What You Need to Know about the Morning-After Pill
The Morning-After Pill, also known as Emergency Contraception, is a type of birth control that is designed for emergencies only, in most cases. It is not to be used as a regular form of birth control by any means. Despite the name – Morning-After Pill – this type of emergency contraception can actually be used up to five days after you have unprotected intercourse to prevent pregnancy.
Many people believe that the Morning-After Pill causes an actual abortion in the event that pregnancy has already occurred, but this isn’t the case. An actual pregnancy does not occur until an egg has been released from the ovary, that egg has been fertilized with sperm, and the fertilized egg has attached itself to the uterine wall. All three of those conditions must be met for a pregnancy to occur. The Morning-After Pill can stop any one or all three of those conditions from occurring, if it is taken soon enough.
If those three conditions have occurred, however, the Morning-After Pill won’t do anything to prevent the pregnancy, simply because it has already occurred. You should also be aware that this pill does not prevent or cure any sexually transmitted diseases. It is also important to note that while the pill can be used up to five days after intercourse, the sooner you use it, the better your chances are of not getting pregnant – it isn’t 100% effective and the longer you wait, the less effective it is.
There are side effects associated with emergency birth control. You might feel abdominal pain, have irregular bleeding, headaches, fatigue, and you may experience tenderness in the breasts. Nausea and vomiting are possible, but fairly rare.
You do not have to visit a doctor for the Morning-After Pill. The Food and Drug Administration has made this medication available over the counter, but you must be at least seventeen years old to purchase it. The pill is sold under the brand name Plan B. There are some states where it is legal to purchase the pill without being seventeen or older. These states include Alaska, Hawaii, California, Washington, Maine, Montana, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. In other states, if you are under the age of seventeen, you can still get the Morning-After Pill, but you must visit a clinic or doctor to get a prescription.
The cost of the Morning-After Pill ranges from $10 to $45 depending on where you live, and some clinics will charge based on your income. Health insurance typically will cover the cost as well.
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