We all know how it is – you got jiggy with it, but something didn’t go quite as expected and you need the morning after pill. Shock, horror – people have sex and sometimes even with precautions in place, we find ourselves in need of emergency contraception.
What’s troubling with this, however, is that still, in 2018, taking emergency contraception is regarded as a sign of reckless behaviour. Asking for “the morning after pill” is still often treated as an invitation for others to speculate and make judgements about a woman’s promiscuity or irresponsibility.
In reality: seeking emergency contraception is the opposite. It is a responsible choice, not a confession of guilt.
According to a FPA (Family Planning Association) survey, 52% of women aged 16-24 said asking for Emergency Contraception was embarrassing.
Picture the scene… it’s the dreaded ‘walk of shame’, then peeking out behind a baggy hoody and whispering under your breath across the counter ‘can I have the Morning After pill please…’ whilst the old lady behind you tuts, and you wait for the ground to swallow you up…
But why is it this way? It’s 2018 and we don’t need any outdated stigma or hurtful taboos holding us back.
“46% of those surveyed had unprotected sex in the last year,
but of these only 27% took Emergency Hormonal Contraception”
The lingering taboo surrounding emergency contraception means women have to swallow judgements alongside the pill itself. One recent study by ellaOne, revealed that 46% of those surveyed had unprotected sex in the last year, but of these only 27% took the morning after pill.
How bad is that!? 19% of those women chose to risk it, rather than put themselves through the “embarrassment” of purchasing emergency contraception.
Luckily, ellaOne, the UK’s most effective morning after pill, has made it their mission to challenge the narrative surrounding this so-called “shameful” purchase. It should be treated as an informed, responsible and empowered choice.
In a watershed moment for society, young women are taking to social media to stand up and speak out. It is high time for the lingering and outdated taboo around emergency contraception to join those being broken via social media.
Emma Marsh, Brand Manager at ellaOne, says: “This is quite simply the most important campaign in ellaOne’s history. We are not in the business of talking down to women. We are listening to our customers. We are talking to real women, openly and honestly, every week about the relationship they have with emergency contraception and their bodies.
“It’s 2018 and women should not feel judged or feel they have to justify their reasons for purchasing emergency contraception. We are on a mission to change this narrative. It’s time to break the taboo.”
[Read: The Importance of Getting Tested]
For a conversation that’s long overdue, visit: www.mymorningafter.co.uk or use #MyMorningAfter on social media
My Morning After is an online community for women in charge, all about breaking taboos, shaping our own conversations and supporting women who want to take charge of the morning after the night before.
[Read: STIs Are On The Rise: Check Discreetly With LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor]About ellaOne:
ellaOne is the most effective morning after pill at preventing pregnancy after unprotected sex.
It is an emergency contraceptive pill that is available from pharmacies without a prescription.
ellaOne consists of one tablet which should be taken as soon as possible, but no later than 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. Each tablet of ellaOne contains 30 mg ulipristal acetate.
Always read the label.
For more information, please visit http://www.ellaone.co.uk
*This post was written in collaboration with
