PLAN B (Emergency Contraception)
- What is Emergency Contraception?
Emergency Contraception (also known as Plan B or the Morning After Pill)
Did a condom break? Did you forget to take your birth control pills? Did you get caught up in a moment and have sex without using any type of protection at all? Accidents happen – that’s why Teen R.A.P. offers FREE Emergency Contraception (also known as Plan B or the morning after pill).
Emergency Contraception (EC) is a backup plan that helps prevent pregnancy from happening after unprotected sex or birth control failure. It is not for routine use. It is a special dose of the same hormones used in many birth control pills. EC can be taken up to 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex but is most effective the sooner you take it.
- How effective is Emergency Contraception?
Emergency Contraception is safe and effective for reducing your risk of becoming pregnant. It has been shown to reduce the risk of pregnancy after having unprotected sex by 89% when taken within 72 hours (three days) after unprotected sex. Emergency Contraception may continue to reduce the risk of pregnancy up to 120 hours (five days) after unprotected sex, but the sooner you take EC the more effective it will be.
- Is Emergency Contraception safe?
Emergency contraception is safe, and millions of women have used it. Various forms of emergency contraception have been used for more than 30 years. There have been no reports of serious complications. EC can be found over the counter at pharmacies just like other common household medicines like Tylenol and Advil. As long as you read the directions and take the medicine accordingly, you will be fine.
- How much does Emergency Contraception cost?
The average cost for emergency contraception pills, such as Plan B, is between $35 and $60 if you buy it in the pharmacy. Teen R.A.P. offers Plan B free of charge. Just make an appointment to see one of our medical providers. And remember, all sexual health services at Teen RAP are confidential regardless of your age.
- What Emergency Contraception is NOT:
- Emergency Contraception is NOT an abortion pill. It will NOT terminate an existing pregnancy.
- Emergency Contraception is NOT a replacement for a regular method of Birth Control.
- Emergency Contraception will NOT protect you against sexually transmitted diseases.