The confusion stems from the fact that when it was being evaluated, it was known as the 'morning after pill' since it could be taken after the fact (vs before with regular birth control). Sometime in the last 3 years, that title was taken by another pill that is more like the traditional birth control pills.

Thank you Dr. Guy. I think now they call RU486 the abortion pill and the other is referred to as the emergency contraceptive. Either way, I still view them both as "the morning after pill."

Why Heather? After all this discussion that obviously points out the differences, why would you still view them as the same? They don't even serve the same purpose, or function in the same way. Refering to them as the same thing will only make knowledge about sexual health more confusing for people. Please, at least in conversation, do not call them the same thing....please...

"CDC researchers said the drop in births among girls aged 10 to 14 might be a sign that programs emphasizing abstinence and other forms of birth control were having an impact on this high-risk group." Note the word "might."

It is a sign of many things, ya know? Here, abstinence is included as a general birth control practice, which it is, but a reduction in births from women age 10-14 doesn't mean it's from abstinence education/practice. for all we know, it could be due to an increased access to abortion. Hopefully not, but you know what I mean.

ll

She would do that because when the controversy over RU486 started in the media, it WAS referred to as "The morning after pill". Now if she doesnt keep up with how nicknames are skirted around with new pills I dont blame her. When something is introduced under a certain label in our media oriented society, its good to pick up on it and maintain the name because thats how language works. Today I know you as Fred, tomorrow your Bob? How the hell am I supposed to talk about you behind your back if you keep changing names? You're arguing semantics over a name, iamheathers original point still stands. TomAto, tomato I say, the damn thing can still kill you.

Here's what I would be interested in: stats comparing the death rate of RU486 comparing it to death rates from abortions (both legal and illegal). Im sure you'd never get straight numbers on that, but it would still be interesting.

Why Heather? After all this discussion that obviously points out the differences, why would you still view them as the same? They don't even serve the same purpose, or function in the same way. Refering to them as the same thing will only make knowledge about sexual health more confusing for people. Please, at least in conversation, do not call them the same thing....please...

 

No offense LL, but when you grow up with one batman, and they switch it on you in mid life, you still think of the original batman as THE batman.  Until a few years ago, RU486 WAS the MA Pill. Now they got a real one (kind of).  Give an old fogey time to adjust to the fact that now they have teflon for the uterus!

besides, it is just semantics.

She would do that because when the controversy over RU486 started in the media, it WAS referred to as "The morning after pill". Now if she doesnt keep up with how nicknames are skirted around with new pills I dont blame her. When something is introduced under a certain label in our media oriented society, its good to pick up on it and maintain the name because thats how language works. Today I know you as Fred, tomorrow your Bob? How the hell am I supposed to talk about you behind your back if you keep changing names? You're arguing semantics over a name, iamheathers original point still stands. TomAto, tomato I say, the damn thing can still kill you. Here's what I would be interested in: stats comparing the death rate of RU486 comparing it to death rates from abortions (both legal and illegal). Im sure you'd never get straight numbers on that, but it would still be interesting.

YOu have a way with words!  Exact and on to the point!  Thank you.

Until a few years ago, RU486 WAS the MA Pill.

I went through sex ed over a decade ago (I know, it's not that long ago) and we were taught the difference. I guess my point is that we shouldn't be calling them the same thing because it only increases misinformation. That's all. I understand the original confusion. But now, since we're all informed, we should really call these two very different drugs by different names. And, yeah, Heather's original statement still stands. Chemicals are bad for us, all around!

Deal? Anyone, anyone?

dad

Today I know you as Fred, tomorrow your Bob? How the hell am I supposed to talk about you behind your back if you keep changing names?

Hey now...*smile*

ll

Any evidence to back this up? If so, I'm gonna go have a talk with my mom, 'cause she lied to me. I do disagree, however, with the idea that abstinence isn't realistic. There are plenty of people who achieve it. They may incur frustration, but they do wait.

There was a medical study not too long ago that said men who were sexually active (i.e. 2 or 3 times per week) were less likely to get prostrate cancer.  I think it was created by a bunch of horny men, but it was reported in the media.  Hey!  Who am I to argue?

I think there is a lot of confusion about RU 486, which was not the first "morning after" pill. Emergency contraception (or the morning after pill) was first introduced in the 1960s, mainly for rape patients. RU 486 wasn't introduced until the 80s and only came into use in the US with the 2000 FDA approval. Therefore, the "morning after pill" that you most likely learned about in school, was in fact, emergency contraception, not RU 486. To use your analogy,if you've been calling me Bob, but you find out my name is actually Fred, wouldn't you start calling me Fred?

Shades, you are spot on with that.  I was taught sex ed about 20 years ago and there was a "morning after" pill that doctors could give you.  Actually, all it amounted to was taking a couple weeks of the pill all at once.  Recently, they put it all into one pill and marketed it like it was something new.  The first time that I heard about RU-486 it was called the "abortion pill" because that is what it is.  If you call your doctor the day after, they are going to give you a high dose of hormones to cause a period so that you don't actually get pregnant. They also have a new drug (which is what was mentioned earlier), that is not as effective, that most think of as "the morning after pill" that doctors will actually prescribe as a form of birth control before the deed happens (college kids are known to take it on spring break with them..ack..). RU 486 is used on women who know that they are pregnant and actually abort the baby.  That is why it is dangerous and was so difficult to get FDA approval for.

The discussion about abstinence not being a viable option saddens me.  Has our society gotten so off track that people can't have self control?  Getting pregnant by accident when you are married is quite different than outside of marriage.  It becomes a matter of convenience when you are married- it is life alternating when you are not.  The way that we treat "unwanted" pregnancy speaks volumes of our society's current moral standing.

Reply By: shadesofgrey

Is this why I am blacklisted?

I'm lost...

Nothing wrong with being lost, enjoy the experience while it lasts
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I'm lost

I am so sorry.

going to this article might help you get found sooner, assuming your lost due to the "blacklisted? "comment...

you are quick Danny...kudos!