It happened. Now what should you do?
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Emergency contraception
On TV or from friends, you have probably heard of "Plan B" or "Morning-after pill". What is it actually?
Morning-after pill is actually misnomer. A better name may be "72-hour-after", as it is proven to be effective in preventing pregnancy in the first 72 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse. On the other hand, the pill's effectiveness decreases as time passes. It is most effective in the first 12 hours. So, take the pills as soon as possible!
In a dose, you will need to take two pills, each 12 hours apart. The ingredient of the pills is actually a stronger version of the oral contraceptive pills that some women take daily.
There are minor side effects after taking the pills. Most people will experience nausea. Few people will experience dizziness, abdominal pain, fatigue, headaches or breast tenderness. Some doctors suggest taking anti-nausea pills before taking the contraception pills to mitigate the side effects.
What does the pill do?
The pills usually contain only one hormone, progestin. Progestin prevents sperm from reaching an egg and keeps a fertilized egg from attaching to the uterus (implantation).
In the United States, Plan B is available to women 18 years old or older without prescription in most pharmacies. For women under 18, the pills can be available with a doctor's prescription