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Sexuality & Relationships (Expert Forum)
So what's really the deal with Plan B?
Answered by
Janice M Epp, PhD - Female sexual issues, Adolescent sexuality, Male sexual issues
Private Practice
Palo Alto - CA
This forum is for questions and support regarding relationship issues such as: Abstinence, Arousal Problems, Birth Control, Cohabitation, Commitment, Communication, Couples Counseling, Desire /Lack of Desire, Sexual Technique.
So what's really the deal with Plan B?
by girlygirl803, Jul 18, 2008 09:18PM
So I had sex 6 days after I started my period which also happened to be the same day I started my birth control. The condom broke. I deliberated on whether or not to take plan B as i realized 1) that i was only six days into my cycle 2) sperm on average live only three to five days in the body and 3) I had started my birth control, albeit late, but it would be in my system for the seven days required on the twelfth day of my cycle.
Well after a few days of really thinking I realized I would rather be safe than sorry. I looked up online everything I could about plan B and i kept getting conflicting answers. A lot of sites say that it has been proven to work up to 120hours although the efficacy goes down drastically after the initial 72, while others said it had to be 72 or no go. So I went to the pharmacy, talked to the pharmacist, told him it had been about 79 hours after the incident and he said that i should be ok, so I took plan B. so what's the real deal with plan B? and should I be worried?
Well after a few days of really thinking I realized I would rather be safe than sorry. I looked up online everything I could about plan B and i kept getting conflicting answers. A lot of sites say that it has been proven to work up to 120hours although the efficacy goes down drastically after the initial 72, while others said it had to be 72 or no go. So I went to the pharmacy, talked to the pharmacist, told him it had been about 79 hours after the incident and he said that i should be ok, so I took plan B. so what's the real deal with plan B? and should I be worried?
Doctor's Answer
by Janice M Epp, PhD, Jul 21, 2008 04:36PM
, Jul 21, 2008 04:36PM
To: girlygirl803
When in doubt about a product, the most accurate information can usually found at the product’s website. Plan B states that in order to be at its most effective, it must be taken within 72 hours. However, it only reduces the chance of pregnancy in 89% of cases, so there’s always a chance it didn’t work for you. Nothing is perfect.
You spoke with a pharmacist, who reassured you, so you can either take her/his word or take a pregnancy test, if you want to be sure. The home pregnancy tests are most accurate when taken 10 to 14 days after a missed period. Dr. J
You spoke with a pharmacist, who reassured you, so you can either take her/his word or take a pregnancy test, if you want to be sure. The home pregnancy tests are most accurate when taken 10 to 14 days after a missed period. Dr. J
