POSTCOITAL CONTRACEPTION (PCC)

"The Morning After Pill" - "Plan B"

The Student Health Service encourages students who are sexually active to use the contraceptive of their choice before or during intercourse. For women who do not wish to become pregnant and who have had unprotected intercourse or failed contraception (such as a broken condom), there may be an option for a "second chance" to prevent pregnancy.

IF YOU HAVE HAD UNPROTECTED INTERCOURSE WITHIN THE
PAST 72 HOURS, you may be a candidate for this postcoital ("after intercourse") contraception (PCC). Please read the following information.

What Are The Chances Of Becoming Pregnant Without PCC?

The risk of pregnancy from a single act of unprotected midcycle intercourse (about two weeks before your next period is due) has been estimated at 20-30%. The risk of pregnancy from a single act of unprotected intercourse at other times in the cycle, has been estimated at 2-4%. It might be difficult or impossible to determine when you will ovulate, and therefore be difficult to assess your risk of becoming pregnant.

What Is the "Morning After Pill"?

The "Morning After Pill" is a medication known as "Plan B." Each tablet contains 0.75 mg of the hormone levonorgestrel; this is a totally synthetic progestin. Two tablets of Plan B are taken at once to prevent pregnancy. The cost for Plan B at the Student Health Service is $25.

How Does It Work?

The exact mechanism of action of Plan B is not known. It is believed to act by delaying ovulation or preventing fertilization. In addition it may inhibit implantation by altering the endometrium. Once implantation has occurred and pregnancy is established, Plan B cannot cause an abortion. Plan B reduces the average risk of pregnancy among users from 8% to about 1%. After a single act of unprotected intercourse, the risk of pregnancy is reduced by 89% by Plan B. The effectiveness declines as the interval between intercourse and the start of the treatment increases. In the first 24 hours after intercourse, Plan B can prevent 95% of unexpected pregnancies. Plan B may be effective if taken as late as 5 days following an episode of unprotected intercourse, although it is best to use Plan B as soon as possible.

Risks And Side Effects

Plan B is safe for most women. The most common side effect is nausea. Other side effects include lower abdominal pain, fatigue, headache and dizziness, breast tenderness, and menstrual changes. In should not be used by women with undiagnosed abnormal genital bleeding and in women who are hypersensitive (allergic) to any component of Plan B.

What If It Fails?

Studies have shown that Plan B does not cause harm to a pregnancy. It should not, however, be used in women known to be pregnant because it is ineffective. Abortion (termination of pregnancy) remains an option both for women who become pregnant despite use of Plan B, and for those who choose not to take Plan B. Pregnancy options counseling is available at the Student Health Service.

What Will Happen?

Approximately 58% of users will have their next menses on time or a few days early or a few days late. This cycle may be unusual (lighter, heavier, longer or shorter than usual). You should return to clinic if you do not have a menstrual period within a month of taking Plan B.

How can you get Plan B?

Plan B is available without a prescription from the Student Health Service pharmacy Monday-Friday from 8:30am-12noon and 1:30pm-4pm for students 18 years of age or older. Plan B is also available at other times by seeing the nurse on duty at the Student Health Service. Women 17 years of age or younger may receive Plan B by prescription (these prescriptions are available by seeing a nurse or examiner at the Student Health Service). The cost for Plan B is $25.00 at the Student Health Service.

Plan B is also available through most retail pharmacies without a prescription for individuals 18 years of age and older. You will need to ask the pharmacist for Plan B if you go to a retail pharmacy (it will be "behind the counter" at the pharmacy).

Individuals may also obtain Plan B "in advance" from the Student Health Service Pharmacy during regular business hours.

Instructions

If you have had unprotected intercourse report to the Student Health Service as soon as possible to discuss using this form of contraception.

REMEMBER: The effectiveness of this form of birth control diminishes with time. The "morning after pill" is available 24 hours a day at the Student Health Service (when school is in session). If you are away from campus, Emergency Contraception can be obtained from most retail pharmacies.

For Further Information Contact:

Wake Forest University Student Health Service -- 758-5218
-- Pharmacy: menu option "2"; 
-- Nurse (after clinic hours and weekend hours): menu option "4"

North Carolina Hotline for Post-Coital Contraception -- 1-866-942-7762
The Emergency Contraception Website -- Not-2-Late.com