Why you gotta love "Plan B"
"Plan B", a "morning-after" pill to prevent pregnancy, has been cleared by the FDA to be sold without a prescription to anyone over 18 years of age.
- To ensure the age requirement is met, Plan B will be stored behind the counter in pharmacies. IDs will be checked.
- Under age 18 requires a doctor's prescription {more about that later}.
I hope we all agree that this a much-needed, major step forward in preventing unwanted pregnancies. And I hope we all agree that this is a worthy goal, that every child should be a wanted child. Did you know:
- There are an estimated 3,000,000 unwanted pregnancies/year (about 1/2 of all pregnancies!) in the U.S.
- Of these, about 1/2 are terminated by abortion and 1/2 are carried to completion.
- Among poor women in 1994-2001, unintended pregnancies resulting in live births increased by almost 50%, while it declined for women in families whose income was at least twice the poverty level.*
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Top 5 reasons you gotta love Plan B:
- "Plan B"could be the coolest name of any medication in the history of the known universe.
- Unlike RU-486 (another "morning-after" pill which prevents the fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus), Plan B works by preventing ovulation in the first place. Since there is no fertilized egg, the moral qualms expressed by some with the use of RU-486 (see my blog on embryo rights) are not in play at all.
- Plan B is a high dose of natural hormone (progestin - found in birth control pills) and, when given as a single dose, appears to be very safe.
- When used within a few days of intercourse, it is about 89% effective in preventing pregnancy.
- Plan B gives women a much better ability to prevent unwanted pregnancies, thereby decreasing the frequency of abortions.
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So what's not to love? Not much, but a few caveats about Plan B:
- It fails to prevent the pregnancy in about 1 of 10 cases (the sooner after intercourse it is taken, the more effective it is), so it is less effective than almost any other birth control method.
- Side effects, while not serious, are common: nausea (23%), abdominal pain (18%), fatigue (17%) , headache (17%), and menstrual changes.
- It does not prevent sexually transmitted diseases.
- It costs $25-$40. Will it be affordable to poor women? Will insurance pay?
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What about teenagers and Plan B?
Here is where Dr. P gets to rant (hey, it's my blog).
The current ruling represents a compromise between those who wanted Plan B available over-the-counter to anyone and those who wanted its availability to teenagers restricted. My understanding is that their rationale (and my response) is:
- "There hasn't been sufficient research as to side effects in the younger ages." I have to believe this is a smoke screen for their real agenda (see below). It's not unusual for there to have been less research on children and Plan B -- which is only given as a one-shot deal and is a long-used hormone, not a new medication -- is very unlikely to be any less safe for a 14-year-old than for an 18-year-old.
- "Plan B would increase teen sexual activity." I assume these are the same groups that have pretty much opposed any information or programs (other than abstinence) to address teen sexuality with this concern. Problem is, in every case so far they've been proven wrong:
- "Sex education in the schools will lead to increased teen sex." Didn't happen.**
- "Condom availability in the school will lead to teens gone wild." Didn't happen***
- "Abortion availability will encourage irresponsible teen sex." Teen sexual activity has decreased over past years, not increased.****
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Not to mention that anyone who actually thinks in this way demonstrates a profound cluelessness about what makes teenagers tick and what does and does not change their behaviors. Consider these two possible scenarios:
- Plan B is available to all and, because of that, a teenage girl, who otherwise would have remained virginal, decides to have sex and/or not use contraception.
- A 14-year-old has unprotected sex (or the condom breaks). She is mortified to tell her parents about it and so tells no one and so doesn't go to a doctor and so can't get Plan B and so has an unwanted pregnancy with which to deal.
You tell Dr. P which you think is a more likely scenario.
Still, the glass is three-quarters full and this new compromise ruling by the FDA makes a decent start. Now let's work to make Plan B available to anyone who desires a safe way to prevent an unwanted pregnancy.
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Sources cited:
*http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/04/AR2006050400820.html
** Franklin, C., et al. "Effectiveness of prevention programs for adolescent pregnancy: a meta-analysis." Journal of Marriage and the Family, 59, 551-567, 1997.
