Dealing with Condom Malfunctions

So, the condom broke. Or, let’s get real: there was no condom handy and he was just too sexy to pass up. The next morning, sunlight filters through chintzy Venetian blinds, and you pry open your eyes. And then you really wake up.

Uhh. Did I really let him? When was my last period? Could I be pregnant? (Cue phantom labor cramps.)

What.

Do.

I.

Do?

Option 1 – Plan B

Plan B, the only morning-after medication sold in the U.S., is available over-the-counter for people 18 and over. It was FDA-approved to be made available without a prescription in August 2006. Score, federal government! It’s two pills – the first, taken immediately, the second, 12 hours later.

Pros

Plan B is more effective at preventing pregnancy than birth control pills. It’s also slightly cheaper ($10-$45) and therefore a better option for those of us either without health insurance, or still on our parent’s insurance. No health insurance bill means no paper trail for parents and boyfriends to find.

Cons

Potentially awkward pharmacy run-in; chance of nausea (under 1 in 4 women feel sick after taking Plan B).

Option 2 – Birth Control Pills

Birth control pills are generally used before you get into a dicey situation, but it can also be used as an emergency contraceptive. You need to start within 120 hours after tthe "incident," but sooner is better. To see how many pills you need to take of different brands, refer to this Planned Parenthood page (scroll down a tiny bit). It’s usually two to five pills. A pack of pills costs $20-$50. Birth control pills still aren’t available over-the-counter, so this option doesn’t make a lot of sense unless you’ve already got them on hand.

Pros

Can be taken immediately, in the comfort of your own home (or shoebox apartment).

Cons

Slightly less effective (75%) than Plan B (89%). See Planned Parenthood’s page on Effectiveness. Also, more women experience nausea after taking birth control than do after taking Plan B.

Option 3 – Intrauterine Device

Get an intrauterine device inserted by a doctor. It’s a form of birth control – a piece of plastic that’s put up inside the uterus. Reduces risk of pregnancy if inserted within five days by 99.9 percent.

Pros

It’s the most effective morning-after method, and it gives you a larger time window to work with. A bonus: It’ll work as birth control for up to 12 years (you can always get it taken out if you want to get preggers).

Cons

It’s expensive, costing around $400 for the product (Para-Guard is the most common brand), including doctor insertion.

The Final Word

Remember that time is of the essence, so make a decision ASAP about whether you want a bun in the oven. After five days, you're decision becomes a lot more difficult. Also, don't forget that pregnancy's probably not your only concern. Get test for STDs, chica!

How It Works

In all three cases (Plan B/birth control pills/IUD) the methods work by preventing egg fertilization or ovulation. It’s NOT an abortion – these options don’t “kill” or remove a fertilized egg from the uterus. Plan B uses the hormone progestin; birth control pills use the hormones progestin and estrogen.

These methods (“Emergency Contraception” or EC) shouldn’t be confused with RU-486 (mifepristone), a pill that does cause abortion in pregnant women within 49 days from the first day of their last period.

Side Effects

It’s normal for some women to get irregular periods or experience unexpected bleeding. Women who don’t get their periods within three weeks should see a health care provider.

Some side effects of EC include:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Stomach pains
• Breast tenderness
• Weight gain or loss
• Depression