Birth Control Options: Emergency Birth Control Information - Plan B

Plan B

Copper T IUD

WHAT DISTINGUISHES PLAN B FROM OTHER ECPs?

Plan B is a form of emergency contraception that can prevent pregnancy if taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex (if a contraceptive fails or if no contraception is used). It is the first progestin-only emergency contraceptive to be approved by the FDA. As with other emergency contraception, it may be taken if a mistake is made using another method, if a couple forgets to use a contraceptive, or if a woman is forced to have intercourse. Each Plan B packet includes a single course of treatment and consists of 2 progestin-only, postcoital tablets, each containing 0.75 mg levonorgestrel. The first tablet should be taken as soon as possible within 72 hours (3 days) of unprotected intercourse. The second tablet must be taken 12 hours later.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES?

• Plan B provides an important safety net for women whose regular contraceptive method may have failed, or for women who may have had intercourse without contraception.
• The Plan B regimen is highly effective, reducing the average risk of pregnancy among users from about 8 percent to about 1 percent. In the first 24 hours after intercourse, Plan B can prevent 95 percent of expected pregnancies.
• Plan B's levonorgestrel-only regimen is much better tolerated than the 25-year-old emergency contraception regimen which combines ethinyl estradiol plus norgestrel or levonorgestrel. In one comparative study of the two regimens, the incidence of nausea in women who took Plan B was greatly reduced.
• There are no biomedical or scientific data to suggest that there would be an increased risk of birth defects if Plan B fails or if a woman who is already pregnant takes Plan B.

WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES?

• Plan B is not a substitute for correct use of regular contraceptives. It is not dangerous to use emergency contraceptive pills more than once, but it is necessary to find an ongoing method of contraception that you will use consistently and correctly.
• Plan B is contraindicated in case of suspected pregnancy, undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding, or hypersensitivity to any component of the product.
• Common side effects of Plan B may include nausea, lower abdominal pain, fatigue, headache, dizziness, breast tenderness, and menstrual changes.
• Plan B is less effective and provides no protection from HIV or sexually transmitted diseases.
• If you are opposed to emergency contraceptive methods that prevent implantation of a fertilized egg, it is important to know that taking emergency contraceptive pills before ovulation can prevent fertilization by preventing or delaying ovulation.
• After taking Plan B, your next period may be early, on time, or late, especially if pills are taken before ovulation.

WHERE CAN I GET PLAN B?
Plan B can be provided through advance prescription, prescription by telephone, walk-in prescription, or an office visit. Neither a pelvic examination nor a pregnancy test is required before treatment. Some clinicians are not familiar with emergency contraception. In this case, call the toll-free hotline, 1-800-584-9911, or 1-888-NOT-2-LATE for phone numbers of clinicians near you who prescribe emergency contraceptive pills. This hotline also provides information about other emergency contraceptive options. In planning for emergency contraceptive services, it is important to keep in mind that the sooner Plan B is taken after unprotected intercourse, the more effective it is.

The Pill | The Mini-Pill | Birth Control Shot | Abstinence  | Cervical Cap

Breastfeeding | Vasectomy | Female/Male Condom Choices

Contraceptive Film (VCF) | Natural Family Planning  |  IUD's

Emergency Contraceptive Pills (ECP) | Vaginal Spermicides

Tubal Sterilization | The Ring | The Patch

Wyoming Health Council

Copyright ©2004 Wyoming Health Council. All rights reserved.