***Susan M. Blake, et al. Condom Availability Programs in Massachusetts High Schools: Relationships With Condom Use and Sexual Behavior. American Journal of Public Health, June 2003.
****http://www.kff.org/youthhivstds/upload/U-S-Teen-Sexual-Activity-Fact-Sheet.pdf
Related Topics: Many Teens Use Condoms Incorrectly, The Teen Brain (WebMD Video)
Technorati Tags: Plan B, emergency contraception, birth control
35 Comments:
A round of Plan B for my mates and I'll have whatever my friend Steve is having!
Flea
I am thrilled about anything that would prevent unwanted pregnancies and/or abortion! Also, it takes a little off the awesome responsiblity of pregnancy possiblity that a woman has when she has sex! Of course I wish everyone would practice safe sex, but let's face it, it dosen't always happen that way. This is one step closer to true equality!!! Hooray!!!
Statistically the increase of sex ed has lead to an increase of sexual activity if you compare data from 20-30 years ago to today. The author cites a study that only shows the last 10 years. His study shows that there has been a slight decrease (although other studies do not support this) and it doesn't comment on the increase in std's and oral sex within teens during the same period. Common sense, and statistical evidence, supports the notion that Plan B will lead to a slight increase in std's with groups already sexually active, and in particular will remove a specific stigma around those considering vaginal sex.
I believe the doctor's comments are right on. I would not agree that 20-40 years ago sex was happening less, just talked about and reported less. There was a stigma then, not as much now. I say Thanks! to whoever signed the dotted line for Plan B. Of the two scenarios, the first one is more likely. And for those who want abortion illegal, remember the wire coat hangers. The abortions won't necessarily stop, they will just move to the alleys with wire coat hangers.
There is nothing wrong with the doctor's reasoning if you consider his moral compass. And no baby is unwanted, even if his parents are selfish.
I must say I am glade that the "plan B is being sold over the counter. I have used the Plan B pill after a accident that I had. I went online and was able to find it at the plane parenthood in which I payed $50.00 for. and to hear that I will be at least 20-40 dollars is good. Not that I would like to have it again becasuse I stayed on my cycle for almost a month. But Its better to have a cycle for a month then not be ready to carry a child for 9 months I have one and I'm not ready just yet for another one.. But I had no side effects and I would recomend the pill to my friends.
This is a joke, right?!? If the Dr truely believes what he's saying, I can't help but question the value of any other comments he makes....
Hey, wake up! Who do you think pays for all those unwanted pregnancies? Not the anti-choice lobby, composed mostly of men who never get pregnant anyway; and not the religious leaders who are quick to condemn people for exercising human nature. No, it's YOU who pay, and also me, in the form of the tax dollars that go to support the healthcare system. And calling for the dismantling of Medicare and Medicaid, as fiscal/political conservatives do, is not the solution either, because someone still will have to take care of all those babies. So let's cheer for Plan B and all the money it will save us in the long run.
I think this is a great idea for those women who think about having abortions. I do think that women and young adolescent women should be better educated about Plan B!
I am glad Plan B is going to be avail OTC-the US I think needs to implement more affordable birth control options. Far too many kids are born to irresponsible people. Unfortunately I think some women will abuse this and instead of saying "my birth control didn't work" they get to say "Plan B didn't work". How about not having unprotected sex in the first place?
disappointed to see/read such a biased article in web MD.
Please stick with proven'known medical issues that are not morally controversial.
If abortion was illegal to begin with, then our tax dollars wouldn't have to be spent on abortions. Plan B is only going to promote promiscuous behavior and increase STD's. If a female decides she wants to have sex and does not have the necessary protection, she will just say "Oh well, there is always Plan B."
Plan B is such a controversial drug, that my gut feeling is to be against it. As a Christian, I believe in abstinence from sexual activity until marriage, so my religious side opposes it. As a pharmacy intern, I've seen the many women who come in with Plan B prescriptions.......and I'll notice that the prescriber has given them sometimes a shocking amount of refills (I've seen one prescription with 5 refills). If one is going to engage in sexual activity and does not wish to become a parent, the USE ADEQUATE PROTECTION or refrain from having sex at all!!! It's that simple. We all know that having unprotected sex comes with a very high change of pregnancy, either get yourself on the "pill" of abstain from sex all together.
