XMag's Guide to Plan-B One Step
BY KRISTEN WALKER
Where to get it, when to take it, and how effective it is.
"One day after class, my friend with benefits (FWB) came over, and we started having sex. Immediately, I thought: Wow this feels really good. Better than usual. I am beyond wet! After a couple more minutes of mind-blowing sex, we both finished, and he pulled out. To our horror, the condom had split on the side and his penis was coming out of the hole. F#!*, I thought, he came inside of me! Right after, we headed to Walgreens and split the price of Plan B One-Step. I took the pill immediately, and despite mild cramping and nausea, I felt fine."
-Anonymous XMag Contributor |
The condom breaks. He doesn’t pull out in time. She hasn’t taken her birth control in the last three days. You’re both so “in the moment” that he doesn’t put a condom on. All of these scenarios are all too common in college. However, having unprotected sex or having another birth control method fail, even just once, can lead to an unintended pregnancy. So, when Plan A fails, it’s time to think of a Plan B. Note: Plan B is to be used as a last resort and not as a primary form of birth control.
Currently, there are four main types of emergency contraception: Plan B One-Step, Next Step, Ella, and the Copper Intrauterine Device (IUD). Plan B One-Step is one type of emergency contraception that a female can take after having unprotected sex in order to prevent an unplanned pregnancy. In college, there are a lot of myths and misconceptions surrounding emergency contraception, especially Plan B. So we at XMag decided to get to the bottom of them by creating this comprehensive guide to Plan B One-Step! |
What even is Plan B One-Step?
Just as the packaging says, Plan B One-Step is a small, white pill that the female can take within 72 hours of unprotected sex in order to reduce the chance of pregnancy. What drugs are in Plan B One-Step? Plan B One-Step is a single pill that contains 1.5 mg of levonorgestrel, a type of progestin. Progestin is a synthetic form of a naturally occurring hormone, progesterone. Some women choose to not take hormonal birth control since it does affect hormone levels. So, it is important to note that Plan B One One-Step contains artificial hormones. How does Plan B One-Step work? The levonorgestrel in Plan B One-Step prevents or delays ovulation. Ovulation is the releasing of an egg by an ovary. If no egg is released then your partner’s sperm cannot fertilize anything. In addition, the levonorgestrel will thicken the cervical mucus, which makes it harder for sperm to reach the uterus, and it will thin the uterine lining, which makes it incredibly difficult for a fertilized egg to implant to the uterine lining. Is Plan B One-Step the same as the abortion pill? No, Plan B One-Step prevents ovulation, thickens the mucus, and thins the uterine lining in order to prevent an implantation from occurring. Therefore, this pill doesn’t terminate a pregnancy, but rather, it prevents the initial fertilization of an egg and a sperm or subsequent implantation. On the other hand, the abortion pill is taken to terminate a pregnancy (the fertilized zygote is already implanted in the uterine lining) in its early stages. The only common ground between these two pills are that they should not be used as a regular form of birth control. Where can I buy Plan B One-Step? Plan B One-Step is available for purchase at most drugstores, such as Walgreens, CVS, Walmart, Target, and your very own Habif Health and Wellness Center (SHS)! It is displayed on shelves in the family planning section, and it is most often next to the pregnancy tests. In addition, it is sold to anyone over 15 years of age. How much does Plan B One-Step cost? Plan B One-Step costs anywhere between $40-55.00 in drug stores, and this price varies according to the state and specific store. There are $10 off coupons on Plan B One-Step’s website which make the price a little more manageable. Plus, there are generic brands on amazon, such as Opcicon, which drop the price to around $30.00! The Amazon option is not ideal if you need it right away, but it’s useful if you’re looking to have a few around as backup for you or your friends. Additionally, when picking Plan B up from SHS, using your insurance can significantly drop the price - although be forewarned that your parents may be notified. When should I take Plan B One-Step? This pill is generically referred to as “the morning after pill.” However, it is most effective if taken within 72 hours after having unprotected sex. The sooner you take it, the better. How effective is Plan B One-Step? WebMD states that research has shown Plan B One-Step is very effective as it can reduce the risk of pregnancy by up to 89% if taken within 72 hours and up to 95% if taken within 24 hours. However, if a woman is overweight or obese (with a body max index of 26+) then the effectiveness of Plan B One-Step decreases. For these women, the most effective emergency contraception choice is the copper IUD. What are the side effects of Plan B One-Step? Plan B One-Step’s side effects include nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue, headache, menstrual changes, dizziness, breast tenderness, and vomiting, which can often be mistaken for Post-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS) symptoms. The most common side effect that women report is that their next menstrual period is irregular. These side effects vary in intensity; however, most women report that they experience no side effects. |