JONESBORO, AR (KAIT) - According to the CDC, the number of women using the morning after pill has dramatically increased in the last decade and has become one popular pill for many reasons.
"Were seeing a trend in more unprotected sex," said ASU Student Health Center Director Victoria Williams.
That's one reason why Williams said misuse of the drug has gotten out of hand. What many women don't know is abusing the pill may not prevent pregnancy in every situation.
"The more frequently that it is used, the less effective that it becomes," Williams said.
The pill was made to be used as a back-up plan to prevent pregnancy and not to be used as a form of birth control.
"It's for when the condom breaks or the ring or the patch was misplaced or when there was no conceptual intercourse," Williams said.
When misused, the side effects can even become long term.
"Just like any medication it has side effects and not only is it a medication, it's a hormone so there are hormonal side effects," Williams said
The pill is sold over the counter but a prescription is required for those younger than 17.
Copyright 2013 KAIT. All rights reserved.
Allcontent ©Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and KAIT, aRaycom Media Station.
