.
My apologies for the lecture, from what I know of you you'll find it interesting, but please ignore if not :)
no subject
It is known that EC delays ovulation, but what else it does and whether it has any effect on a fertilised egg is still far from clear. It is generally agreed (although not fully clinically proven) that it doesn't have an effect on an implanted egg, and since that is the medical definition of when pregnancy begins, it's considered that EC has no effect on an established pregnancy.
The effect of EC on a fertilised egg (i.e. interfering with implantation) is still a potential moral issue. As far as I'm aware it's not been proven either way. However, normal HBC also has the potential to prevent implantation - read any pill pamphlet, it thins the endometrial lining which makes inhospitable. Progesterone only methods in particular do not consistently prevent ovulation. EC is not any different. It is contraception pure and simple, not a mild form of abortion, despite the slight weirness inherent in the concept of using contraception after the deed is already done.
A review of the scientific literature can be found here, if you're interested http://ec.princeton.edu/questions/EC-review.pdf. The most relevant paragraph to this discussion is the following:
To make an informed choice, women must know that ECPs—like all regular hormonal contraceptives such as the birth control pill, the implant Implanon, the vaginal ring NuvaRing, the Evra patch, and the injectable Depo-Provera,64 and even breastfeeding—may prevent pregnancy by delaying or inhibiting ovulation, inhibiting fertilization, or inhibiting implantation of a fertilized egg. At the same time, however, all women should be informed that the best available evidence is consistent with the hypothesis that Plan B’s ability to prevent pregnancy can be fully accounted for by mechanisms that do not involve interference with post-fertilization events.
Lots of other interesting stuff in there too.
I do know someone who only uses barrier methods because she has a problem with these mechanisms of hormonal birth control.
My apologies for the lecture, from what I know of you you'll find it interesting, but please ignore if not :)