Plan B-Emergency Contraception
Let's say you forgot to take your pills, the condom broke, or you were raped or pressured into having intercourse, or your level of passion suddenly overwhelmed your level of sanity and the condom never went on or the diaphragm never went in. Believe it or not, there is a simple, and relatively safe way of substantially decreasing your chance of becoming pregnant. It's been known about for 30 years and is called emergency contraception.
It is now called Plan B or "the morning-after pill." Even the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology believes that Plan B should be next to your box of condoms and rolling papers--just in case.
Don't let the "term morning-after pill" fool you. It can work if you take it up to five days after having unprotected intercourse, BUT THE SOONER YOU TAKE IT THE BETTER. That's because it works by stopping ovulation. It prevents the egg from leaving your ovary. Once the ovum has left the station, Plan B won't work. So forget about getting it first thing in the morning if there is an all-night drug store within striking distance.
Plan B is safe and the side effects are minimal. The hassle is almost nonexistent compared to an unwanted pregnancy or getting an abortion. Anyone who is having intercourse should have Plan B handy before there's a need to use it. Plan B does not cause an abortion. It is not an abortifacient.
Another option for emergency contraception is IUD insertion. It can be inserted as long as 5 to 8 days after unprotected intercourse and can reduce the risk of pregnancy following unprotected intercourse by 99%. It can be left in place to provide effective contraception for years.
Plan B emergency contraception is available over-the-counter in the United States. However, some drug stores won't carry it or you need to ask for it. So if you don't see it, be sure to ask. If you can't find it, try (888)668-2528 or
The Plan B-Emergency Contraception Website.
If you can't get Plan B, but have access to birth control pills, please read this.
[Paul's Open Letter to Major General Cucolo about Plan B) (blogs/PaulsBlog/paul-to-general/)
Another Emergency Contraception alternative is to have an IUD installed. Please read The Copper-T IUD as Emergency Contraception.
Here is an excellent article by Trussell and Raymond on why Plan B is not an abortificant, which means it does not cause an abortion.
