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papili · May 13, 2009, 01:07 AM

Yesterday I posted a question, which you guys answered very well. Some of your posts stated that emergency pills are ineffective and can be harmful to my body.

So that has left me with a question: before I ask, let me briefly explain my sex life:

We usually have sex once a week at most or once in 2 weeks, or a month. Reason being, we are not living together with my boyfriend and we both have tight schedules at work. So we don't really plan for sex, which is why I use emergency pills. We used condoms but in the morning I take an emergency pill. I feel that since I do not have regular sex, no need for the birth control pills. Or is there?

So, does this mean the emergency pill is still harmful to my body and can somehow not protect me from getting pregnant? I usually take my pill even before 24hrs after sex are over, hence increasing the efficancy of the pill.I thought the sooner you take the pill the better for you? So can I still get pregnant from this? Last time we had sex was a week ago and I had just finished having my period, so am assuming I was not fertile at the time. That plus the pill is safe, right? Hope so... so please advice.

shazamataz · May 13, 2009, 01:37 AM

Nothing protects you against getting pregnant except for abstinence.

Contraceptives merely reduce your risk of getting pregnant.

I would recommend either using the birth control pill or always carrying a condom with you in your wallet if you always have unplanned sex.

Having sex at the end of your period is not a reliable contraceptive method either, while you are more fertile towards the middle of your cycle you can get pregnant at any time.

danielnoahsmommy · May 13, 2009, 02:57 AM

The emergency pill is just for that emergencys not to be used as birth control. It will mess your cycle up. It cannot be good using it so often. Why not add birth control to your life. Or even easier add spermacide to your condoms.

SaVE THE EMERGENCY pills for exactly that an emergency. Careless use is why these pills won't be on the market for long. I'm sure in about ten years you will join thousands of others who follow the same practice and sue the manufacturer in a class action lawsuit. When side effects pop up due to improper use!!

bronzebabe · May 13, 2009, 04:57 AM

Those Plan B pills are for "emergency" only! Read up on them online. Usually, you are ONLY suppose to use them a maximum of 3 times in your LIFE. They can cause infertility in women. Why would you use them like birth control? Get on the pill if you plan to continue having sex. Or just don't have sex.
Misuse of ANY product will come back to haunt you in the end.

liz28 · May 13, 2009, 05:03 AM

Regardless if your having sex on a regular basis your still having sex and it seems like your having unprotected sex if you using plan B.

Birth control pills and condoms work hand and hand. Using plan B as a birth control method isn't right. Make an appointment with your OB/GYN today for all the fact regarding birth control and plan B today.

Synnen · May 13, 2009, 06:07 AM

Moved from Adult Sexuality to Women's Health

simplewm · Jun 3, 2009, 05:31 AM

Originally Posted by bronzebabe

They can cause infertility in women.

How do you know they can cause infertility in women?

J_9 · Jun 3, 2009, 05:45 AM

Originally Posted by bronzebabe

They can cause infertility in women.

Could you quote this source please?

papili · Jun 4, 2009, 03:35 AM

Originally Posted by J_9

Could you quote this source please?

OK, am getting confused now. Even if its harmful, I need to know how harmful. As I said, I searched on the internet and I didn't succeed. So guys, docs, nurses, J_9, please help.

Synnen · Jun 4, 2009, 06:01 AM

According to the CDC's website, the two biggest reasons for NOT using Plan B as a regular contraceptive are these:

1. You have a greater chance of becoming pregnant with continued use of Plan B than with use of regular contraceptives.

2. You have a MUCH higher chance of an ectopic pregnancy--which would REQUIRE an abortion. Normal chance of ectopic pregnancy is 2% of all pregnancies. 10% of all pregnancies where the only mode of contraception was Plan B are ectopic.

HOWEVER--the CDC website stresses over and over and over that Plan B is NOT meant to be a regular contraception. The thing is, Plan B hasn't been available for all that long, really--so there are not a lot of long term studies about it.