Emergency Contraception

Emergency contraception such as Plan B, or the ”morning-after-pill,” is NOT the same as an abortion pill. 

Medical abortions use a combination of milfepristone (which blocks progesterone, leading to a breaking down of the lining of the uterus) and misopristol in order to terminate a pregnancy. Emergency Contraception, on the other hand, is only effective if an egg has yet to be fertilized by sperm. 

Emergency contraception prevents the event of fertilization from occurring, which is why it is recommended to take emergency contraception as soon as possible after intercourse.

Plan B

Cost: On Average $40-50

Pros:

• Can be purchased over the counter, without a prescription

• Has a 89% success rate if taken before 24 hours

Cons: 

• Can cause side effects for example nausea, abdominal pain, fattigure, headache, dizziness, vomiting and possible changes in a females menstrual cycle.

Commonly Believed Myths

“If you take Plan B it will hurt your fertility long-term”

Not true!

Plan B is basically a huge dose of progestin— a hormone that women already produce naturally. Think of Plan B as an equivalent of taking ~5 progestin-only birth control pills at once. That’s how large the dose is.

“There is a limit to how much Plan B you can take in your lifetime”

Not true!

There is no limit. However, that does not mean that you should treat Plan B as a form of standard birth control. Only take a single dose, taking more than one will not increase your chances of avoiding pregnancy.

Sources: Crooks and Baur. Our Sexuality. 12th Edition; Planned Parenthood