Poison? For Our Girls and Teenagers

When you love your country and your people, you are willing to do whatever it takes to defend them. And when you see our girls and teenagers treated like little animals with no will to control their sexuality, and being sold a pill as the perfect solution to a problem that actually requires EDUCATION, things get even worse. Since the commercial keeps airing and says nothing about the possible effects of this drug, I will summarize here what several laboratories themselves state in the package insert of the “emergency contraceptive.”

The insert describes it as a post-coital hormonal contraceptive for emergency use. It lists as contraindications: hypersensitivity to any of its components; known or suspected pregnancy; malignant breast tumors; thromboembolic disease; acute liver disease; porphyria; and undiagnosed bleeding of the urinary, uterine or genital tract. It says the risk and benefit must be weighed in cases of asthma, heart failure, epilepsy, high blood pressure, migraine or kidney problems; diabetes; high blood lipids; risk factors for low bone density; and thromboembolic disorders, including cerebrovascular disease, pulmonary embolism, retinal thrombosis, or a history of these or of phlebitis.

Among its warnings, the insert says its effectiveness is based on a single use per menstrual cycle; that it is meant for occasional use in emergencies only and never as a substitute for a regular method; and that a doctor should be consulted if vomiting occurs within an hour of taking a tablet.

Among its precautions: if pregnancy occurs, the possibility of an ectopic pregnancy must be ruled out, especially in women with a history of ectopic pregnancy, tubal surgery or pelvic inflammatory disease; patients with a history of central nervous system disorders such as depression or seizures should be taken into account; and no studies have been done on its potential to cause tumors or mutations. It also notes that progestogens alter the cervical mucus and can interfere with sperm function and fertilization, that high doses or prolonged use may delay the return of fertility, and that high concentrations may increase gum inflammation and bleeding.

As adverse reactions it lists, most frequently, absence of menstruation, irregular bleeding, spotting between periods and high blood sugar; less frequently, abnormal breast milk secretion, breast pain, depression and skin rash; and rarely, thromboembolism. It advises seeing a doctor if nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue, headache, dizziness, breast tenderness, vomiting, diarrhea, acne, hot flashes, insomnia, decreased libido, changes in body, facial or scalp hair, or skin blotches persist. And it states plainly that it is not recommended for girls and does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases, HIV or AIDS.

What it does do, reliably, is protect against A BABY. In 1997 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration published an informational article explaining that this pill works by preventing or delaying ovulation or by preventing a fertilized egg from implanting in the lining of the uterus. MedlinePlus, the online medical encyclopedia, likewise says that it sometimes prevents fertilization and sometimes prevents implantation after fertilization has already occurred. And as if that were not enough, in countries such as Spain, where this drug has become as common as condoms or more so (some girls and teenagers use it more than four times a month), very serious studies are being done on its effects on the developing brains of girls and teenagers (Spanish Association of Bioethics and Medical Ethics, Cuadernos de Bioética, no. 75, www.aebioetica.org).

How is it possible that this substance is sold in Venezuela without a prescription? How is it possible that advertising aimed at girls and teenagers is allowed on a television channel at any hour of the day, as if it were candy? Where are this country’s health authorities? Where are the authorities who defend the rights of Girls and Teenagers?