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It is so rare to find your true LOVE. And sometimes you need full relaxation and just happiness and love. If you
are lucky you can have a very special day full of love, flowers, romantic dinner and paradise night.
What if you had unexpected romantic day and you absolutely forgot that you are on ovulation period and you did
not protect yourself from pregnancy?
Don’t worry! There are easy solutions called Plan B or emergency contraception.
Plan B is a kind of contraception which used as an emergency procedure to prevent unwanted pregnancy
which could happen after unprotected sexual intercourse. Plan B can be used in following cases:
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when no contraceptive has been used, |
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when contraceptive methods failed (missed pills, condom rupture, diaphragm dislodgement, etc.),
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when girl or woman has been a victim of the sexual attack (abuse). |
There are two kinds of Plan B and/or emergency contraception:
1. emergency contraceptive pills (progestogen-only or combined oestrogen-progestogen oral contraceptives);
2. copper-releasing intrauterine devices (IUDs).
Plan B should be used within 3 days (72 hours) after unprotected sexual contact.
Combined pills (oestrogen-progestogen pills) for Plan B
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Two pills should be taken as the first dose as soon as possible after unprotected sexual contact but no later than 72 hours. It should be followed by another two pills after 12 hours. |
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OR |
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Four pills can be taken as the first dose as soon as possible (same as above). It should be followed by another four pills after 12 hours. |
Progestogen-only pills for Plan B
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A single dose of 1.5 mg levonorgestrel should be taken as soon as possible after unprotected sexual contact but no later than 72 hours. |
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OR |
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One dose of 0.75 mg can be taken as the first dose as soon as possible (same as above). It should be followed by the same dose after 12 hours. |
Plan B with combined pills reduce the risk of pregnancy after unprotected sexual contact by about 56%-89% if
taken within 72 hours. Plan B with progestogen-only pills reduce the risk by about 60%-93% if taken within 72
hours.
In general the probability of the pregnancy after one unprotected sexual contact is 8%. Women who use Plan B
(emergency contraception) are able to reduce the pregnancy risk to 1%-2%. The efficacy is better the sooner
Plan B (emergency contraception) is used after unprotected sex.
In general Plan B with emergency contraception pills are 95% effective if taken within 24 hours; 85% effective if
taken within 25-48 hours and 58% effective if taken within 49-72 hours.
Mode of action for Plan B with hormonal pills:
Hormonal emergency contraception achieves its contraceptive effect by several mechanisms depending on
the time in a woman’s cycle it is taken. It can inhibit or delay ovulation and may also interact with ovum and
sperm transport, and fertilization. Studies differ on whether hormonal emergency contraception can cause
changes in the endometrium that would be sufficient to interfere with implantation. There is no evidence that
hormonal emergency contraception dislodges the embryo after implantation has occurred.
Side-Effects of Plan B with hormonal pills:
• Nausea: occurs in about 50% of clients using combined emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs), but it does
not usually last more than 24 hours. Nausea occurs in approximately 20% of women using progestogen-only
ECPs.
• Vomiting: occurs in about 20% of clients using combined ECPs and 5% of women using the progestogen-
only ECPs. When the combined regimen is used, anti-emetic pre-treatment may be considered; with the
levonorgestrel-only regimen this is unnecessary. If vomiting occurs within one hour after taking a dose, it is
common practice to repeat the dose. However, there is no evidence that this improves efficacy; indeed,
vomiting can be an indication that the hormone has been absorbed.
In case of vomiting, further pills may be administered vaginally. Although there are no clinical data supporting
the efficacy of this practice, contraceptive steroid hormones are known to be readily absorbed from the vagina.
• Irregular uterine bleeding: some women may experience spotting after taking ECPs. The majority of women
will have their menstrual period on time or early; if there is a delay of more than 1 week, the possibility of
pregnancy should be excluded.
• Other side-effects: breast tenderness, headache, fatigue, abdominal pain and dizziness.
Cooper-releasing IUD for Plan B
A cooper-releasing IUD can be inserted by the professionals within 5 days of unprotected sexual contact which
will insure your Plan B.
Plan B with IUDs is highly effective (up to 98% of cases) with the possibility of the pregnancy less than 1%.
When IUD is used for Plan B?
• When the Plan B with hormonal methods are less effective (because more than 72 hours have elapsed).
• The client is considering using an IUD for continuous, long-term contraception (not only for Plan B).
Side-effects of Plan B with IUDs
Side-effects are the same as for continuous IUD use. If the client does not keep the IUD for continuous
contraception, any side-effect will usually disappear after the IUD is removed.
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