Don’t Drop the Ball–Statistics Show EC Sales More than Double After New Year’s Eve

Sorted under health, sex and sexuality on December 30, 2009

Teva Pharmaceuticals, the makers of Plan B One Step ® emergency contraception found that sales of emergency contraception more than double in the days after New Year’s Eve. They noticed this trend through statistics from January 2009 and because of the troubling statistic, the Back Up Your Birth Control Campaign and the National Institute for Reproductive Health are raising awareness through their new website, Don’t Drop the Ball.

The site is being used to raise awareness that condoms break and that pills are forgotten about with the excitement of the holidays and New Year’s Eve parties. They have also created a hilarious video about how if you can accidentally text your Grandma on New Year’s Eve, what else can go wrong?

While condoms breaking and forgetting to take your birth control pill at the same time every day is a great thing to raise awareness about since they can both happen at any time, especially in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the holidays, there is another issue that should have at least been mentioned on the website. New Year’s Eve is the biggest party night of the entire year and when we decide to go out and celebrate in an atmosphere like a bar or house party, that additional issue that could be raising the sales of emergency contraception immediately following the last day of the year is date rape.

This initiative had the chance to really raise awareness about violence against women and date rape during the holiday season; it happens a great deal in an atmosphere where people are generally having a great time and celebrating the start of a new year. This is the exact atmosphere where no one would notice someone slipping something into your drink if it is left unattended or would notice the absence of your presence if you left the party or a bar early; people are too wrapped up in celebrating and having a great time with their friends during a time like a New Year’s Eve party, which is why you really need to adopt a trust no one mindset if you’re planning on joining your friends out for the night.

The bottom line of the initiative, however, is great and something to definitely keep in mind–A lot can go wrong with your birth control plan, not just during the holiday season, but at any time so it’s always wise to keep in mind that emergency contraception is available. With its use, you can prevent pregnancy after having unprotected sex for up to 72 hours after the act and unlike the anti-choice groups would like you to believe, it is not an abortion pill in any regard. You can obtain emergency contraception at your local pharmacy over the counter and without a prescription, if you’re over 17 years old. For those under 17, you will need a doctor’s prescription. It is also very important to keep in mind that emergency contraception, as well as the oral contraceptives that may be a part of your current birth control plan, do not protect against sexually transmitted infections, so if you have had high risk sex, get checked by visiting a local Planned Parenthood or clinic that tests for sexually transmitted infections.

For more information on Plan B emergency contraception click here.

If you or someone you know has been raped, please reach out to RAINN by using the National Sexual Assault Hotline (1.800.656.HOPE) or Online Hotline.



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  • leighpurtill
    I just read that the US military will be providing its troops with access to the Plan B pill. Did you see that? In this article is reference to an apparent "rule" that getting a servicewoman pregnant was a punishable offense because a pregnant woman places a burden on the rest of her troops.
    http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/02/05/military.morni...
  • I agree with Steph, in that I've never had a condom malfunction. I think the issue isn't condoms breaking, it's that people don't put them on correctly.
  • rachell32skeith
    Health is important, one must be cautious especially when it concern with any disease. read more prevention at
    http://simplestdtesting.com/resources/
  • I would never have thought that the holidays meant more unplanned pregnancy's. Very interesting article. Thanks for the new wrinkle in my brain!
  • Thank's to spend your time to share. This is what I (and others, I believe), really need. It's really very informative post. Please keep it up. Looking for more relevant post.
  • Hey!!! that's great post on emergency contraception. Nowadays the young ones are not taking care to control the contraceptives. Even they don't think of the precaution taken during sex conditions.
  • I've been using condoms for over 8 years, and I've never had one break. How rare is it that they do break?
  • Aww why'd you change your layout? Anyway, wanted to say HAPPY NEW YEAR :D
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