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Emergency Contraception: After the “UH OH!”
By: Brite Moon
Britemoon.rising@gmail.com
Ok, so it happened. You forgot to take your birth control pill more than once this month. Maybe you decided to use protection but the condom broke. Maybe you just didn’t use anything at all. So now what? Whatever the reason you may need it, when Plan A fails, there is now Plan B.
Plan B or “the morning after pill” is an emergency contraceptive that was created for women to help prevent pregnancy after intercourse or sexual assault. If taken within 3 days or 72 hours after questionable contraceptive failure or unprotected sex, Plan B may reduce the risk of pregnancy by up to 89%. Not to be confused with the abortion pill RU-486, Plan B will not work if you are already pregnant. So the sooner you take it, the more effective it will be.
Plan B consists of two pills. One to be taken as soon as possible and prior to 72 hours after intercourse, and the second should be taken 12 hours after the first. Although similar to your average birth control pill, Plan B does not contain estrogen and has higher amounts of the hormone levonorgestrel. These ingredients work together to stop an egg from being released from the ovary and might also prevent fertilization and implantation of an egg to the uterus. However, if you are pregnant at the time of use, Plan B has not been shown to cause damage to an implanted egg and should not adversely affect the pregnancy.
Anyone over the age of 18 can purchase Plan B at your local pharmacy without a prescription. Although it is easily accessible, it is suggested that you call ahead to check for availability because quantities are limited in some areas. Bring your identification! Anyone who is not 18 years of age or older with valid personal identification will not be able to purchase Plan B. With the exception of a few states, if you are 17 and under, you must be a woman with a valid prescription from your doctor or you will be turned away.
Most of the side effects associated with taking this form of emergency contraception mirror those of the side effects from taking prescription birth control. Nausea, headache, dizziness, and breast tenderness are common. You may also notice a change in your menstrual pattern or spotting before your period. There are no studies that show any lasting negative effects on the women have who used this product. It is stressed though, that Plan B should be used on an infrequent and emergency only basis. Frequent and continued use of Plan B will not prevent a future pregnancy or provide any additional protection for any amount of time after its use.
As with most contraception, Plan B does not prevent the transmission of the AIDS virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted diseases. You should not take Plan B if you are allergic to levonorgestrel. If you experience stomach pain or do not start your period within one week of its normal anticipated start date, you should see your doctor. It is possible you are pregnant.
On a personal note, nothing is fool proof and even science has its flaws. Although abstinence is the only way to avoid pregnancy, using some form of birth control is the best way to prevent an unwanted pregnancy. If you choose to have sex, make a conscious decision to use protection or be willing to take responsibility for your actions and their consequences.
For more information on emergency contraception, birth control and pregnancy visit:
www.plannedparenthood.org
www.go2planb.com