Emergency Contraceptive Pill

What do you do if, in the heat of the moment, you don't use a condom? Or you forget to take the Pill?

Or you are sexually assaulted and think you might get pregnant? Plan B is an emergency contraceptive that can be taken within 72 hours of when you had sex.

Plan B is available over the counter in Canada and in some US states. It is 89% effective when taken properly. You will get two tablets. The first one is taken orally as soon as possible within 72 hours of unprotected sex. The second one can be taken at the same time or up to 12 hours after the first. The sooner they're taken, the more effective they are. The pills are not effective if you are already pregnant; they prevent fertil- ization and implantation, but don't terminate a pregnancy. They also do nothing in terms of protecting you from STIs.

Other stuff to know about Plan B:

* Plan B can be taken up to five days after sex, but its effectiveness drops to only 58%!!!

* Side effects may include nausea and your next period coming early.

* If you throw up within one hour of taking either pill, talk to your pharmacist or doctor about getting another pill.

Imogen Birchard