Pillow Talk with Diana: Should I Stock Up on Plan B?

September 23, 2008 - 5:00 pm By Diana - NYU

Q:What exactly is “Plan B”, that abortion pill, and should I really stock up now in case I need it later?

A: Ladies, listen up: Plan B is NOT the abortion pill. Not by any stretch of the imagination.

So what is it if it’s not the abortion pill? Basically, Plan B what it sounds like — it’s your backup plan, meant to be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure, to prevent pregnancy. In fact, Plan B contains levonorgestrel, an ingredient found in many regular birth control pills — but in a higher dose and in two pills, taken 12 hours apart. Again, Plan B only prevents pregnancy; it doesn’t terminate an existing one, like the abortion pill would.

That being said, yes, stock up! Plan B is now available at pharmacies without a prescription if you’re 18 or older. Whether you’re boinking every hour on the hour or in a dry spell, it will give you some peace of mind to know you have a “sh*t happens” plan. My friend recently needed it, and although she was able to get it within a few hours, not everyone is so lucky. Plan B reduces the chance of pregnancy by up to 89%, but it’s more effective when taken sooner rather than later.

Get it now, on your next tampon run, and you won’t have to deal with any what ifs down the road. You may never need it, but if you do, whether it’s because of a broken (or forgotten) condom, or a sexual assault, the last thing you need to be doing is freaking out and driving at 3AM in search of an open pharmacy. If you’re shy about asking for it, you can print out a request card for it on www.go2planb.com and just hand that to the pharmacist. Don’t worry, you won’t be the first to do it.

Of course, once you have it, it shouldn’t be your primary method of birth control. It’s up to 89% effective, so if you use it irresponsibly, you’ll soon become part of the other 11%. Have safe sex, have extra condoms on hand (enough for you and a friend!), and consider using a birth control pill if you’re having sex regularly.

For more information on how to use Plan B, head to www.go2planb.com.

Mara says:
Tue, 23rd Sep 20085:16 pm

I had to use it once and it was pretty expensive – $50. Worth it obviously, but it’s useful to know that there are some types of regular pills you can take in heavier dosage that do basically the same thing. This site is pretty helpful: http://ec.princeton.edu/questions/dose.html#dose

LucyInTheSky says:
Tue, 23rd Sep 20085:29 pm

I feel it’s irresponsible to not stress the side effects of this drug. I’ve taken it, and it was not pleasant- extreme nausea and dizziness during both doses, and it messed up my cycle for the next two months.

Surely, take it if you need it, but it’s not enough to simply state, “Don’t use this as your primary form of birth control.”

ela says:
Tue, 23rd Sep 20085:38 pm

idk how someone would have to stock up…and be in that situation that many times in their life…yikes…stressful.

C says:
Tue, 23rd Sep 20086:09 pm

Note to anyone planning on picking Plan B up from a local pharmacy (and yes in my experience these issues have come up)

-Some insurance companies DO help with the costs however in order to bill them the pharmacy needs a prescription from your doctor. They can not “make one up” even if you ask nicely.

-Pharmacies are places of business, they will not hand out Plan B for free (unless it’s covered by your insurance). If your prescription less and worried about cost call local pharmacies in advance and get a price check.

-Don’t let a fear of being judged stop you from asking questions or getting Plan B. Pharmacists are people to and in their day to day job they come into contact with people way stranger than a girl being sex smart.

Diana - NYU says:
Tue, 23rd Sep 20086:59 pm

Thanks for commenting everyone!

LucyInTheSky – You’re right, some women do experience some nasty side effects from Plan B, one of the many reasons you should be super careful with your regular birth control use—you don’t want to have to make the choice between nausea, dizziness and a messed-up cycle and having to worry all month about your period arriving!

Ela – Hopefully there’s no need to rent out storage space just for your Plan B, but condoms break and accidents happen–better to be safe than sorry (and worried) and have two or three packs on hand.

And thanks to C and Mara for the useful info! I’d love to hear more about CC readers’ experiences with Plan B, from getting it to the side effects…keep sharing!

