How Much Do YOU Know About Plan B?

"Doctors Not Telling Women About Plan B." Daniel J. DeNoon, June 19, 2008.

http://www.webmd.com/sex/birth-control/news/20080619/doctors-not-telling-women-about-plan-b?page=2

Walk into any gynecologist’s office and you will undoubtedly stubble upon several women looking for advice concerning birth control methods and sexual health. Their physicians may recommend the pill, the patch, or IUDs--but a recent study addressed in this article shows that only about three percent of doctors discuss Plan B with their patients. This lack of communication has resulted in an overall void in the understanding of Plan B among the American public, and in some cases, has led women to avoid its use.

Plan B is an emergency contraceptive that works by preventing fertilization by the sperm or the implantation of the embryo in the uterus. It has been proven to be 75% effective by users if taken within a small timeframe in relation to intercourse. A controversial issue since its release on the market, Plan B can be viewed either as a distant relative to abortion, or as an excellent way to ward off pregnancy in unexpected or nonconsensual intercourse. In the health care debate, most politicians try to avoid the subject of birth control coverage for that very reason. However, organizations like Planned Parenthood are fighting for continued government support in the realms of women’s health and contraceptives. Availability of Plan B is not an exception to this debate. Up until 2006, Plan B had only been available with prescriptions, however since then it has become available over the counter to all women over eighteen. What the future holds of accessibility to birth control options like Plan B is something that only time can tell.

Statistics show that most women only use Plan B in emergency situations, and that they rarely take it more than once--proving that it is not being used as a regular form of birth control.Yet, a large percent of the female population is still largely misinformed about this contraceptive--confusing it with an abortion pill. That’s where doctors, like Dr. David M. Plourd, become frustrated with the lack of communication on the part of their peers. If more women knew the mechanisms and proper uses of Plan B, they would be more likely to feel comfortable making use of it. It would also be helpful if they kept the drug on hand, so that if a situation arises that would necessitate its use, they would be able to quickly receive its effects--which is key in the efficacy of Plan B. With this secondary option to the more notable birth control methods, women would feel more confident that they would be able to prevent any unwanted pregnancies in the future.

Additional Source: http://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/positions/health-care-reform-76.htm

Photo: http://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/positions/health-care-reform-76.htm