FSRH Response To Introduction Of Pilot Scheme,Oxfordshire, England, Allowing Schoolgirls To Request Morning-after Pill By Text Message

Main Category: Sexual Health / STDs
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 30 Mar 2009 - 4:00 PST

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The Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) strongly supports new initiatives which increases availability and access to all contraceptive and emergency contraceptive methods. With modern information technology, novel ways of communicating with clients are being developed which can avoid the difficulties of obtaining appointments at conventional locations such as GP surgeries or community clinics. This is particularly important with hormonal emergency contraception because the sooner it is taken, the more effective it is.

Kate Guthrie, Vice-President of the FSRH however expressed a note of caution, "To date in the UK, increasing availability of emergency contraception has not had an impact on reducing the numbers of abortions or unintended pregnancies."

She added: "Emergency contraception is not as effective as regular contraception, so should not be seen as a substitute. Every woman deserves swift access to emergency contraception when her regular method has failed. It is important that any new provision of emergency contraception is integrated into existing sexual health services, to ensure that a woman's future contraceptive needs and possible need for STI screening are met."

- The Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (formerly called the Faculty of Family Planning and Reproductive Healthcare) of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists was established on the 26th March 1993.

- It has approximately 12,000 medical members in the UK of whom 8,000 are general practitioners.

- It grants diplomas, certificates, fellowships and equivalent recognition of specialist knowledge and skills in family planning and reproductive health care.

- As a body it promotes conferences and lectures, provides members with an advisory service and publishes The Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care.

- LARCS include copper and hormonal devices worn within the womb ('coils'), the implant ('Implanon') and injectables (the most commonly used is Depo Provera).

Source
Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare