So you think you know Plan B?

Thoughts from Courtney Bauer

Did you know Plan B can prevent pregnancy up to 5 days after unprotected sex?
It is most effective within 72 hours of unprotected sex. It is best to take it as soon as you can after unprotected sex, but it is still 75%-89% effective when taken in the first five days after unprotected sex.

Does Plan B have severe side effects?
The most common side effect when taking Plan B is some slight nausea. The nausea can be prevented by eating a light snack when taking it. Other than that the other side effects are rare.

Will emergency contraception abort a pregnancy?
No, EC will neither abort nor harm a pregnancy. It works just like a birth control pill because it inhibits ovulation, thickens cervical mucus, and changes the lining of the uterus. When it prevents ovulation there will be no egg to fertilize. Thickening the cervical mucus stops sperm from getting into the fallopian tubes to fertilize an egg. The changes in the lining of the uterus make it hard for a fertilized egg to implant and therefore hard to start a pregnancy.

Can you get emergency contraception on campus?
Yes, you can get it at SBI Health Education in Hayes Annex C on south campus for $25. You can also get it at the Sub Board pharmacy in Michael Hall for $25.

If you don’t have sex a lot can Plan B be used as a regular form of birth control?
It is not a good idea to use Plan B as a regular form of birth control because it is less effective and can be more expensive than other hormonal methods such as the pill, the ring, etc.