Emergency contraceptives like Plan B are at the forefront of political discussion.
With the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade, many people are stockpiling contraceptives and abortion alternatives, such as Plan B.
Also known as the ‘morning after’ pill, works by chemically preventing a pregnancy, when taken within 72 hours of intercourse. The drug acts primarily by stopping the release of an egg from the ovary. It may also prevent a sperm from fertilizing the egg. If fertilization does occur, Plan B One-Step may prevent a fertilized egg from attaching to the womb.
Within 24 hours of the landmark reversal of the Supreme Court, orders for Plan B surged over 600%, as many people were stocking up on the drug for an uncertain future.
Regardless of where your politics lie, I think it’s important to have as much information as possible, especially regarding things like reproductive health. Here are five things to know about Plan B.
Plan B does expire. Generally speaking, the medication lasts about 3-4 years, but you should definitely check the expiration date on the side of the box. While taking expired Plan B may not necessarily hurt you, it won’t be as effective and may result in an unplanned pregnancy.
Plan B will still be available in some states. Technically you can still order it and have it mailed across state lines, so it might not be a bad idea to stock up on a few boxes, if you would rather be safe than sorry.
Store Plan B at room temperature. Temperatures between 68-77 degrees work best for this medication.
Plan B is affordable. The medication generally costs between $11 and $50 and is available over the counter or online.
Plan B can be taken multiple times. While you shouldn’t use it regularly, you can use it multiple times without affecting your fertility. You should think of it as a last resort, and if you feel inclined to use it more than once per fertility cycle, consider talking to a doctor about a more regular form of birth control.