By Cheryl Mattox Berry
Controversy continues over FDA approval of over-the-counter sales of the morning- after pill, commonly called Plan B, for girls 15 and older. They can buy the pill with proof of age at the local drug store or get it from health centers without a prescription or permission from their parents.
Plan B isn’t to be used as a regular form of birth control. It’s for emergency cases – when a girl has had unprotected sex. It must be taken within five days (120 hours) after sexual intercourse. Costs vary from $10 to $70.
Critics of Plan B say young girls shouldn’t be allowed to use such a serious drug without medical or parental supervision. Supporters argue the pill is safe and will help girls who need it most.
While moms everywhere would like to protect their daughters from becoming sexually active in their teens, the truth is that sex happens. Seldom does a girl plan to have sex. She gets swept up in the moment. Often, she doesn’t know what to do after she’s had unprotected sex except worry about getting pregnant.
Why should her life be disrupted for an impulsive act that leads to an unplanned pregnancy when there is medicine available around the corner that can help her?
Girls, if you and your boyfriend are doing a lot of kissing and touching (and it’s getting harder and harder to say, “We’d better stop,” sex will soon follow. Be proactive when it comes to your sexual health. Start with Plan A, which is a trip to the doctor, an exam, discussion of contraceptives and a prescription for birth control. Use it as prescribed and make him use a condom to prevent HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases.
If you follow Plan A, you won’t need Plan B. However, the morning-after pill is available if something goes wrong. It can be found in the family planning aisle of your local drugstore. For more information on the morning-after pill, go to http://www.plannedparenthood.org