Should You Use Emergency Contraceptive?

Emergency contraceptive such as the plan b pill are meant for emergencies only and not as an everyday means of contraceptive. So how do you know if you should use emergency contraceptive such as the plan b emergency contraceptive pill or other forms of emergency contraceptive that are on the market? Here are some possible scenarios in which plan b emergency contraceptive may be right for you.

Emergency Contraceptive Scenario #1: The Condom Broke, Should I use Emergency Contraceptive?

If you are in a monogamous relationship and your partner and you have chosen condoms as a means of contraceptive then the possibility of a condom breaking is always going to be a factor that you should both consider. It's a good idea to discuss this before hand and also to discuss the route that you both would like to take in the case that this does happen to you. Your options if the condom fails are either to use a plan be emergency contraceptive or to wait things out in which case, if you are pregnant you will have options which include keeping the baby, giving the baby up for adoption, or having an abortion.

If you are not in a monogamous relationship or you have not previously discussed condom failure with your partner then your decision to use emergency contraceptive is probably a good one unless you are fully prepared to keep the baby that may result. This is something that you must think through thoroughly especially if a condom is your primary means of contraceptive and protection.

Emergency Contraceptive Scenario #2: I was raped, should I use Emergency Contraceptive?

Rape warrants the definite use of emergency contraceptive with no questions asked. There is no doubt that rape is an unwanted occurrence and therefore any resulting offspring from such an occurrence would not be desired either. If you have been raped, whether it was date rape or a random rape, chances are that emergency contraceptive such as the plan be pill is right for you!

Emergency Contraceptive Scenario #3: I had Unprotected Sex, Should I use Emergency Contraceptive?

Emergency contraceptive such as the plan b pill is not a means of birth control. If you have had unprotected sex and are not on any type of birth control then yes the plan be emergency contraceptive will keep you from getting pregnant but this should not be your means of maintaining. In other words, do not use emergency contraceptive as a planned form of birth control rather than using another regular form of birth control such as the pill, condoms, spermicides, or injections such as Depo Provera. All of these forms of birth control are meant as a regular means of birth control and not for emergency use only. Take this into consideration the next time you have unprotected sex.

Emergency Contraceptive Scenario #4: I forgot to take my birth control pill, Should I use Emergency Contraceptive?

Most birth control pills are still potent enough to provide birth control even if you forget to take a pill or two throughout the month. If you miss a pill, there is no need to double up, just take the next pill as regularly scheduled and try not to miss another throughout the month. If you have unprotected sex during the month when you have forgotten to take your pill there is little chance of a pregnancy occurring unless you have missed more than 2 pills consecutively or more than 2-3 in a full month. In this case, emergency contraceptive can provide the back up contraceptive to prevent a pregnancy from occurring.