Plan B: Pros and Cons

The Pill that Changes Lives
Today, there is a growing concern on the use of the Plan B Pill (the morning after contraceptive pill) as a method of birth control. The pill was approve by FDA in 1999, so although the Plan B contraceptive pill is not a new idea to society, it is igniting many debates here in the United States. Henry Mathews believes that this form of birth control has become a more safe and effective way to prevent unwanted pregnancies. The Plan B pill is comprised of higher doses of the same hormones found in typical birth control pills. When taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, Plan B significantly reduces the risk of pregnancy. Even though this method of preventing pregnancy stirred controversy mainly with Pro-Life advocates, the thought of the new pill is a very smart could help solve possible unwanted pregnancies. Though many people will not agree, the pill is becoming more popular, and will eventually be the solve of most pregnancy problems.
Most women have had that scary moment of a condom breaking - or in the heat the moment no condom being used at all with the scary question that follows: what if I am pregnant? Thankfully the Plan B pill gives you a second chance. Researchers has found a newer way of preventing pregnancies by taking the Plan B Pill the very next morning, and giving farewells to all the tension. Yes, it sounds easy, but only for girls 18 years or older who can purchase this pill at their local pharmacy store without consulting with a doctor. However, girls 17 years and under are required to have a doctor’s prescription for purchasing the pills. The pill sales for $44.99 (depending on what pharmacy) and can be purchased on the spot. And although abortion is not the same as the pill, this is an extremely dramatic price difference compared to an abortion that could be hundreds of dollars. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) compromised and gave approval for sale of Plan B pill for over-the-counter sale after prolonging the issue for 3 years. The Drug Controller of India has decided to make the emergency pill an over-the-counter drug in the country. India has reached a population of one billion, and increases the abortion rate twice as much as the population. Almost 11 million abortions are estimated in India and after legalizing it, a large number of unsafe abortions was the route of about 20,000 women (Ronald Bailey). Emergency pills cut down chances of pregnancy by 95% if the drug is consumed within the first 72 hours of sex. If the pill is taken within 24 hours, it gives the best results (Laura Blue). If you’re already pregnant, the pill doesn’t work. So what exactly does this pill do ? Well it prevents ovulation, which stops the egg from falling. It can stop the implantation of an egg in the lining of a uterus. This is preventive if a pregnancy has not started. The sooner you take it the better and that is the key message. It should be in a woman’s drawer, just like we keep our spare key or extra toilet paper in the closet. Not that we want to lose are keys or run out of toilet paper, but we have it there in case. Life happens. This is a back-up method. It’s not as good as all the primary methods like condoms, birth control, or the patch, but remember it’s only 95% effective. Just like a spare tire. The back-up isn’t as good, but great for emergencies. Dr. Ashlesha Patel argues in support of Plan B saying, "When things don't exactly go as they are planned, it's important to have a safe and simple backup. This is what Plan B offers. My patients and I talk about all the birth control options. But as part of that conversation, we also talk about what happens when birth control fails. That's why I always recommend Plan B for emergency contraception. It can significantly reduce the chance of pregnancy after contraceptive failure or unprotected sex. And since it's just one pill, you get what you need right away. It's something that I think every woman should know about." This demonstrates a growing number of doctors are in agreement with the emergency contraception. With these doctors beside the growing interest in “the pill that changes lives,” more patients are open to it now that their doctor agrees and says it’s safe. With this pill, our society could become less populated if the birth rate wasn’t that high. According to Doctor Patel, this pill could level out the extreme increase of baby producing in the past four years, if unwanted pregnancies were prevented.
The side effects are slim to none. Plan B is composed of a progestin-only (levonorgestrel) tablet. “Levonorgestrel is well-trusted and has been commonly used in many birth control pills for over 35 years. In a clinical trial, women tolerated Plan B well; 14% experienced nausea and 1% experienced vomiting.” Says www.planbonestep.com. Plan B is safe and well-tolerated. Some women may experience mild side effects, similar to those of regular birth control pills. The most common may include changes in your period, nausea, lower abdominal pain, fatigue, headache, dizziness, and breast tenderness. These are minor side effects that have no comparison in other contraceptive ways.
Plan B is also labeled as another form of abortion. Women have a hard time choosing abortion or the Plan B pill as an option for unwanted pregnancies, but they have been making the choice for a long time. Ultimately, she is the one who would be going through the actual "Labor" of continuing pregnancy, delivering a baby, bringing it up, parenting it well, in addition to other obligations she has to do in her daily life. To get it done with little or no help from the partner and the family’s needs a well-balanced body and mind. Life of the baby ultimately depends on mother’s health and it's best to allow the mother to choose for her, WHEN she wants a baby. While we argue about the mental well-being of a woman, how others get to decide what would be more traumatic to the woman; childbirth and the unending list of duties waiting to be accomplished. To help and provide a solution to a possible unwanted pregnancy, the pill is the safest and quickest way to resolve this. An attempt to ban the pill would rise not only the percentage of illegal and unsafe abortions, but also the expenses of other procedure. A new law would be needed to tackle the illegal abortions and other pills which could take several years.
Legalize or not, the Plan B pill, abortions, or any other alternatives will always be a part of society. Deciding factor whether to abort or use contraceptive pills or not will always be different for different people. To one the Plan B pill can be wrong, to the other it was the person’s fault for getting in their situation, so they are going to have to live with it. It’s impossible to decide a particular set of rules for all. It all depends on the complex approach of each woman, her psychological strength, supportive circumstances that will not only help her decide, but also being convinced about her decisions. In conclusion, the Plan B pill is a safe conceptive pill that will make life a lot easier. There is barely any side effects, little effort to make it work, a reasonable price, and provides you the assurance of knowing you’re not pregnant.