You may be wondering about the way the Morning After Pill, also known as "Plan B" (per it's pharmaceutical manufacturer), works. With all the news hype and the possibility of this drug becoming available over the counter (without a prescription), let's discuss the facts instead of the biased opinions with this helpful FAQ.

Q: When should I take emergency contraception?

A: Emergency contraception should be taken after you have unprotected sex, if you are not on any other form of birth control, and do not wish to become pregnant. It MUST be taken within 72 hours of having unprotected sex- although the sooner, the better. The longer you wait to take EC, the higher the chances that it will not work.

Q: How do I take emergency contraception?

A: The Morning After Pill is actually a series of two pills. At your doctor's office, pharmacy, or local family planning clinic, you will receive a small paper folder with two blisters containing the pills. You will take one pill first, followed by the second pill 6-12 hours later.

Q: How does EC work?

A: Basically, EC is a high dose of the synthetic hormones "ethinyl estradiol" and "norgestimate", which mimic naturally occurring hormones within the body. When ingested, the hormones block the implantation of a possible embryo into the uterus, therefore preventing pregnancy.

Q: What are the side effects of EC?

A: Most women will experience a small amount of bleeding from the uterus/vagina and mild cramps. In some cases, the bleeding may be heavier or cramps more severe. If the symptoms persist for more than 24 hours, you are in severe pain, or are bleeding very heavily (much worse than a regualr period), see a doctor or head to the ER, as these could be signs of complications.

Q: Are Emergency Contraception and the Abortion Pill the same thing?

A: No, they are completely different. EC prevents pregnancy from occuring, while the abortion pill (RU486) aborts a pregnancy that has already been established. Emergency Contraception DOES NOT, CAN NOT, AND WILL NOT get rid of a pregnancy, as it only PREVENTS pregnancy before it occurs. If you are pregnant and do not wish to carry the pregnancy to term, see a doctor to discuss your termination options. RU486 is successful in eliminating pregancy in early gestation, in general, before eight weeks.

Q: I've heard that pregnancy begins at conception. If this is true, then isn't the prevention of implantation of an embryo the same as abortion?

A: No. Pregnancy begins when a fertilized egg, also called an "embryo", or cluster of cells, attaches to the uterine wall to obtain nourishment for growth. If provided the proper nourishment, that embryo would indeed develop into a fetus. However, pregnancy does not actually begin until implantation occurs and pregnancy hormones are released into your bloodstream. This is why a pregnancy test will only show a positive result after implantation occurs.

Q: I am under eighteen, or on my parents' health insurance plan. Can I get EC without telling my parents or guardians?

A: Planned Parenthood, as well as other local family planning clinics located in most cities, make EC available for anyone who needs it, regardless of age, race, background or income. You would have to arrange transportation to the clinic, but you can obtain EC without parental notification or permission.

Learn more about this author, Lee Mullen.
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