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Emergency Contraception Overview

Emergency contraception, also referred to as Plan B, is currently available in the United States only with a prescription. Many advisory committees have recommended that the Food and Drug Administration make emergency contraception available over the counter, in order to provide easier accesses to treatment.  The emergency contraceptive pills reduce the risk of pregnancy in women who take them within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse.

The Concerns and Benefits of Emergency Contraception
Women that have immediate access to emergency contraception are more likely to seek treatment sooner, when it is more effective. Having emergency contraception available over the counter may help reduce the number of unplanned pregnancies and abortions in the United States.

The major argument presented by opponents of over the counter availability of emergency contraception is that women will lose the opportunity for an evaluation and counseling by a health care provider if they are able to acquire the medication without a prescription.

An office encounter, according to opponents, might be beneficial in determining whether nonconsensual sex occurred and enable providers to discuss sexually transmitted infection and the importance of regular contraception methods.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists however and the American Medical Association have supported over the counter availability. However, the acting director of the FDA has stated that data existing regarding the drug's safety in adolescent girls younger than age 16 year is unclear, thus the legislation has not yet been approved.

Controversy over Emergency Contraception
There has been a great deal of unrest and dissatisfaction amount health care advocates and women regarding the decision to prohibit over the counter availability of emergency contraception.

There is a large body of evidence supporting the notion that emergency contraception is safe in all populations, and suggesting that availability of contraception over the counter may reduce the risk of unwanted pregnancy in teens and adult women alike.

When used within 24 hours, the risk of pregnancy is only .4% in women using Plan B. That risk climbs slightly to 2.7% when used within 48 hours after sex, and increases thereafter.

Emergency Contraception works by preventing ovulation or uterine implantation of the egg. The dosage of emergency contraception is approximately the same as 10 oral contraceptive pills. It is available currently in 101 countries.

Other forms of emergency contraception are available, including those that contain a combination of ethinyl estradiol and levonorgestrel. The Plan B product however generally results in less cramping, nausea and vomiting.

Plan B is still available by prescription. The pill pack contains two tablets of levonorgestrel that contain .75 mg of contraception. The pills should be taken twelve hours apart within 72 hours of intercourse. The cost is minimal at approximately $30.

There is also evidence to suggest that levonorgestrel can be administered in a single dose of 1.5 mg, making its ease of use and convenience unsurpassed.

Additional Risks and Follow Up
Women who use emergency contraception should be aware that a risk of pregnancy still exists if intercourse is continued without protection after emergency contraception pills are taken. A barrier method is recommended to prevent pregnancy for the duration of a woman's cycle.

At this time there isn't any contraindication to administering a second dose of emergency contraception if a second episode of unprotected intercourse occurs soon after the first.

Menstrual bleeding will typically occurs within one week of a woman's expected period when Plan B is used. There is still a small chance of pregnancy however, and if a woman's period does not show up a woman is advised to take a pregnancy test.

Women are more likely to prevent unwanted pregnancies if they are given a home supply of emergency contraception in addition to their primary contraception. The facts are clear. Unwanted pregnancies are much less likely to occur in women who have adequate access to emergency contraception. Getting that access is still a debated issue.

Emergency Contraception Pill Article