Emergency Contraception (Plan B) What is Plan B? <ul> <li> No matter how careful you are, accidents happen. Plan B is an emergency contraception medication used to prevent pregnancy after sex when birth control wasn’t used or failed to work. </li> <li> It comes as two pills. </li> <li> Some people call it “the Morning After Pill”. </li> <li> You can now get Plan B without a prescription at most pharmacies. </li> <li> You can get Plan B for FREE at the Sexual Health Clinic. </li> </ul> Who can take Plan B? <ul> <li> Almost all women can take Plan B safely. </li> <li> You should NOT use Plan B if you know you are pregnant (mainly because it won’t work). Note: If you think you are pregnant from other unprotected sex that happened over a week ago, consider getting a pregnancy test first before using Plan B. Tests are available at any pharmacy, or for free at the Sexual Health Clinic. What counts as unprotected sex? Unprotected sex includes the following: </li> <li> You had sex but aren’t on any birth control, or the birth control you used was inadequate. </li> <li> A condom broke, or fell off, and you aren’t on any other birth control. </li> <li> You missed two or more birth control pills in a pack. </li> <li> You were more than a week late for your birth control injection (“ Depo-Provera”). Note: Plan B also can be used if you were forced to have sex. If this happens the Sexual Health Clinic is available to help you.</li> </ul> When should I take the Plan B pills? <ul> <li> Swallow the 2 Plan B pills together as soon as possible. </li> <li> If you take 2 pills at once you do NOT need to take any more pills later on. </li> <li> This method is different than what the package says to do, but we know it works as well as taking the 2 pills separately. </li> </ul> What WILL Plan B do? <ul> <li> If taken within 24 hours of unprotected sex, Plan B will reduce the chances of pregnancy by about 95%. </li> <li> If taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, Plan B will reduce the chances of pregnancy by about 75%. </li> <li> Plan B may work up to 5 days after unprotected sex. </li> <li> You can expect a period within 1-3 weeks of taking Plan B. See your health care provider for a pregnancy test if you don’t get a period within 3 weeks. </li> </ul> What will Plan B NOT do? <ul> <li> Plan B will NOT prevent pregnancy all of the time. </li> <li> Plan B will NOT stop a pregnancy if you’re already pregnant. </li> <li> Plan B will NOT protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV or AIDS. </li> </ul> Are there any side effects? Serious side effects are rare, but you may experience: <ul> <li> Bleeding or spotting between periods </li> <li> Your period may come at a different time than usual </li> <li> Nausea (feeling sick) and vomiting (puking) </li> <li> Abdominal (stomach) pain </li> <li> Headache or feeling tired </li> </ul> Can I take anything to stop feeling sick? <ul> <li> If you want you can take a half or a whole anti-nausea pill (Gravol, 50 mg pill) 30 minutes before taking </li> <li> Plan B to prevent vomiting (puking). </li> <li> If you do vomit (puke) within 1 hour after taking the Plan B pills, Plan B might not work; and you should try to take 2 Plan B pills again. </li> </ul> Can I take Plan B whenever I have unprotected sex? <ul> <li> Use Plan B as emergency contraception only. </li> <li> Using Plan B frequently is not harmful, it’s just not a reliable method of birth control </li> <li> If you think you are going to have sex, use a more reliable method of birth control. </li> </ul> What if I take Plan B and don’t know that I’m pregnant? <ul> <li> The effect of Plan B on the outcome of a pregnancy is unknown. </li> <li> We do know that babies exposed to hormones similar to Plan B before they were born were not harmed by these hormones. </li> </ul> What should I do after I finish taking Plan B? <ul> <li> If you have sex again, use reliable birth control. </li> <li> If you have birth control pills, you can start a new pack right away after taking Plan B. You do not have to wait for your period to start. </li> <li> Make sure you see your health care provider for a pregnancy test if you don’t get a period within 3 weeks after taking Plan B. </li> <li> You can visit the Sexual Health Clinic to discuss birth control, screening for STIs, having a Pap test, an unplanned pregnancy, or anything else you want. </li> </ul> What if I get pregnant despite taking Plan B? <ul> <li> If you are pregnant, get help early. </li> <li> Consider your options and make the choice that is right for you. </li> </ul> If you need emergency contraception or have any questions please call the Sexual Health Line at 571-8379 or by email: <a href="mailto:FPC@brandonrha.mb.ca"> FPC@brandonrha.mb.ca </a>

Emergency Contraception (Plan B)

What is Plan B?

No matter how careful you are, accidents happen. Plan B is an emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy after sex when birth control wasn’t used or failed to work.
It comes as two pills.
Some people call it The Morning After Pill.
You can now get Plan B without a prescription at most pharmacies.
You can get Plan B for FREE at the Sexual Health Clinic.

Who can take Plan B?

Almost all women can take Plan B safely.
Contact a health care professional to see if Plan B is the right option for you.

What is unprotected sex?

Unprotected sex includes the following:

You had sex but aren’t on any birth control, or the birth control you used was inadequate.
A condom broke, or fell off, and you aren’t on any other birth control.
You have been late or missed your birth control

How should I take Plan B?

Follow the package insert or your ask your health care provider.

What WILL Plan B do?

If taken within 24 hours of unprotected sex, Plan B will reduce the chances of pregnancy by about 95%.
If taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, Plan B will reduce the chances of pregnancy by about 75%.
Plan B can be taken up to 5 days after unprotected sex.
See your health care provider for a pregnancy test if you don’t get a period when expected.

What will Plan B NOT do?

Plan B will NOT guarantee that you will not become pregnant.
Plan B will NOT stop a pregnancy if you’re already pregnant.
Plan B will NOT protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Are there any side effects?

Serious side effects are rare, but you may experience:

Bleeding or spotting between periods
Your period may come at a different time than usual
Nausea (feeling sick) and vomiting (throwing up)
Abdominal (stomach) pain
Headache or feeling tired

Can I take Plan B whenever I have unprotected sex?

Use Plan B as emergency contraception only.

If you need emergency contraception or have any questions please call the Sexual Health Program:
Ph: 578-2513
E-mail: sexualhealthprogram@brandonrha.mb.ca