Reply #38: Hormones

[athenap]

As I understand it, Plan B is a form of Birth Control that uses a hormone cocktail to render a woman's body inhospitable to pregnancy (same as the regular pill, only a stronger dose). If I'm understanding correctly, a non-partisan, legitimate issue over Plan B is how much of an effect the hormones in Plan B have on a younger girl's reproductive system, versus a more mature woman's. Especially given that younger girls with not-fully-mature reproductive systems can have unpredictable reactions to hormones. So given that information, I would be a little concerned about the health and safety issues surrounding making Plan B available to people under 17. If it goes through, then it seems that the pharmacies will treat it like other items of high shoplifting popularity (nicorette, KY, pregnancy tests, ovulation tests, condoms, etc) and keep it OTC, but in a case with a lock on it.

And the point is likely a moot one, since a fourteen year old girl who needs plan b will get a 17 year old to buy it for her, anyway.