Contraceptives via Internet

In an alarming revelation it is now possible for anyone to buy contraceptives via Internet. Sometimes these contraceptives have major contraindications and side effects and in most cases these are not available over the counter but surprisingly these are now available through the Internet. However it takes up to two weeks for the delivery of these contraceptives after placing an order through the Internet.

Investigators from the University of Washington in Seattle posed as consumers and ordered various contraceptive devices from Web sites located with commonly used search engines. The team found that male and female condoms, vaginal sponges and diaphragms were widely available.

From Web sites based outside the US, the researchers were able to purchase oral contraceptives and levonorgestrel IUDs without a prescription. Many of the oral contraceptives arrived in the mail with little or no information about their proper use or the risks associated, the authors note.

These oral contraceptives are known to have a lot of side effects apart from having a lot of beneficial effects. Enthusiastic customers who bypass the tried and tested route of going through a doctor by ordering these through the Internet ignore all these side effects. However the investigators are worried about the dampening effect any harsh action may have on genuine family planners if they have any punitive action in mind for this not so healthy trend of buying contraceptives on the net.