You may have heard of Plan B One Step, commonly known as a morning supplement. It is an emergency contraceptive pill that prevents an egg from being fertilized. A common misconception is that it is the abortion pill. It is not (We dive into that more below).
Plan B is actually a brand name, so while it’s common to call the entire category a Plan B (in the same way as Kleenex tissues are called), other companies offer the same emergency contraceptive pill. grant. Take Action, My Way, Option 2, Prevent, After Buy, My Choices, Aftera and EContra are some brands you can see at your pharmacy.
There are many reasons why someone might decide not to have children, among them not anyone else’s business but their own. Bodily autonomy is not up for debate, but now we’ve learned of the Supreme Court’s plan to overturn Roe v. Wade, It is important that people educate themselves about the methods available to prevent pregnancy.
What does the Plan B Pill do?
Plan B works by temporarily delaying ovulation. As Gynecologist and Gynecologist Kerry-Anne Perkins explains via email, Plan B contains levonorgestrel, an ingredient you’ll find in many daily birth control pills (although it comes in a higher dosage than in Plan B). ). It temporarily blocks the release of an egg from the ovary, and thus prevents that egg from being fertilized. “Basically, Plan B is a race against your ovulation,” she says.
After unprotected sex – which could be the result of not using enough contraception, taking the pill or a broken condom – sperm can live in the body for about five days. If you ovulate at any point within those five days, the egg is at risk of being fertilized. You should take a Plan B within 72 hours of having sex, but the sooner the better. Despite Plan B’s reputation as an emergency contraceptive, you don’t have to and shouldn’t wait to take it.
Is Plan B an abortion pill?
No. Plan B works by preventing pregnancy; it doesn’t end an existing one. If you take a Plan B after the egg has been fertilized, or even confirmed to be pregnant, it will not stop. That’s why it’s important to take it as soon as possible after having unprotected sex. If you are seeking an abortion, whether through medicine you have to see a doctor.
“Probably the most popular [misconception] is that Plan B will have abortions,” said Perkins, who is also a member of the medical review panel of Interactive Women’s Health, speak. “It will not. Plan B simply delays ovulation — which happens before fertilization occurs. If ovulation is stopped, fertilization will not take place and pregnancy will not occur. If you are already pregnant, Plan B will not abort the pregnancy.”
How effective is it in preventing pregnancy?
According to Planned Parenthood, Plan B and its plans have a 75 to 89% chance of preventing pregnancy. Perkins tells me that about one in eight people on Plan B can still get pregnant.
How do you get a plan B?
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Plan B is available without a prescription and can be purchased by anyone of any age. You can find it at CVS, Walgreens, Target, aidand many other grocery stores and pharmacies, including online pharmacies like Wellspring medicine.
It usually costs around $50, but your local Planned Parenthood may also be offering it for free or at a more manageable price.
Does it expire?
Plan B lasts about four years — although each cell should have an expiration date that you can check. After that date, it becomes less effective.
The worst idea is that you have a box that you can take away immediately, but you don’t want to stock it. “Following the recent abortion news, it can be tempting to hoard large amounts of Plan B,” says Dr. Jessica Shepherd. Medical director of Verywell Health and an OB/GYN. “But since they’re expired, it’s not worth hoarding. This can also lead to shortages for others who need it as well.”
