What is Plan B?
Pregnancy can be prevented after intercourse by taking Plan B emergency contraceptive pills. It works by giving the body a short, high, burst of synthetic hormones. This disrupts the hormone patterns needed for pregnancy. Plan B disturbs the ovaries and the development of the uterine lining, making pregnancy less likely to occur. It is most effective within the first 24 hours after intercourse. Plan B reduces the risk of pregnancy by 89% but does not protect against HIV/AIDS or sexually transmitted diseases.
How do I take Plan B?
Plan B has two progesterone pills. The first dose should be taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse, preferably with a meal. The second dose is usually taken 12 hours later.
If you vomit within a half hour of taking Plan B, call your healthcare specialist. Vomiting can decrease the effectiveness. To decrease nausea and vomiting take an anti-vomiting medication 30 minutes before taking the first dose.
Who should not use Plan B emergency contraception?
Due to the risk of serious health problems, women with the following conditions may not be able to use Plan B:
- Established pregnancy
- Past heart attack or stroke
- Blood clots in the legs or lungs
- Breast or genital cancers
- Liver cancer
Plan B may not be recommended for women who are breastfeeding or have given birth in the last 6 weeks, have epilepsy, cardiovascular or kidney disease, migraine headaches, diabetes, or hypertension. Call your clinic to ask if emergency contraception is safe for you.
Plan B will not harm an established pregnancy. It acts on the uterus and cannot prevent an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg attaches and grows outside the uterus. This can be very dangerous and requires immediate medical attention.
What are the side effects?
While side effects are rare for Plan B you may experience the following:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headaches
- Breast tenderness
- Dizziness
- Fluid retention
- Irregular bleeding
Women who experience any of the following symptoms while taking Plan B should call their doctor immediately:
- Abdominal pains (severe)
- Chest pain or shortness of breath
- Headaches (severe)
- Eye problems, such as blurred vision
- Severe leg or arm pain or numbness
What are the advantages/disadvantages of Plan B?
Advantages
- Can be used after intercourse.
- Can get pills ahead of time so you have them when you need them.
- Easy to use.
- Does not affect future fertility.
Disadvantages
- Does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS.
- Most effective when taken as soon as possible after unprotected vaginal intercourse.
- Side effects.
- Might not be readily available.
- Not for routine use.
BirthControlBuzz is a service company that provides birth control prices, birth control types (prescription required), health administrative services, and birth control statistics predominantly to US patients seeking to purchase birth control on-line.
For more information, call 1-866-868-8850 or visit http://www.birthcontrolbuzz.com/.
Birth Control Buzz is a service company that provides birth control prices, types of birth control(prescription required), health administrative services, and birth control statistics predominantly to US patients seeking to purchase pharmaceuticals on-line. For more information, call 1-866-868-8850 or visit http://www.birthcontrolbuzz.com/.
