About Plan - B

This subject causes a lot of confusion, so here's some insight.

Plan B refers to Plan B One-Step, which is a type of emergency contraception (EC), not an abortion pill. It is a levonorgestrel-based medication designed to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure (e.g., a broken condom or missed birth control pill).

Key Facts About Plan B:

• Prevents pregnancy, but does not terminate an existing pregnancy.

• Works by delaying ovulation, preventing fertilization, or making it harder for a fertilized egg to implant in the uterus.

• Most effective when taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex, ideally within 72 hours (but can still work up to 5 days with reduced effectiveness).

• Available over the counter without a prescription in most places.

• Different from abortion pills (mifepristone and misoprostol), which are used to terminate an established pregnancy.

Misconceptions

• Plan B is NOT an abortion pill: If implantation has already occurred and a pregnancy has begun, Plan B will not have any effect.

• It does not cause miscarriage or harm an existing pregnancy.

If someone is already pregnant and wants to terminate, they would need abortion medication (mifepristone + misoprostol) or an in-clinic procedure rather than Plan B. We hope this helps clarify this subject for you.