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The Morning After Pill (Plan B®)
You had sex. You think you might be pregnant. Now what?
The morning after pill contains the same hormone as regular birth control pills, but the dosage prescribed is several times the strength of a daily birth control pill.
The morning after pill is not for routine use. Failure rates and side effects increase with repeated use of the morning after pill.
There are things you should consider before you take this drug. Although it is advertised as safe and effective, it is good to know all the facts before you take it. Your body and your health are important. Call us at 1-800-395-HELP for more information.
:: What it does
Plan B® works like a birth control pill. There are three ways it can work:
- Stop the release of an egg from the ovary.
- Prevent the fertilization of an egg.
- Prevent the already fertilized egg (embryo) from attaching to the uterus (womb). This causes an already fertilized egg to be expelled from the womb. If this happens, an early abortion will occur, because each human life begins as an embryo.
Plan B® is NOT the same as RU-486.
Read more about RU-486 under abortion procedures.
:: Effectiveness
The morning after pill is not 100% effective:
- Plan B® can be up to 89% effective.
- Can be taken up to 72 hours after having sexual intercourse but is most effective if used within 24 hours of sexual intercourse.
:: Things to Consider
- The most common side effects of the morning after pill include menstrual bleeding, nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue and headaches. Other side effects include changes in menstrual cycle, breast tenderness, dizziness and vomiting.
- The morning-after pill is not recommended for women who plan to have intercourse within 5 days, are breast-feeding or have given birth in the last 6 weeks, have epilepsy, cardiovascular or kidney disease, migraine headaches, diabetes, or hypertension.
- The morning after pill will not work as intended if your pregnancy has already proceeded to the point of implantation. You should take a pregnancy test before taking the morning-after pill.
:: You Have Options
Before taking the “Morning After Pill” you should understand what it is, what it could mean to your health and how it works. Call Care Net Pregnancy Center 24/7 to talk to someone who can answer your questions and help you make an informed decision. 608-259-1605 or 1-800-395-HELP.
Care Net offers accurate information about all forms of birth control. We do not offer or refer for contraceptive services including Plan B®.
Source: “The Morning After Pill” brochure, Care Net
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