An American study highlights a spectacular spike in sales of morning-after pills from the first week of January. In France, health professionals observe similar dynamics. Between disinhibition linked to alcohol, forgetting the risks of infection and the need for appropriate screening, the issues go far beyond the sole fear of an unplanned pregnancy.
Early January: the silent peak of emergency contraception
The aftermath of the party sometimes gives way to a dull worry. That of unprotected sex. Of a forgotten protection. From a poorly used condom.
In the United States, researchers Brandon Wagner (Texas Tech University) and Kelly Cleland analyzed emergency contraception sales data over several years. Their observation is clear: the first week of January recorded a significant jump in purchases. In 2022, this represented approximately 41,000 additional units sold compared to a so-called “normal” week.
Other holidays also lead to increases – Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day – but they remain well below this New Year’s peak. Conversely, more family-oriented periods like Easter or Mother’s Day have no measurable impact on the statistics.
These figures say nothing about pathways or contexts. But they tell of a collective moment: that of a society which celebrates, which finds itself, which drinks more – and where the barriers fall.
In France, although the consolidated data is less publicized, pharmacists and gynecologists regularly report an increase in requests for emergency contraception after large festive gatherings. Since January 1, 2023, hormonal emergency contraception has been available free of charge and without a prescription in pharmacies, for minors and adults alike. Undeniable progress in terms of access to care. But access which should not mask upstream prevention.
“Prevention strategies are collapsing” : the deleterious effect of disinhibition
Why these peaks? Researchers suggest reduced alertness during prolonged evenings. An observation shared by gynecologist Odile Bagot.
“The most disinhibiting and most frequent factor in this type of circumstance or event is alcohol.she explains.
Alcohol impairs judgment, reduces the perception of risk, and modifies the ability to negotiate the use of a condom. It does not create desire, but it amplifies it and attenuates its safeguards.
The specialist adds: “All drugs of all kinds have this effect of releasing inhibition. And at that moment, the precautionary and prevention strategies that we had put in place collapse.”.
The mechanism is known: under the effect of psychoactive substances, the prefrontal cortex – seat of control and anticipation – operates in slow motion. The moment takes precedence over the projection. In the euphoria of a new encounter, protection can appear secondary, or even superfluous.
However, emergency contraception, although it constitutes a valuable safety net, is not a trivial solution. Its effectiveness decreases over time: the sooner it is taken after intercourse, the more effective it is. Waiting, hesitating, hoping that “everything will be fine” can reduce your chances of action.
But the risk of unwanted pregnancy is not the only danger.
Beyond pregnancy: the risk of infection, largely forgotten after the holidays
The most common reflex after unprotected sex is to buy a morning-after pill. And the risk of infection is often relegated to the background.
“We must remember the effect of alcohol and substances that modify the state of consciousness and vigilance. But also emphasize that unprotected sex obviously exposes you to the risk of pregnancy, but above all to all sexually transmitted infections, because young people tend to forget this.”insists Dr. Bagot.
Among these infections, chlamydia occupies a special place. Frequent, often silent, it can progress for months without symptoms. Untreated, it exposes you to severe complications: pelvic infections, chronic pain, and, in the long term, infertility.
Faced with this, screening remains a simple but still underused weapon. In France, the “My IST test” system allows those under 26 to access laboratory screening free of charge and without a prescription.
But you still need to know how and when to get tested. The gynecologist recalls: “Screening for sexually transmitted infections isn’t just about taking blood. It is a blood test for serologies (AIDS, syphilis, hepatitis), plus a bacteriological sample to look for chlamydia and gonococci..
The calendar is decisive:
- For bacteria such as chlamydia or gonococci, a sample can be taken quickly after the risk report;
- On the other hand, for viruses – HIV, hepatitis – the notion of “serological window” is required, this period during which the infection can be present without being detectable.
“There is no point in doing a serology test the next day. It is falsely reassuring – because negative – since it was made too early”she warns.
Immediate serology can nevertheless be of interest: knowing one’s previous status, in particular to know if one could have exposed a partner, or to certify, after non-consensual intercourse, of an absence of prior infection.
Basically, these sales figures and these post-festive consultations remind us how reckless we can sometimes be. Prevention requires ongoing education, guilt-free speech, and easy access to care. Because behind each morning-after pill and each screening, a possibility: that of regaining control, of avoiding complications, of transforming a moment of worry into a responsible health action.