If you've wanted/needed to use emergency contraception, have you had any trouble getting it?

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I've used it before and gotten it without any trouble.
32% (483 votes)
I've wanted it, but didn't know how to get it.
6% (96 votes)
I've wanted it, but couldn't get transportation to go get it.
3% (50 votes)
I've wanted it, but couldn't afford it.
5% (67 votes)
I've wanted it, but was refused by a doctor or pharmacist.
2% (27 votes)
I've wanted it, but felt too embarassed to seek it out.
6% (84 votes)
I've wanted it, but thought I'd be refused or harassed, so didn't try to get it.
2% (32 votes)
I've wanted it, but was too afraid or nervous about side effects.
2% (34 votes)
I've wanted it, but had trouble getting it for some other reason (tell us in the comments!)
2% (31 votes)
I've never wanted or needed it.
39% (583 votes)
Total votes: 1487

Comments

I have used emergency contraception, but the pharmacist tried her best not to let me buy it. She was snobby, rude, and jerked my ID of my hand. She also stared me down as I left the store & made me feel very ashamed.

GRRRR.

I'd say harassment attempting to dissuade you -- or anyone -- falls under refusal, actually, and am pretty sure it'd fall under that umbrella legally, as well.

Editor & Founder, Scarleteen: Sex Ed for the Real World
Author, S.E.X.: The All-You-Need-to-Know Progressive Sexuality Guide to Get You Through High School and Col

I've used it, but not without trouble. My doctor's was all out, so they told me to come back tomorrow. And considering the time sensitive nature of the medicine... I asked for my prescription back and had to go seek out another pharmacy. Not exactly hassle free.

You used to be required to have a prescription for it here in Ontario [unsure if this is country-wide], but now you can walk up to a pharmacist and request it without one. I've had to do this and have had no problem. They will talk to you, educate you on how to properly take it, and that's it.

Went with my friend to buy it on two separate occasions and noticed a huge difference in prices and attitudes:s The first time we bought it at a small pharmacy in town, it was just on the shelf and easily accessible but the pharmacist was quite rude and judgemental when she ran my friend though the cash. The second time was at a pharmacy in the mall, it was in the condom aisle and easy to get, the pharmacist there was friendly and nice with my friend as he ran her though. There was a good 6$ difference between these two locations, but it was still in the 30$ range. When I went to the pharmacy near my house I decided to take a look and it was close to 40$. It's so strange :/

In the state of California, it's illegal to purchase Emergency Contraception without a prescription unless you're 17 or over. Having EC on hand would make me feel much safer, however I've been unable to purchase it because visiting my gyno and getting a prescription means going through my mother which I am not willing to do!
This law is totally unnecessary and a huge hassle.

We agree about this law/policy being unsound, which is actually federal, not state. :( (And it's really about it being illegal for the user to purchase, but being unlwaful for someone else to dispense to someone under 17 without a prescription: in other words, they'd be breaking the law, not you.)

But, just so you know, you could obtain EC without going through your mother. You could visit any sexual health clinic -- like Planned Parenthood, or independent clinics, which CA is pretty rich with -- for an EC prescription. same goes for getting any kind of contraception or sexual healthcare in your state!

So, if those are things you want, but only feel able to look into/seek out without your parent involved, do know that's an option for you!

Editor & Founder, Scarleteen: Sex Ed for the Real World
Author, S.E.X.: The All-You-Need-to-Know Progressive Sexuality Guide to Get You Through High School and Col

Ive wanted it but wasn't willing to go to my mother about it. I asked my 21 year old brother to get it for me, but he didnt have the money or transportation, and any money he did have was through an account my mother overlooked. A.k.a. she would know anyway.

At the time I really wanted and needed to get EC I was in a country where it is not available, in the Middle East. I searched the internet and found some ways that other expats had found ways around it- or taken really high doses of normal birth control pills-- but it freaked me out.

Thank goodness-- I somehow didn't get pregnant

I went to my GP (family dr) to get it, but I didn't have an appointment and they had none left. I explained I really NEEDED an appt to the receptionist. She guessed why and asked me in private. She gave me a list of all the family planning clinics in the area and gave me directions to the nearest one that had walk in appts that morning. I went there and got the pill no problem.

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