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	Vol.7, No 38, November 3, 1999
	New contraceptive pills spark debate By Sarah LaVoie Daily Forty-Niner One Cal State Long Beach student learned how bad the morning after really is. The sophomore liberal studies major took the "morning after" pill after finding out about the contraceptive from MTV's advice show "Loveline." "I took the pills about a week before the beginning of my menstrual cycle," said the student, who wanted to remain unidentified. "When my cycle started, I got really bad cramps. I don't normally get them that bad. It was like the worst." She first took Emergency Contraceptive Pills, or ECPs, after she received them from CSULB Student Health Services. The use of ECPs is a recent method  to prevent pregnancy up to 72 hours after unprotected sex. In February 1997, the Federal Drug Administration approved the off-label use of oral contraceptives taken in high doses to avert pregnancy after intercourse has occurred. "I think it's something that medicine should have done, but with the public knowing that it's out there, it could lead to more carelessness," said Ray Mora, a CSULB sophomore majoring in mechanical engineering. Some students support the use of ECPs. "I think it's a good idea," said Myra Garcia, a freshman psychology student. "People end up getting pregnant and then they have abortions and I am totally against that," she said.  "It's not good, but it's better than having an abortion." Other students are hesitant about them. "I think it's a good idea, but people should try to be more responsible and not have to resort to that," said Scott Ogilvie, a junior majoring in human development. "I wouldn't do it," said Brianne Suacci, a junior majoring in kinesiology. "It's a lot easier these days to have safe sex and there are a lot of different choices. I think it's a lack of responsibility." Officials from Planned Parenthood, a national organization specializing in contraceptive awareness, contend the pills can prevent a great number of unplanned pregnancies. "The products can work by delaying ovulation, preventing fertilization, or preventing implantation in the endometrial lining of the uterus," said Vincent Chandler, a medical assistant at Planned Parenthood of Los Angeles. Currently 10 combination-hormone pill brands are suitable for use as emergency contraceptive pills, according to Planned Parenthood representatives. They said the Preven Emergency Contraceptive Kit was the first FDA-approved product specifically labeled and marketed for emergency contraception. The FDA approved on July 28, 1999, the first ECP without estrogen. The product, Plan B, contains only the hormone progestin and is less likely to produce nausea and vomiting than other ECPs, according to Planned Parenthood officials. The ECP regimen, which uses two doses of combination-hormone oral contraceptives, is called Yuzpe. It was named after the Canadian professor who published the first studies demonstrating the method's safety and efficacy in 1974. Physicians have been able to prescribe oral contraceptives such as ECPs according to the Yuzpe regimen for more than 20 years, but they were not allowed to publicize or advertise them for this purpose, according to Deni Robey, a spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood of Los Angeles. "The problem was that most people didn't know about it, so it wasn't very common," she said.		Students toss trash   CSU services via Net offered   Tribal remains may head home   SSPA elevators to receive badly needed repairs   Law forbids campus smoking  around buildings, classrooms   New contraceptive pills spark debate   Police Log Club fees helpful   Hard work brings concert to Pyramid   Taking a stand against male rights Day of dead exhibit provides education   Voices from beyond graves Former 49er joins CBA   New sprint coach joins track family   Cross country team not upset  after final meet Fall 99 ISSUES DAILY 49ER HOMEPAGE
Forty-Niner Publications, Department of Journalism, California State University, Long Beach ©1999 All rights reserved.