Many, many years ago, I thought I was pregnant and since I had been accepted into Nurses training that would have been the worst thing possible at that time. As it turns out, it may have just been merves or I may have had an early spontaneous abortion but I did not have a baby then. Several years later, I worked in a very large labor and delivery department of a big city hospital; it really broke my heart to see the many young girls who ended up with unwanted babies some of which were unadoptable for one reason or another. I also saw what happens to many women who had illegal abortions and then had to come to the hospital to keep from bleeding to death. Hooray for Plan B; its been a long time coming. Lets keep pushing the powers that be to make it avaoilable for all women regardless of age (by the way, some of those babies that were unadoptable were the products of incest which is why this is so important.)
Plan B is a terrible idea. Now, doctors are going to be handing it out like candy in the same way they hand out birth control pills now. Young girls will be using it in the same way, because they don't care, and no one tells them what will happen. These girls are going to find that they CAN'T have babies when they want to because of how badly they have messed up their uteran wall and their cycle. Love your bodies ladies, don't suppress it or destroy it.
Although not universal, in my state Plan B was available to those women who consulted a Pharmacist certified to dispense it. A major problem with its use as an OTC product is that it can be used indescriminately as the sole means of birth control, and with each succeeding dose becomes less effective with a greater risk if increased side effects.
People that use plan b do not have to be responsible for their actions. Yes,that could mean: stds, hiv/aids, AND pregnancy. If you are not ready for the possibility of pregnancy quit sleeping around. You make the rest of us knowledgeable girls look bad.
I still see a moral concern here - women AND men SHOULD be responsible for their sexual behavior. We all know what can happen when you "do the do" - so why not prevent it in the first place without the need to put an end to a process that has already begun (pregnancy). I believe life begins at conception and this pill may interfere with that.
I would like to think that finding a way to promote abstinence in teens would be in their better overall interest than how they can get their hands on these drugs. Just my opinion. Pregnancy is not the biggest concern they face.
Pregnancy can be successfully prevented if both parties are willing to work together. My husband and I have been together over 6 years, and we have successfully avoided pregnancy and gotten pregnant when we wanted - it just takes effort and a sense of responsibility to what you could possibly create with your actions.
www.youngparentsmagazine.com
The author does not correctly represent the true mechanism of Plan B. On the Plan B website it states that Plan B works primarily by preventing ovulation but also by preventing implantation should ovulation occur. This means that for all of us who believe life begins at conception, Plan B is still a moral compromise. I would also like to add that this is the same way regular birth control pills work. They primarily prevent ovulation, but 25% of women still ovulate while taking the pill. So the pill also creates a "hostile" environment in the uterus which makes it nearly impossible for the fertilized egg to implant. So, if you believe life begins at conception please consider this as a factor when/if you take the pill. Most women do not know this and might act differently if they knew they might be aborting their future child each month.
Please, passing it out like candy? Using it for regular birth control? I'd like to point at that the side effects of emergency contraception are often almost unbearable. No woman (or girl) in her right mind would use it for regular birth control, especially when regular birth control is much less expensive. I would also like to point at that sometimes rape victims will not go to the hospital because they are ashamed and blame themselves for being victimized. At least with Plan B being available over-the-counter they could be less likely to end up with their rapist's child, since they won't be pressed by a pharmacist to explain why they need it.
Email me at apachehorse2005@aol.com for further discussion...
I don't really know what to say about this article as well as discussion. You should always do your own research. The doctor writing this article either doesn't know what RU-486 is (abortion pill, not morning after pill) or he believes that his readers are too dumb to know the difference. Anything else that he says should be taken lightly.
R10
many of you people here need to just take things for what it is.... My g-friend and I are careful in our protection/prevention techniques (not like some of you people here make the people that use this medication out to be), but one of those failed on us this weekend. I am glad to see/know that there is an OTC alternative to abortion that can help!!
