“Sex-iversity is a question and answer column designed to provide answers and important information regarding sex, sexuality, sexual orientation, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and reproductive rights. Voiced by Julia Kristan, a member of Voices for Planned Parenthood (VOX) branch at the University of Massachusetts and an active volunteer for the Everywoman’s Center on the UMass campus, the column is intended to help educate the university community about reproductive health, rights, legislature and responsibilities. Much of the statistical information provided in this column derives from research done through and obtained by Planned Parenthood and its national affiliates.
Q: What is the “morning after” pill? And how can I get it in an emergency?
A: The “morning after” pill is more formally referred to as emergency contraception (EC), and is a pill (or a set of pills) containing a high dosage of female hormones. It is up to 98 percent effective if taken within 120 hours of having unprotected sex. The sooner it is taken within that time period, the better. It reduces the chance of becoming pregnant from a single act of unprotected sex from approximately 8 percent to 1-2 percent. There are typically two pills in a dose, which used to be taken exactly 12 hours apart. This has recently changed into taking both pills in one dosage, as soon as possible. It has been found to be as effective, or even more so, when the two pills are taken at the same time.
What the EC does is one of two things: it either prevents an egg from releasing from the ovary or it changes the uterine lining, therefore preventing a fertilized egg from implanting. The older versions of the “morning after” pill made most women sick, to the point of nausea and vomiting. Today’s version is called Plan B and is much less unpleasant. It contains no estrogen, so nearly all the side effects are eliminated or reduced greatly.
The best way to obtain EC is by checking with your doctor. If you are not comfortable with going to your primary care doctor or Ob/Gyn, call or visit a Planned Parenthood in the area. You can also call 1-888-NOT-2-LATE (yes, it works even with the extra number) for information on where else EC can be obtained. The Planned Parenthood website, www.pplm.org (Massachusetts only), has an information page complete with a page to order EC online. Be warned: the online ordering is not 24/7. As UMass students, you can also head down to Health Services and speak with someone there; the pharmacy at UHS carries EC.
Through your primary care physician, EC may or may not be covered on your insurance. Your best bet is to call your insurance company and ask now, when you’re not in an emergency situation. With an appointment at Planned Parenthood, EC is available at a sliding scale cost based on ability to pay. You can also opt to pay for the visit and prescription entirely out-of-pocket if you do not want to go through insurance.
Emergency contraception is not to be used as a primary source of birth control; it is a back-up measure only. The effects of taking it regularly are not yet fully understood. However, taking high doses of female hormones regularly probably isn’t the healthiest thing you could be doing for yourself. Even the smaller doses of birth control can cause women myriads of problems. Abusing the benefits of EC could be detrimental to your health.
What the EC does not do is give you an abortion. It is not the “abortion pill.” There is an abortion pill out there called RU 486, and perhaps that will be the topic of another column. So if you are already pregnant from another act of sexual intercourse, EC will not abort the fetus. Please note that it is not recommended to take if a pregnancy is suspected, and you will not be given a prescription for it if this is the case. Emergency contraception works as other hormonal birth control methods.
There are some definite drawbacks with the current system of having EC as a prescription drug. In the real world, most acts of unprotected or unwanted sex happen on weekends, when it’s not possible to get a prescription. Precious time is wasted when the pills could be doing their job in your body. There is a movement now to get EC available through pharmacies as an over-the-counter purchase. Many pharmacies and groups are opposing this move, crying that women and young girls especially, will not think twice about unprotected sex if they know they can get EC readily.
I would argue differently, although the door is open to have women and girls abusing the health measure. Emergency contraception is important in many situations. If the condom breaks, if you are sexually assaulted, if you missed a pill or if you just didn’t use any protection, EC is a life-saving option if you do not wish to become pregnant. I urge women and men to take responsibility for their actions sexually, and realize seriously that pregnancy is always possible. In the struggle to have free choices for women and their health, it is vital that all options remain open. Having EC there for people when they need it is an important health care decision.
Education is another key component in choosing when and with whom to become pregnant. There are numerous methods in contraception, two of which I discussed last week. Go out and read up on them. Ask doctors and health care professionals questions; this column is not meant to substitute information from them. Arm yourself with knowledge. Back up your birth control consistently. Utilize EC when needed. And as always, communicate with your partner(s).
For more information, visit www.pplm.org or www.cecinfo.org.