Laura says:
Tue, 23rd Sep 20087:58 pm

I would suggest that you maybe buy 1 pack.. JUST ONE in advance to have on hand. Then if that one is used get a new one. As a pharmacy technician (and pharmacy student) I can not agree with the previous post of stocking up on TWO OR THREE(?!?!?!) Seriously? Unless you are not on birth control AND forget (very often) about using protection, than there is absolutely no need for more than one backup. Even if using the ‘a friend may need it’ excuse, your friends will not all want to borrow your PlanB on the same day/night.

Seriously though, medications EXPIRE, and make sure (even if you do decide to stock up on 2 or 3 packs) that you throw out EVERY expired pack EVERY TIME! Pills become ineffective after a certain amount of time on the shelf, and while some still work past their expiration date, this is not a med to gamble that with. Also, would you really be happy with yourself if you blew the money on 3 boxes and after a year passed (and the exp. date hit) you hadn’t needed them at all?! That is something one SHOULD be proud of, but the wastage of so-much-money would ruin that.

Mollie says:
Tue, 23rd Sep 20089:13 pm

Really, the point that should have been extremely stressed is that if you think you are going to need Plan B in the future you should really be on birth control and be using condoms. But yes, a pack of Plan B is great to have on hand.

Hilary says:
Tue, 23rd Sep 200810:19 pm

I’ve had to use the Plan B Pill in 2 emergency situations, and it was worth every penny….. but I agree with the above comments. If you are planning on being sexually active, you should be on birth control. I guess it wouldnt hurt to have 1 of these puppies on hand but they are around $40 a pop so…. yeah..

I remember the first time I had to use it I got SOOOOO nauseus… it was horrible. But the 2nd time I was fine..

Jackie says:
Tue, 23rd Sep 200811:22 pm

Depending on what part of the country you are in you can get Plan B for free. For example, Planned Parenthood in the Hudson Valley Area of NY gives it out for free.

Also, I never had side effects with Plan B-and I am speaking as someone with a weak stomach who gets frequently nauseous–it all depends on your body’s reaction to the drug, just like any other.

sara says:
Thu, 25th Sep 200812:24 am

I had to take Plan B once, and it was definitely worth it. I was only 17 at the time, so it was kind of a pain to get it through a friend but I’m so glad I did instead of taking the gamble. It didn’t make me nauseous at all- if anything it made me feel GOOD and put me at peace-of-mind. However, it was $45 for 2 of the smallest pills I’ve seen in my LIFE. I definitely do not believe it is necessary to “stock up” on Plan B. I’m all about planning for accidents or worst case scenarios, but WHY someone would spend that money just to be prepared- instead of “hassle” to get it at 3am or the next morning a few hours later is beyond me. No offense intended I just don’t find it necessary to buy in advance, buying when I needed it worked out just fine for me

Valerie says:
Mon, 29th Sep 20087:18 pm

Does the cost vary by state? Or maybe its gotten more expensive… But when I was living in Minnesota I had to take it. But it was only $17, and that was at a regular pharmacy. I think too, if you’re near a planned parenthood its much cheaper, and the cost is also based on income. Not that anyone seems confused about it, but RU486 is the abortion pill, and is NOT something you can stock up on.

Elza says:
Fri, 26th Jun 200912:32 am

I am lucky enough to have an incredibly thoughtful boyfriend who went to the pharmacy with me and paid for half of the cost. I’m also responsible enough to use birth control and condoms every time I have intercourse. Unfortunately, accidents do happen (such as a broken condom in my case), and having this for peace of mind is wonderful.

Going to websites for Plan B and Planned Parenthood, they do suggest keeping a box on hand, but it is critical to pay attention to the expiration dates. They also suggest taking it with food to prevent nausea, similar to other medications where nausea is a possible side effect.

Plan B should not substitute for responsible sexual habits. It’s there for mistakes that all people can make, which is lovely.

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12 Comments		Posted in Advice, Relationships, Sex
		Tags: abortion pill, Advice, bc, birth control, boyfriend, condoms, contraception, dating, Friends, levonorgestrel, pilllow talk with diana, pillow talk, plan b, protection, Relationships, Sex, sex advice, the pill

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