This is a sponsored feature. All opinions are 100% from Her Campus.
We regularly hear about women’s bodies on the news, we talk about reproductive rights with our friends, and we read about sexual healthcare online. As important as it is to stay informed, have hard conversations, and address heavy topics, it can be emotionally draining and challenging to know if the information we’re consuming is accurate and reliable.
That’s why we teamed up with Plan B One-Step® to focus on some of the facts about emergency contraception, debunk any myths or misconceptions, and make sure you feel empowered when it comes to your sexual health.
First off – what is emergency contraception?
Between projects, exams, and essays, you have a lot to juggle when you’re in college. So, sometimes you might miss a birth control pill after pulling an exhausting all-nighter, or not realize the condom broke when you were caught up in the moment with the cutie from class. That’s where emergency contraception comes in!
Occasionally referred to as “the morning-after pill,” Plan B emergency contraception prevents pregnancy before it starts, and is a backup method to use when there is a missed birth control pill, the condom broke, or after unprotected sex. It’s not meant to be used as a primary form of birth control like birth control pills, IUDs, and condoms.
One example of a safe and effective emergency contraception option is Plan B, which is the #1 OB/GYN recommended brand, and is found on the shelf at all major retail stores – which means it doesn’t require a prescription or ID to purchase.
How does Plan B work?
Plan B helps to prevent pregnancy before it starts by temporarily delaying ovulation. If it’s been a while since your last sex ed class and you need a refresher, that means Plan B temporarily delays the release of an egg from the ovary. So, there’s no egg to meet the sperm, no fertilization, and no pregnancy.
Is Plan B an abortion pill?
Nope, it’s not! Remember: Plan B helps prevent pregnancy before it ever starts. In addition to it not being an abortion pill, if you happen to already be pregnant, then Plan B won’t be effective, and it won’t harm an existing pregnancy.
When should I take Plan B?
The most important thing to know about when to take Plan B is that the sooner you take it, the better it works. Plan B must be taken within 72 hours (that’s 3 days!) after unprotected sex.
What happens if I take Plan B too many times?
A common misconception is that if you take Plan B more than once, it will impact your ability to get pregnant in the future – which is totally false! While you shouldn’t be using Plan B as your regular form of birth control (because it’s not as effective), it doesn’t affect a person’s future fertility when taken whenever you need it after unprotected sex.
If you happen to find yourself taking it often, talk to your doctor or nurse on-campus about more effective primary birth control options – like an IUD, condoms, a birth control shot, or birth control pills.
Does taking Plan B interfere with my primary birth control?
Did you go home for Thanksgiving break, reconnect with your high school partner, and totally forget to bring your pill pack? If you’re on the pill you can still take Plan B without worrying that it will impact the effectiveness of your regular birth control method. If you missed a dose of your primary birth control option, you can use Plan B as a backup option to help prevent pregnancy. After taking Plan B, you can and should resume your regular birth control right away. Remember: Plan B doesn’t provide long-term protection against future pregnancy — it works to help prevent pregnancy after only one act of unprotected sex or birth control failure.
Does Plan B also help prevent HIV/AIDS or other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)?
No, it does not! Plan B won’t protect you against HIV/AIDS or any other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
Where can I buy Plan B?
The next time you and your roomies are headed to the store to buy the essentials for your dorm, check out where you can find Plan B (it’s usually near other sexual health items like condoms!), so if you ever need it, you’ll know exactly where it is. Plan B is available at all major retailers and pharmacies in all 50 U.S. states and via same-day delivery through most delivery apps and retail websites. To find out where to buy Plan B near you, head to PlanBOneStep.com/where-to-buy-plan-b.
Remember: whether you accidentally snoozed your pill reminder alarm, forgot to use a condom, or used a condom and didn’t realize it broke, you should feel in control of your sex life. Being confident about having the right information about emergency contraception and feeling comfortable prioritizing your sexual and reproductive health is super important.
For more information about Plan B, head to PlanBOneStep.com.
