Pediatricians: Teen Girls Should Have Access To Emergency Contraception

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has said doctors should routinely counsel teenagers about emergency contraception and make prescriptions for those emergency contraceptives available, regardless of the teenagers' current plans for sexual behavior.

Currently, federal policy requires a girl under 17 to have a prescription for the "morning after pill" as emergency contraception is commonly called. The AAP said having advance prescriptions for emergency contraception will prevent unwanted pregnancies.

The AAP's recommendation comes on the heels of a recommendation last week from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, to make all birth control pills available over the counter, without a prescription.