Facts About Emergency Contraception (Morning After Pill)

What is Plan B?
Plan B is an FDA-approved emergency contraceptive that can be used to prevent pregnancy following unprotected intercourse or a known or suspected contraceptive failure (i.e. broken condom).

Plan B is not the same as RU-486 (the abortion pill). Plan B works like a birth control pill to prevent an unplanned pregnancy. If you take Plan B after you are already pregnant, it will not affect your pregnancy.

To obtain optimal efficacy, the first tablet should be taken as soon as possible within 72 hours of intercourse. The second tablet must be taken 12 hours later.

Is Plan B safe?
When used as directed, Plan B is safe for most women. There have been no serious complications associated with Plan B.

Common side effects include nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue, headache, and menstrual changes.

Women who are pregnant, have undiagnosed vaginal bleeding, or have an allergy to the product should not use Plan B.

Plan B cannot terminate an established pregnancy.

How effective is Plan B?
Taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse, Plan B can, when used correctly, reduce the risk of pregnancy by 89% after a single act of unprotected sex.

Effectiveness declines as the Interval between intercourse and the start of treatment increases.

How does Plan B work?
Plan B works like a regular birth control pill. It prevents pregnancy mainly by stopping the release of an egg from the ovary, and may also prevent the fertilization of an egg (the uniting of sperm with the egg). Plan B may also work by preventing it from attaching to the uterus (womb). Plan B will not affect a fertilized egg already attached to the uterus.

Cost: $35.00

*You must be 18 years of age or older with a valid picture ID. If you are under the age of 18 a parental consent is required.