The FDA just saw fit to make Plan B, or the “morning after pill” available over-the-counter, without a prescription, to girls who are 17 and older.
What a sigh of relief.
At the risk of offending those of you who are opposed to the use of this medicine, I just want to to say I am so happy to know that girls can protect themselves from unplanned pregnancy safely and easily.
Here’s the quick and dirty on how Plan B works. Essentially, it prevents a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterine wall. It is not possible to know if an egg has been fertilized, as this happens in the filopian tube and can take place up to 5 days after intercourse.
It seems to make the uterus a bad hostess, so the egg can’t implant. If the girl is already pregnant (the egg has implanted) it WILL NOT disrupt or terminate the pregnancy. This medicine is very safe and there are very, very, very few contraindications for its use, and those that exist are really rare.
One of the reasons I am so happy about this ruling is that girls can buy Plan B for other girls or future use. This may make some of you uncomfortable, but girls being able to take care of their sexual health and prevent an unplanned pregnancy easily, is all good, in my humble opinion.
