Every young woman should and truly can take care of her health and body. The modern possibilities of pharmacology give you this opportunity.
Today, there is no need to wait and worry: “Will menstruation come after unprotected sex or not”. You can use Plan B or Plan B One Step. It’s a type of emergency contraception. Protect yourself from unwanted pregnancy or abortion.
How does it work and what is the difference between Plan B and Plan B One Step?
This is a birth control method that may prevent pregnancy. You can use it, only in cases when you are not sure about reliability of used contraceptives, or did not use them at all. This remedy does not work if you are already pregnant.
Depending on where you are in your period, Plan B or Plan B One-Step may work in one of these ways:
- It may prevent or delay ovulation.
- It may interfere with fertilization of an egg.
It is also possible that this type of birth control can be prevented by the implantation of a fertilized egg in the uterus by altering its lining.
Plan B contains 0.75 mg of levonorgestrel in one pill, and it is necessary to take two pills. The first one within 72 hours after the unprotected intercourse.
Plan B One Step contains 1.5 mg of levonorgestrel in one pill, it is necessary to take only one pill within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse.
There is no difference in the effectiveness of these two pills. If you follow the instructions, the result will be the same. This is your personal choice.
Today, Plan B and Plan B One Step are available in pharmacies and medical centers for all woman age up17. But you must show the proof of age. They are available to woman younger than age 17, if they have a prescription from the doctor.
When should Plan B or Plan B One Step be used and its effectiveness.
Women often call them “morning after pill”. But, of course, there is no need to wait until morning. The bottom line is to take this pill as soon as possible after the unprotected sex.
Here are the main cases in which you should take a birth control pill:
- you had an unprotected sex
- the condom tore or came off
- the diaphragm slipped out of place
- you missed at least two or three active birth control pills in a row
- you are not sure of such methods of prevention as an interrupted sexual intercourse and / or a calendar method
- you have another reason to think your sex was unprotected
- you were forced to have sex.
Speaking about the effectiveness of this method of birth control, how effective is Plan B One Step?
If you take it within 72 hours after you’ve had the unprotected sex, Plan B One-Step can reduce the risk of pregnancy by up to 89%. If you take Plan B One-Step within 24 hours, it is about 95% effective.
But there is one very important thing that you must remember. These are not regular contraceptives. Constant use of them should not become your habit. This is your insurance in unforeseen cases, that’s why it’s called Plan B.
How to take these pills and if side effects are possible?
After you have chosen and bought a suitable for you Plan B or Plan B One Step, you need to take it, strictly following the prescriptions.
If you are taking Plan B, take one pill within 72 hours after unprotected sex and another pill 12 hours later.
If you are taking Plan B One-Step, take a single pill as soon as possible and within 72 hours of unprotected sex.
Remember: Plan B or Plan B One-Step will not protect you from getting pregnant if you have sex after taking the pills. Instead, you need to take it right after you have unprotected sex.
Potential side effects of Plan B or Plan B One-Step include:
- nausea
- abdominal pain
- fatigue
- headache
- menstrual changes
- dizziness
- breast sensitivity
- vomiting
- diarrhea
Also, after taking these pills, your menstrual period can change. Menstruation can begin earlier or later than the due date. But if it has not started in three weeks from day- X you should buy a pregnancy test. Then you will be sure that you are not pregnant.
And remember, that you can control your life and your future yourself.