In 2006, Plan B One Step became the first emergency contraceptive pill available to women in the aisle of any local drug store. Eight years later, it is still the topic of many conversations around the country.
To its core, according to drugs.com, Plan B contains levonorgestrel, which is a “female hormone that prevents ovulation…it makes it harder for a sperm to fertilize an egg.” This pill is used to “prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or failure of birth control” and is to be taken “within 72 hours after sex,” according to planbonestep.com.
What some women do not realize is that Plan B One Step is not a substitute to birth control. It is meant for one time use in an emergency situation. If women find themselves taking Plan B more than twice a month, they should reexamine their birth control method and choose another option that might better suit their lifestyle.
On one hand, emergency contraceptives help against unwanted pregnancies caused by rape and other sexual encounters. Planbonestep.com says it is “just one pill, so you get what you need right away.”
According to homepages.rpi. edu, Planned Parenthood founder Margaret Sanger, who is in favor for the morning after pill, says these are the three main arguments against emergency contraceptives:
“ 1. Contraceptive argument: women who take this drug block pregnancy and sets her will against the human good of procreation.
2. Abortion argument: women can’t know whether it will or won’t cause an early abortion if the egg has already been fertilized, so she is willing and accepting abortion as a possible outcome.
3. Morning after pill argument: it is robbing sex of its human meaning: reproduction.”
In addition to these Con Arguments, other side effects include nausea, vomiting, heavy periods, lower abdominal pain and breast tenderness. It also does not prevent STDs or STIs and does not stop a current pregnancy.
Both women and men need to be aware of the pros and cons of Plan B One Step. Men can be just as responsible as women and should know the facts before spending $50 on a back up plan. People must be smart, responsible and aware of what fits their lifestyle.