Postfertilization Effect of Oral Contraceptives

TPRI Papers

• Postfertilization Effect of the Pill (Larimore/Stanford paper)

  The available evidence supports the hypothesis that when ovulation and fertilization occur in women taking OCs, postfertilization effects are operative on occasion to prevent clinically recognized pregnancy. Physicians should understand and respect the beliefs of patients who consider human life to be present and valuable from the moment of fertilization. Since it would be difficult to predict which patients might object to being given an OC if they were aware of possible postfertilization effects, mentioning the potential for postfertilization effects of OCs to all patients and providing detailed information about the evidence to those who request it is necessary for adequate informed consent.

• Postfertilization Effect of the Pill (Layman's version)

  A number of physicians and researchers have noted that the oral contraceptive pill (OCP) and other forms of contraception are actually abortifacients (they cause an early abortion). This paper explains using layman's terms.

• A family physician's struggle with the pill

  The Pill has a postfertilization effect causing the unrecognized loss of preborn children. Since the evidence indicated to me that the Pill could have a postfertilization effect, I felt I could no longer, in good conscience, prescribe it.