By Tribune-Review

Published: Thursday, January 31, 2013, 8:55 p.m.
Updated: Wednesday, February 20, 2013

In response to obstetrician/gynecologist Rachel B. Rapkin's letter “Contraception confusion” (Jan. 24 and TribLIVE.com): Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) contain the same synthetic hormones as oral contraceptives (aka “the pill”), but in higher doses. An ECP gives the body a short, high burst of synthetic hormones that disrupt natural hormone production needed for ovulation and pregnancy.

ECPs prevent pregnancy by inhibiting ovulation, or if that does not work, by disrupting egg and sperm transport, or by preventing implantation. ECPs and the pill are not always successful in inhibiting ovulation. This is known as a “breakthrough ovulation” and happens between 2 percent and 28 percent of the time for the pill.

A newly formed life, conceived in the fallopian tube, has all the genetic information of a new human being; all that is needed is time, an acceptable environment and nourishment to become viable. That is why the pill and ECPs have been described as having abortifacient properties.

Since oral contraceptives and ECPs cause hormone-induced abortions, they should not be funded through forced participation in any health plan. There is a safer, more effective, morally acceptable alternative. It is called natural family planning.

Brian & Laura Hall

Churchill

The writers are certified natural family planning instructors with The Couple to Couple League International Inc. (ccli.org).

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