The Plan B pill is a form of emergency contraception. It is a hormone-containing pill that disrupts the process of becoming pregnant. According to Planned Parenthood, Plan B pills prevent an egg from leaving the ovary and moving into the fallopian tube. This is called ovulation. Without an egg waiting for fertilization from sperm, a woman cannot get pregnant. According to the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), the hormones in the emergency contraceptive pill can also increase cervical mucus, making it more difficult for sperm to travel to an egg or survive. The university also points out the pill helps thin the lining of the uterus to prevent a fertilized egg from attaching to it.
Easily Available
Depending on what state a woman lives in, the Plan B pill can be purchased without a prescription at a number of locations. A man or woman over the age of 17 can purchase the pill. Some states allow the pill to be purchased only in an emergency room, at a hospital facility, or at a birthing center. Other places to purchase it include Planned Parenthood health centers, pharmacies and health department offices. Individuals under the age of 17 need to visit a health care provider and request a prescription. An exception to some state rules may be made in the event of sexual assault or rape. Women can even purchase the Plan B pill to keep on hand for emergencies.
Prevents Pregnancy
One of the greatest advantages of the Plan B pill is that it prevents an unintended pregnancy after unprotected intercourse has already occurred. According to UCSB, the morning after pill is 89 percent effective in preventing pregnancy, and it can be taken up to five days after unprotected sex. The emergency contraceptive pill can be used in addition to other birth control methods that may have failed, according to a UCSB report. For example, the emergency pill can be taken when a condom breaks, a woman missed her birth control pill, or when a man ejaculates inside the vagina instead of withdrawing. The Plan B pill can also be used with other methods like the birth control shot, patch, ring or intrauterine device (IUD).
It's Generally Safe
The Plan B pill contains the same hormones as other hormone-based birth control methods. The amount of hormones are much higher. The hormones are generally safe for use, Planned Parenthood reports. There can be mild side effects after taking the pill such as mood swings, headache or nausea. According to Planned Parenthood, because the emergency contraceptive pill is taken for only a short time, it does not have the same side effects as other oral contraceptives that are taken long-term.
The morning after pill is not an abortion pill, Planned Parenthood asserts. It will not abort a fetus or fertilized egg that has already implanted into the uterine lining. The emergency contraception pill does not harm a fetus, but it should not be taken when a woman has already confirmed pregnancy.
