Plan B, also known as the morning-after pill, is a type of emergency contraception that can be used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. Here is a brief history of Plan B:
• 1999: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves Plan B as a prescription-only medication.
• 2003: Plan B becomes available in the United States with a prescription.
• 2006: The FDA approves Plan B for over-the-counter (OTC) use for people age 18 and older. However, the decision is controversial, and the agency requires that the medication be kept behind pharmacy counters and that customers show proof of age to purchase it.
• 2009: The age requirement for OTC Plan B is lowered to age 17.
• 2011: The FDA approves Plan B One-Step, a version of Plan B that can be used as a single pill taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex.
• 2013: The age requirement for OTC Plan B is lowered again to age 15. The medication is also made available without age restrictions for people with a prescription.
• 2016: The FDA approves Plan B One-Step for unrestricted OTC use, meaning it can be sold without age restrictions and without proof of age required.
Since its approval, Plan B has become a widely used form of emergency contraception, and it has been the subject of much debate and controversy, particularly around issues of access and availability. Plan B is available without a prescription in most countries, and it is considered a safe and effective way to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex.
Has Plan B Been Discontinued?
Plan B has not been discontinued. Plan B is an FDA-approved emergency contraception method that is widely available in pharmacies and health clinics throughout the United States and other countries. It is a safe and effective way to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure.
There have been occasional shortages of Plan B in some areas due to high demand or supply chain issues, but these shortages are typically temporary and do not indicate that the medication has been discontinued. If you are having difficulty finding Plan B, you may want to check with your local pharmacy or health clinic to see if they have it in stock or can order it for you. You can also consider other emergency contraception options, such as Ella, which is another FDA-approved emergency contraceptive pill, or copper intrauterine devices (IUDs), which can be inserted up to five days after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy.
How Effective Is Plan B?
Plan B is a highly effective form of emergency contraception when used correctly and taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. According to the manufacturer, Plan B One-Step can reduce the risk of pregnancy by up to 89% when taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, and the effectiveness decreases the longer you wait to take it. However, it is important to note that Plan B is not 100% effective and it does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
The effectiveness of Plan B can also depend on various factors, such as how soon after unprotected sex it is taken, how it is used, and whether there are any other health conditions or medications that could affect its effectiveness. For example, studies have shown that Plan B may be less effective in people who are overweight or obese.
It is also important to note that emergency contraception is not intended to be used as a regular form of birth control, and it should not be relied on as a long-term contraceptive method. If you are sexually active and want to prevent pregnancy, you should consider using a regular form of birth control, such as condoms, oral contraceptives, intrauterine devices (IUDs), or other hormonal methods, in addition to emergency contraception.
