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Levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive (EC) pills are FDA-approved for use without prescriptions in women who are 17 or older (JW Womens Health Apr 30 2009). However, clinicians' attitudes can influence women's perceptions of this back-up birth control method. Researchers analyzed survey responses of a random sample of 1154 U.S. obstetrician/gynecologists (OB/GYNs) to explore their beliefs and practices concerning EC.
Most respondents (89%) believed that having access to EC lowers rates of unintended pregnancy. A minority believed that EC access might undermine regular contraceptive use (27%), promote earlier sexual debut (12%), or increase numbers of sexual partners (15%). About half (51%) offer EC to all women at risk for unintended pregna…