plan b emergency pill?

Question

is plan b effective?
how effective is it?
if I took the first tablet after 15 minutes of sexual intercourse, would it be effective in preventing pregnancy?

thank you

Answer 1

Hi there... just want to start off by saying don't be too scared.

I've had to take it and I know how terrifying it can be waiting for your next period to show up.

So far, you've done everything correctly. The plan B is very effective. It will create a very harsh environment for your egg to survive.
Some things that might help you to be more reasurred...
a) are you currently ovulating? (there is a small window during your cycle that you're more prone to getting pregnant than other)
b) how old are you? (it's more difficult to get pregnant the older you are)
c) did you use a condom that failed? if so, there is usually some speramcide on condoms that helped kill the sperm even if some slipped by.

Don't forget to take your second pill :o)

My thoughts are with you.

Oh ya... you might get sick to your stomach - this is very normal, i threw up for a day straight. Just make sure that if you throw up just after taking the pills that you need to get more because you probably just threw up the pill.

And don't stress if you go through some mood swings - they might be a little higher than your basic PMS swings - so you're not crazy, and you're not a horrible person and everyone around you isn't trying to piss you off :o)

Answer 2

Plan B is an emergency contraceptive that can still prevent a pregnancy after contraceptive failure, unprotected sex, or sexual assault.

Plan B should be taken within 3 days (72 hours) of unprotected sex and can reduce the risk of pregnancy by up to 89%. But the sooner you take it the more effective it will be.
http://www.go2planb.com/ForConsumers/Index.aspx

Answer 3

In this article, "EC" refers to "Emergency Contraception", which is the same thing as the "Morning After Pill (MAP)", or "Plan B".


"Progestin-only EC reduces the risk of pregnancy by 89 percent if started within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse. For example, eight out of 100 women will become pregnant after having unprotected sex once during the second or third week of their cycles. But only one woman out of 100 will become pregnant after taking progestin-only EC.

Combination EC reduces the risk of pregnancy by 75 percent if started within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse. Only two out of 100 will become pregnant after taking combination EC.

Emergency contraception is meant as backup birth control only. EC is not as effective as the correct and consistent use of reversible contraception the IUD, the shot, the pill, the patch, or the ring.

EC does not continue to prevent pregnancy during the rest of the cycle. Other methods of birth control must be used.

Emergency contraception offers no protection against sexually transmitted infections. You may want to consider testing for sexually transmitted infections if there is a possibility that unprotected sex put you at risk."

Then I found this, pay particular attention to the last sentence and refer to the first paragraph of the above quotation after reading:

"Plan B® is a brand of hormone pills approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) specifically for emergency contraception. Certain birth control pills may also be prescribed for use as emergency contraception. Some EC regimens use "combination pills" with estrogen and progestin — synthetic hormones like the ones a woman's body makes. Others, such as Plan B, are progestin-only."

Answer 4

Yes, the earlier you take it the more effective it is. 15 minutes is great timing.

Answer 5

Yes it is effective. It is just a high dose of birth control.

Answer 6

I won't tell you to ask a doctor or a pharmacist but I will tell you to read the pamphlet that comes with it.

Answer 7

Yes that would be fine.