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This sticky will contain information about the Plan B/morning after pill, including costs, how to get it, what it involves, side effects, and so on.

Warning: Comments about the Plan B/morning after pill being abortions, or having anything to do with abortions will result in you automatically being banned from the guild. Negative statements like that are NOT tolerated.
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Table of Contents:

- Post 1: Introduction <--- You are here.
- Post 2: Plan B pill information.
- Post 3: Other morning after pill information.
- Post 4: Reserved.

Other Morning After Pill Information

Taken from: http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/sex_relationships/facts/morningafterpill.htm

(UK article featuring an EC called Levonelle)

What is the morning-after pill?
The morning-after pill needs to be taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex.

The morning-after pill stops you from becoming pregnant if contraception failed or wasn't used.

Although lots of people talk about the morning-after pill, this term is actually misleading. In reality, the pill works for up to 72 hours (three days) after sex.

But the earlier you take it, the better: the morning-after pill works best if taken within 24 hours of unprotected sex.

The medicine currently used in the UK is called Levonelle one step or Levonelle 1500. It contains a female-type hormone called levonorgestrel - which is one of the ingredients of several types of contraceptive pill.

Medical professionals will often call it the post-coital pill (PCP) or emergency contraceptive (EC).


How does it work?
It's believed Levonelle works by:

- preventing your ovaries from releasing an egg

- altering the lining of the womb, so a fertilised egg can't embed itself there.

In Britain and many western countries it is regarded as an emergency contraceptive, not an abortion-causing drug - it won't work if you are already pregnant.


Is it effective?
The morning-after pill is not 100 per cent effective, but the failure rate is quite low. It's probably about 10 per cent, and rather better than that if you take it as early as possible.


Who is it useful for?
The morning-after pill is now widely used by women who have had unprotected sex. In particular, it has proved of value to:

- rape victims, who should insist they are given it (unfortunately, UK doctors who examine women have sometimes been slow to prescribe it)

- couples who have a condom break during sex

- women who have been lured into having sex while under the influence of drink or drugs.


Is it dangerous to use?
Not at all. If anybody tells you that it has 'lots of side-effects' or 'makes you really sick', don't believe them.

The older form of PCP used in the 1990s did often cause nausea, but today's pill causes very little trouble.

You may feel a bit sick after taking it, but only about 1 woman in every 60 actually throws up.

If you do vomit within three hours of taking Levonelle, you should assume its effect has been lost, and get another one from a doctor or pharmacist.

Uncommon side-effects, which as a GP I've hardly ever seen, include:

- headache
- tummy ache
- breast tenderness
- vaginal 'spotting' of blood
- dizziness

You can find more details about side-effects from the package leaflet.


Is there anyone who shouldn’t take it?
There are some women who shouldn't take the post-coital pill. They include people with severe liver disease and people with a very rare condition called porphyria.

But for nearly everyone, Levonelle is fine and most unlikely to cause any significant problems.

The herbal medicine St John's wort reduces its effectiveness. If you take St John's wort, your doctor may want to prescribe a larger dose of the pill.


How do I get it?

1. From your GP
Most general practices will see you on the day you request the morning-after pill, but you must make it clear to the receptionist that the need is urgent.

If there is some difficulty in getting to see your GP, you can get Levonelle from several other types of doctor.=:

- Medics at family planning clinics - if you need help in finding one, call the fpa on 020 7837 5432.

- Doctors at youth advisory clinics or Brook advisory clinics for young people - details from Brook on 08000 185023.

- Doctors at university/college health centres.

- Medical officers at genitourinary medicine (STD) clinics.

- Some private doctors, particularly at walk-in clinics in central London.

2. From your local pharmacy
You can now buy the morning-after pill from a pharmacy without needing a prescription.

The downside is the pharmacy will make a charge for it, currently £22. However, there are a few areas of the UK where special local arrangements have been put in place to provide emergency contraception for free.

The pharmacist will have a quick chat with you first, to make sure you can take this medicine safely and understand what to do if it doesn't work. This is done discreetly, so don't worry that others will hear.

Not every chemist is willing to do this work. To avoid delays, it's probably worth calling your local pharmacy first to check if they supply Levonelle without a prescription.


How do I take it?

- Levonelle 1500 is the name for the morning-after pill on prescription
- Levonelle one step is the one you buy over the counter.

Both are identical and contain one tablet per pack. Swallow the tablet straight away.

(This has replaced the old method of taking two lower strength tablets 12 hours apart.)


Any other warnings?

- Your next period may come early or late. If it doesn't arrive within a couple of days of the expected time, see a doctor.

- The morning-after pill does not protect you from pregnancy for the rest of your menstrual cycle. So either abstain from sex or use a barrier method like a condom.

- The morning-after pill is not good at protecting against ectopic pregnancies, although these are rare. If you get lower tummy pain or abnormal bleeding in the weeks after using it, see your doctor.


If it doesn't work, could the tablet harm the unborn baby?
We simply don't know the answer to this question.

No research has shown any increase in abnormalities among babies whose mothers took the morning-after pill. But past experience does show that other hormones taken in early pregnancy have harmed children.


Is there any other kind of emergency contraception?
It is possible to have a coil fitted after unprotected sex - but this is nowhere near as common.

The advantage is that you can have the coil put in up to five days after having sex (though preferably earlier), and it continues to offer protection against pregnancy.

