Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Birth Control Methods

Birth Control Methods

Vasectomy is a surgical form of male sterilization that involves severing and sealing the vasa deferentia, preventing sperm from mixing with semen during ejaculation. Because a vasectomy does not impact the testes' ability to produce testosterone, hormone levels, libido, and sexual function generally remain unchanged. While vasectomy is highly effective in preventing pregnancy, with a success rate near 99.85%, rare cases of recanalization (spontaneous reconnection) can occur. Although vasectomy...

Ethical Dilemmas I

Ethical Dilemmas I

Ethical dilemmas in nursing are of utmost importance, as they often arise from the tension between adhering to core ethical principles and the practical realities of healthcare delivery. These dilemmas require nurses to navigate complex situations where competing ethical considerations pull them in different directions.
Let us explore some examples to understand the potentially complex moral decisions nurses face.
Take the case of caring for minors, particularly in areas related to reproductive...

Intrauterine Drug Delivery Systems

Intrauterine Drug Delivery Systems

Controlled-release systems for intravaginal and intrauterine drug delivery have been developed primarily for the administration of contraceptive steroid hormones. These delivery routes circumvent first-pass hepatic metabolism, thereby enhancing bioavailability and allowing for reduced systemic dosages compared to oral administration. Such approaches contribute to improved therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance, particularly in long-term contraceptive regimens.Intravaginal Drug Delivery...

Infertility in Females

Infertility in Females

Female infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after a year of regular, unprotected intercourse and affects about 10–15% of couples worldwide. The primary cause of female infertility is ovulatory disorders, which hinder the release of eggs. These disorders can be classified as hypothalamic amenorrhea, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), premature ovarian failure, and hyperprolactinemic anovulation disorders.
Endometriosis, a condition characterized by abnormal growth of endometrial...

Disorders of the Female Reproductive System

Disorders of the Female Reproductive System

The female reproductive system can be affected by several disorders, including Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), endometriosis, and various forms of cancer. PMS and PMDD are cyclical conditions that cause physical and emotional distress, with symptoms that include edema, mood swings, and food cravings. PMDD is a more severe form of PMS characterized by increased symptom severity that peaks during the luteal phase and tends to improve or resolve shortly after...

Barriers to Effective Communication II

Barriers to Effective Communication II

The barriers to effective communication also include cultural barriers, semantic barriers, gender barriers, and time constraints.
Cultural barriers:
Differences in values, beliefs, religion, knowledge, and tradition can significantly impact communication. Awareness of nonverbal cues is critical, especially when conversing with a patient from a different culture. What appears appropriate in one culture may be inappropriate in another.
Semantic barriers:
As a result of their tendency to use...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Justified Asymmetries: Positive and Negative Claims to Conscience in Reproductive Health Care.

The American journal of bioethics : AJOB·2021

Same author

Commentary on 'Four types of gender bias affecting women surgeons, and their cumulative impact' by Hutchison.

Journal of medical ethics·2020

Same author

Let conscience be their guide? Conscientious refusals in health care.

Bioethics·2013

Same author

Justification for conscience exemptions in health care.

Bioethics·2013

Same author

An institutional solution to conflicts of conscience in medicine.

The Hastings Center report·2010

Same author

Morally justifying oncofertility research.

Cancer treatment and research·2010

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Ex Vivo Method for Assessing the Mouse Reproductive Tract Spontaneous Motility and a MATLAB-based Uterus Motion Tracking Algorithm for Data Analysis

Ex Vivo Method for Assessing the Mouse Reproductive Tract Spontaneous Motility and a MATLAB-based Uterus Motion Tracking Algorithm for Data Analysis

Published on: September 1, 2019

Harm or Mere Inconvenience? Denying Women Emergency Contraception.

Hypatia

|August 14, 2010

Summary

Pharmacist refusals to provide emergency contraception (EC) harm women, even if EC is accessible elsewhere. This study argues against the view that such refusals only cause inconvenience, highlighting the broader negative impacts on women's health and autonomy.

Area of Science:

Reproductive Health
Bioethics
Feminist Philosophy

Background:

Pharmacists' conscientious refusals to dispense emergency contraception (EC) are a contentious issue.
A prevailing argument suggests these refusals cause inconvenience, not harm, if EC is readily available.
This perspective overlooks potential harms beyond mere accessibility.

Purpose of the Study:

To critically examine the impact of conscientious refusals of EC on women.
To challenge the notion that inconvenience does not constitute harm in this context.
To present a feminist analysis of the harms experienced by women denied EC.

Main Methods:

Feminist ethical analysis.
Philosophical argumentation.
Critique of existing ethical frameworks regarding healthcare access.

More Related Videos

Fertility Preservation Through Oocyte Vitrification: Clinical and Laboratory Perspectives

Fertility Preservation Through Oocyte Vitrification: Clinical and Laboratory Perspectives

Published on: September 16, 2021

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Ex Vivo Method for Assessing the Mouse Reproductive Tract Spontaneous Motility and a MATLAB-based Uterus Motion Tracking Algorithm for Data Analysis

Ex Vivo Method for Assessing the Mouse Reproductive Tract Spontaneous Motility and a MATLAB-based Uterus Motion Tracking Algorithm for Data Analysis

Published on: September 1, 2019

Fertility Preservation Through Oocyte Vitrification: Clinical and Laboratory Perspectives

Fertility Preservation Through Oocyte Vitrification: Clinical and Laboratory Perspectives

Published on: September 16, 2021

Main Results:

Conscientious refusals impose harms on women beyond simple inconvenience, including psychological distress and erosion of trust in healthcare providers.
These refusals can disproportionately affect marginalized women who face greater barriers to accessing EC.
The right to access reproductive healthcare, including EC, is undermined by allowing conscientious refusals.

Conclusions:

Pharmacist refusals to provide EC constitute harm, irrespective of alternative access.
A feminist ethical framework reveals the multifaceted nature of harm in reproductive healthcare refusals.
Policy and ethical guidelines should prioritize patient access to EC over pharmacists' conscientious objections.