R10
I don't understand why there isn't a side effects portion to PLAN B here. i took plan B 5 days ago after a condom broke - i know, SO after school special. anyway, i just got my period 5 days after taking it, which is not my normal time. is this OK? can someone with experience let me know? i am not due for a period for 2 weeks and i am usually very regular. i took birth control for 10 years but had to stop b/c it raised my blood pressure. please respond.
thank you!
I'm a 20 year old female who recently used plan B when the condom slipped off at an inopportune time during sex with my long term boyfriend. I'm glad I was educated on plan B so I wouldn't be forced to have a child I'm not ready for. I recommend educating teen girls on emergency contraceptives along with "plan A" contraceptives, emphasizing it's use as a BACKUP.
i am married and took Plan B six days ago because of a careless lapse in my taking my birth control. my period was about two weeks ago and now, as of today, i am starting again. ive looked everywhere on the web and cant figure out if this is normal or if i should make an appointment with my ob...if anyone has experience, id really like some reassurance, and apparently im not the only one.
To married Anonymous that posted on 6/30/07: You said that you took the pill and six days later you started to menstrate, after having your period just 2 weeks prior. Can I ask how many days your induced period lasted? Also, if it gives you any peace of mind, a good friend of mine took the morning after pill and she had bleeding (like a normal period) with in days of taking it. However, she could not remember how long she had bleeding due to taking the morning after pill.
Im glad that Plan B is available over the counter and it only costs 20-40 dollars because i dont think anyone at 18 would like to bring a child in this world and make them feel unwanted, also you are preventing abortions and adoptions because when you are young you are irresponsible about sex which could lead to an unwanted pregnancy but luckily theres a solution.
I have taken plan B and got pregnant anyways, but I still trust it. It is only 89% effective anyways!!!
I would like to say that I think that the plan B is a good thing to have around. It cost $32.50 at Planned Parenthood. There are a lot of women that have been "caught in the moment" and this helps in those times. 9 times out of 10 when you are "caught in the moment" you don't think about using protection. I think it is a great Idea! I haven't used it just thought that it was spectacular in the medical advances.
I could care less if your for abortion or against abortion, for or against the pill. This pill isnt just for stupid people having unprotected sex, what if a condom breaks, what do you do now? what if your only 19 or 20, you dont have a job to support the child, your not educated enough to find a well paying job, not only will you and hopefully your significant other be effected, the child will be severly impacted from this, sometimes shit happens, and sometimes to god people, so when you say you're against the pill or abortion, think about the child and their quality of life
I completely agree with this article...me and my guy don't use condoms like some retards and he ejaculated in me on accident. I took the morning after pill 4 days later and that was yesterday so hopefully it will work but we won't find out for another two weeks.I was dizzy when i first took it and i had a headache after the second pill and throughout i have been having pain in my lower abdomen but otherwise its okay...oh i forgot i've been having crazy mood swings too.
I took plan B about 8 hours after unprotected sex and just figured out I'm pregnant. I'm only 20 years old and am now terrified. I think Plan B is a great option, but you must be warned that it is not always effective (even when used properly.) That being said, I think it's great that it's now available over-the-counter.
I took Plan B approx. 3 weeks ago because of an accident that happened during sex. A week later I got my period. It was heavier than usual and very gross. Four days after my period ended it began again. It is very dark in color and a light flow. Is this normal?
I don't know exactly what Plan B does. Apparantly no one does, but when you have to use it, you have to use it. I had to take it today myself, and it angers me that people think its lack of responsibility that gets you into this mess. Yes, in some cases it is, but in my own, the condom broke. I do not sleep around. I have slept with one man in my entire life and I've been with him for 3 years. So not everyone that takes Plan B deserves to be taught a lesson. Especially not someone as financially unstable as myself. That doesn't make ME suffer. It makes the baby suffer. Being born into an unstable family is not something I would want to happen to my baby. So I took Plan B. If it works, it would be good for me AND what could have been my child. I do not see it as an abortion method.
Oh and another thing. All this talk about abstinence. Yeah, if you're too young, or not in love...fine. But when you're in love with someone like I am and have been for years now, making love comes naturally. People need to get over that.
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