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MORNING-AFTER PILL AND PLAN B

The Morning-After Pill is an emergency contraceptive taken for the prescribed intended purpose of preventing a pregnancy. Some of the common reasons for taking this pill may be: you didn’t use birth control, you missed a pill, you were sexually assaulted, the condom broke, or another method of birth control seemed to fail during intercourse.

The Morning-After Pill works to delay or prevent ovulation and will not end an already established pregnancy. The reverse is true for the Abortion Pill (RU 486), which is used to terminate a pregnancy, not to prevent one

The prescribed intended use for the Morning-After Pill is for emergency use and is not considered regular birth control. While it does help prevent pregnancy, it is not 100%. It can fail and does not offer protection against sexually transmitted infections.

It is most effective when taken as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse and can reduce the risk of pregnancy by 87%. However, as noted by the manufacturer, the sooner you take the pill, the better.

 

To clarify, the Morning-After Pill is NOT is the Abortion Pill.

Plan B is one of the many brands of the Morning After Pill. Other brands you may be familiar with are…

  • Econtra EZ
  • My Way
  • Next Choice One Dose
  • Plan B One Step
  • Preventeza
  • Take Action

The following Morning-After Pill uses ulipristal acetate, which should not be taken if you are pregnant (effects on developing baby are unknown) or breastfeeding:

  • ella

Common noted side effects a person may experience after taking the Morning-After Pill:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Breast tenderness
  • Abdominal cramping
  • A delayed period

If you do not get your period within 3-4 weeks of taking the Morning-After Pill, it’s recommended to take a pregnancy test to determine if you are, in fact, pregnant.  We can provide you with a free pregnancy test and the opportunity to talk with a nurse should you find yourself questioning if you are pregnant.

Sources:
 https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/morning-after-pill/about/pac-20394730 
https://www.webmd.com/sex/birth-control/plan-b