MORNING AFTER PILL

What is it?
The morning-after pill, Plan B® being the most common brand, is an extremely high dosage of chemical hormones.  These hormones are also found in some types of birth control. 

How does it work?
Plan B® works in one of three ways, depending on where the woman is in her cycle.  If the woman has not ovulated, the pill works as a contraceptive and suppresses ovulation.  If she has ovulated, it can prevent the sperm from coming in contact with the egg.  The final way Plan B® works is post fertilization, also known as conception, the term used for when the egg and sperm unite.  At this point human life has begun and the embryo is making its way through the fallopian tube to implant in the uterus.  This takes about one week.  Plan B®, taken at this point, may prevent the embryo from implanting in the uterus.  This would be an early abortion. 

Are there risks to using Plan B®?
Since Plan B® is a relatively new drug, there has not been much testing on its effects on the body.  Some commonly reported side effects are nausea, abdominal pain, tiredness, headache, menstrual cycles, dizziness, breast tenderness, and vomiting.  Women who use Plan B® may see a change in their cycle, heavier bleeding, lighter bleeding, or a delayed period.

Women who have diabetes should be monitored if taking Plan B®.  Women with pelvic inflammatory disease should not take Plan B® unless closely monitored by a physician.   Unfortunately, many women do not know they have diabetes or pelvic inflammatory disease.

Another risk for women who use the morning-after pill is an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy, which is a pregnancy occurring anywhere outside of the uterus, most commonly in the fallopian tube.  Ectopic pregnancies that go unnoticed can be fatal.

The manufacturers of Plan B® advise women who may have had a previous sexual encounter resulting in a possible pregnancy to not take the morning-after pill, due to harmful effects it could have on a current pregnancy.