Little Known Emergency Contraception Facts

It appears that people are finally becoming more aware of emergency contraception. Though most people don't realize that emergency contraception has been available for more than 30 years. It is a safe and effective contraceptive method that women can choose as a way to prevent a pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse or contraceptive failure.

Here is my "Top Picks" list of five little know facts about emergency contraception:

1. According to the medical world, emergency contraception is thought to be one of the best-kept secrets in the healthcare field. Emergency contraception is offered in a few ways: Plan B One-Step(also known as the morning-after pill), ParaGard IUD, Next Choice (generic Plan B), Ella or a special regimen of birth control pills.
2. Plan B One-Step is sold, over the counter, at pharmacies. The catch? You have to be 17 or older to buy it without a prescription. It can be sold to either women or men; teenagers (under 17) can only obtain it with a doctor's prescription (but in many states, this can be achieved without parental notification), and there are 9 states that have pharmacy-access policies that allow women of any age to obtain Plan B One-Step from participating pharmacists at select pharmacies without a prescription. A prescription is required to buy Ella -- no matter what your age is.
3. Many believe that emergency contraception is the same thing as an abortion. This isn't true - Plan B One-Step doesn't work if you are already pregnant and does not harm a developing fetus. It is also not the same thing as RU-486 (the abortion pill).
4. To be most effective, Plan B One-Step should be started up to 3 days (72 hours) after unprotected sex (but may still be effective up to 5 days/120 hours) - the sooner it is obtained, the better the chances of preventing pregnancy (so it's good to have it on hand, just incase).
5. The morning-after pill is a misleading name because Plan B One-Step does not necessarily have to be taken the morning after unprotected sex occurs.

• The Emergency Contraception Debate
• Who Can Buy Plan B One-Step
• Emergency Contraception Quiz

_{Emergency Contraception Photo © 2009 Dawn Stacey}