College life, I am coming to learn, is about new experiences. Teachers are now Professors. Classes are only a semester. Beer pong is now Beirut. And sometimes these new experiences are thrilling. But other experiences will look much more appealing in a dark, crowded dorm party than in the light of day. Whether it’s the walk of shame or merely a hangover, some experiences are overshadowed by their very weighty repercussions. To save yourself from any painful experiences you need to know what Emergency Contraception is.
E.C. (also known as Plan B or the morning after pill.) should be taken if you had unprotected sex, your first method of contraception failed (i.e. the condom breaks) or you had sex against your will. Many people confuse E.C. with RU-486 (the Abortion Pill). E.C. prevents pregnancies, it does not terminate them, and if you are already pregnant it won’t harm the fetus. Plan B should not be your only method of protection that you rely on, as it is not as effective as condoms or birth control pills and does not protect against STDs.
A lot of people on college campuses are under the impression that Plan B is “bad for you”. This is not true. One of the ways Plan B prevents pregnancy is by “convincing your body” that you are already pregnant, just like regular birth control pills. Because of this, some people may experience some nausea, vomiting or breast soreness over the next 1-2 days. If you take Plan B with food you are less likely to experience these side effects. It is also important to remember that one day of nausea is almost nothing compared to months of morning sickness, not to mention the anxiety of an unintended pregnancy.
Plan B is available over the counter at the pharmacy if you are over 18, and at your Health Center on campus. I would recommend going to the Health Center, since you want to get it as soon as possible (before conception occurs), and it is much cheaper there (usually around $20). Also, don’t forget to ask about STD testing, which they provide. If your health center is closed, a male or female student could get it from the local pharmacy without a prescription, as long as he or she is over 18. Most drug stores charge around $49.59. Most R.A.’s would be happy to help you if you need it on a weekend. Don’t wait until Monday! Get it as soon as you can.
The pill can be taken up to 5 days after you have sex but it is most effective when taken as soon as possible, so don’t wait, even if that means braving the brutal winter winds with a killer hangover. You’ll be glad you took the extra precaution. And in the future, keep a condom nearby. Nothing is sexier than preparedness.
For more information go to:
not-2-late.com
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