The downside is only a minority of UK doctors have been trained in the slightly tricky business of fitting coils. So it could be quite difficult to find someone who can fit this device.

If in doubt, try a family planning clinic or a Brook advisory centre.

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Taken from: http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/teenhealth/EmergencyContraception.htm

Emergency contraception:
Preventing pregnancy after you have had sex

You can become pregnant if you have unprotected intercourse even just once! Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) can prevent pregnancy. The ECP should only be used in an emergency. It only works for a short period of time.

When should I use the ECP?
The ECP is best used within three days (72 hours) after unprotected sex. Some doctors will prescribe it up to five days, but there is less evidence about how well it works then. The sooner you take the ECP, the better it will work. Unprotected sex includes:

- When no birth control was used.

- When birth control may have failed. For example:
–- If a condom broke or slipped.
–- If a diaphragm or cervical cap came off, tore or was taken out too early.
–- If you missed taking two or more of your birth control pills or started a new pack three or more days late.
–- If you were late for your birth control shot.

- When you have been abused, sexually assaulted or raped and are not already using a reliable method of birth control.

Although sometimes called the morning-after pill, emergency contraception has been proven to be effective up to three days after intercourse. It does not have to be taken in the morning.

How well does the ECP work?
If 100 women have unprotected sex just one time, eight of them will get pregnant. Using the ECP, one to three will get pregnant.

The ECP is only for emergencies. It is not a good form of regular birth control. Things that work better include the birth control pill, the shot or the needle (Depo-Provera [Pharmacia & Upjohn Inc, Mississauga]), an intrauterine device (IUD), condoms or abstinence (not having sex).

The ECP won’t protect you against sexually transmitted infections. If you are worried about sexually transmitted infections (STIs), please talk to your doctor or visit a clinic.

What is the ECP?
ECPs are made of the same hormones as birth control pills. Some have only one hormone (called Plan B) and some have two (called the Yuzpe method). See Table 1 for a comparison of the two types.

Table 1

Yuzpe Method
- Chance of getting pregnant cut by 75%
- More nausea and vomiting
- Costs about $15 to $20

Plan B
- Chance of getting pregnant cut by 85%
- Less nausea and vomiting
- Costs about $30 to $35


Is the ECP safe?
Yes. The ECP is only used for a short time, and the amount of hormones in the ECP is low.

One group that found the ECP to be safe is the World Health Organization. They say that the ECP is extremely safe and can be safely used to prevent pregnancy.

If you have ever had blood clots, a stroke or a heart attack, you should only use the ECP called Plan B. It is made with only one hormone, progestin.

What if I am already pregnant?
Emergency contraception will not make your pregnancy go away. It is not an abortion pill. However, if you find out after you have taken it that you are pregnant, it will not harm the fetus. Many women have taken estrogen and progesterone (the hormones in ECPs) in early pregnancy and have gone on to have normal babies. If you find out you are pregnant, you should discuss your options with a health care provider as soon as possible.

What are the side effects of emergency contraception?
The most common side effects of ECPs are nausea and vomiting, especially with the Yuzpe method. If your doctor gives you this form of ECP, they will also give you medication to prevent vomiting. If you throw up within an hour of taking the first dose of ECPs, you need to take more ECPs. Some women also have tender breasts, bloating, irregular bleeding, and headaches. These do not last long.

How do I use the ECP?
Either kind of ECP comes in two doses. For Plan B, taking two pills at one time is as effective as the old regimen of one pill and then another 12 hours later. For the Yuzpe method, take the first one as soon as possible. Take the second pill one 12 hours later.

The first dose or the complete dose for Plan B must be taken within 72 hours (three days) after unprotected sex (it could be five days according to your doctor’s prescription). The sooner you take the ECP, the better it will work.

If you throw up within 1 hour of taking the pills, you need to take another dose.

If you are given a pill to prevent nausea (always given with the Yuzpe method) do not drive or drink any alcohol for 36 hours after the first set of pills. The medication that you take to prevent nausea may make you feel drowsy.

Do not take any extra birth control pills. They will not decrease your chance of getting pregnant and will make you feel sick.

What if it’s too late for the ECP?
If it is too late for you to take the ECP, an IUD may cut the risk of pregnancy. An IUD may work if you had unprotected sex within the past seven days.

What should I do until my next period?
The ECP will not last until your next period. If you are not taking a regular form of birth control, you should use condoms and foam if you have sex.

If you are already taking oral contraceptives (the pill) but have missed some pills, start a new pack of pills the day after you take the ECP. The use of a condom is essential to prevent STIs.

If you want to start oral contraceptives or Depo-Provera (the injection), wait until your next period starts and use condoms and foam until then.

Your next period may be a little early or a little late; however, most women get their next period at about the regular time. If you don’t have a normal period within three weeks after taking the ECP, you should have a pregnancy test to make sure you aren’t pregnant.

Why not just use emergency contraception each time I have sex?
Emergency contraception is not as good at preventing pregnancy as other methods of birth control such as birth control pills taken regularly or birth control shots. In addition, you should be using condoms to prevent STIs such as human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS).

Where can I find more information?
Your paediatrician, family doctor, pharmacist or local public health department will have more information about this topic. In some provinces, Pharmacists can give out emergency contraception without a prescription.


Source: Developed by the CPS Adolescent Health Committee. Published in Paediatrics & Child Health, March 2003.

Updated May 2006