2008 Woodie Awards
Beacon "De-Breifing" Health Column
Where can I get the "morning after pill" and how do I use it safely?
Issue date: 10/13/05 Section: Lifestyle
- Page 1 of 1
The "morning after pill" is really a misleading name. What you are referring to is the Emergency Contraceptive Pill (ECP).
ECP contains the hormone progesterone and can be used to prevent pregnancy up to 120 hours after failed contraception (broken condom) or no contraception used. In general, ECP is safe to use in college-age women. ECP's do not cause a pregnancy to abort, but make it more difficult for sperm to penetrate the egg or for the egg to implant in the uterus.
ECP is taken in two doses 12 hours apart within the 120-hour window of effectiveness. ECP's are 75 to 89 percent effective in preventing pregnancy when taken as indicated. Side effects can include nausea, bloating, headache or vaginal spotting/bleeding.
Plan B is the currently licensed ECP in the United States. It is available by prescription in Massachusetts but is available without prescription in a number of states including California.
The Center for Health & Wellness, Planned Parenthood and all emergency rooms without religious affiliations will provide prescriptions for ECP.
If you do not have a menstrual period within four weeks of use, you should arrange to have a pregnancy test.
Have a question but too nervous to ask it? E-mail beaconhealth@gmail.com. All answers provided by a health care prfoessional at Emerson's Center for Health and Wellness. Anonymity guaranteed. You only need to provide your gender and age.
BERKELEY BEACON DISCLAIMER:
The Berkeley Beacon serves as a health forum. If you or someone you know is experiencing a life-threatening emergency or considering suicide, please seek medical help immediately by calling 911. Emerson's Public Safety will facilitate transport to the nearest hospital and can be reached at (617) 824-8888. For medical care, Emerson's Center for Health and Wellness can be reached at (617) 824-8666.
ECP contains the hormone progesterone and can be used to prevent pregnancy up to 120 hours after failed contraception (broken condom) or no contraception used. In general, ECP is safe to use in college-age women. ECP's do not cause a pregnancy to abort, but make it more difficult for sperm to penetrate the egg or for the egg to implant in the uterus.
ECP is taken in two doses 12 hours apart within the 120-hour window of effectiveness. ECP's are 75 to 89 percent effective in preventing pregnancy when taken as indicated. Side effects can include nausea, bloating, headache or vaginal spotting/bleeding.
Plan B is the currently licensed ECP in the United States. It is available by prescription in Massachusetts but is available without prescription in a number of states including California.
The Center for Health & Wellness, Planned Parenthood and all emergency rooms without religious affiliations will provide prescriptions for ECP.
If you do not have a menstrual period within four weeks of use, you should arrange to have a pregnancy test.
Have a question but too nervous to ask it? E-mail beaconhealth@gmail.com. All answers provided by a health care prfoessional at Emerson's Center for Health and Wellness. Anonymity guaranteed. You only need to provide your gender and age.
BERKELEY BEACON DISCLAIMER:
The Berkeley Beacon serves as a health forum. If you or someone you know is experiencing a life-threatening emergency or considering suicide, please seek medical help immediately by calling 911. Emerson's Public Safety will facilitate transport to the nearest hospital and can be reached at (617) 824-8888. For medical care, Emerson's Center for Health and Wellness can be reached at (617) 824-8666.