Family Planning Plus

It takes at least 7 days of consecutive use before the birth control pills are effective. So, if you took 7 days worth of pills correctly, then you probably had effective birth control. Using a second method, like condoms or withdrawal, further helps to prevent pregnancy. However, only abstinence, is 100% effective.

Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs), like Plan B, help prevent pregnancy by delaying ovulation. It is a dose of 1.5 mg of the progesterone, levonorgestrel. The hormones estrogen and progesterone help regulate your menstrual cycle. Regular birth control pills contain both estrogen and progesterone, only in much smaller amounts. Depending on brand packaging, this dose can be taken as two 750 microgram pills, both taken at the same time OR twelve hours apart. Plan B-One Step is one 1.5mg pill–one pill taken one time.  Therefore, three extra “regular” birth control pills would not be effective as emergency contraception.

WAY back in history, like the 1970’s, a doctor named Yuzpe “invented” emergency contraception. His method consisted of a woman taking many active pills, all at one time. Twelve hours later, she would take the same dose again. A common side effect of this was nausea and vomiting (most likely due to the large amount of estrogen).  Recent advances in reproductive medication has made this method almost absolete. The newer ECP’s do not contain estrogen, so they are safe for most all women. A one pill or two pill dose is easier to take. ECPs are now available for puchase over the counter, so they are more accessible to women.  FYI: Plan B is available for purchase only for women 17 and older. Women under 17 require a prescription.