The anticipation of a Republican-controlled government with Donald Trump serving a second term as president has left some women fearful over access to reproductive healthcare.
On the day after Trump's election victory, the search phrase "Is the morning-after pill legal?" increased by 700% on Google. Similar queries about the morning-after pill's shelf life and where to buy abortion pills online became breakout trends.
At Wisp, a telehealth service that provides sexual and reproductive health care, emergency contraception sales increased by approximately 1,000% and new patient emergency contraception sales were up 1,650% since November's election results.
Wisp's Chief Executive Officer Monica Cepak told USA TODAY "the spike in sales we’ve seen (since the election) has underscored the fear women around the country are feeling.”
Many women across social media platformshave since expressed plans to buy emergency contraceptives and abortion pills beforeTrump takes officein January, with some fearing he might ban birth control pills such as Plan B One-Step.
What women are saying on social media about the morning-after pill
"I’m going to start accumulating some Plan B — for my daughter, her friends, and any one of childbearing age who’s going to need it once Trump bans birth control," said one social media user on Threads, whose profile listed her state in Texas where abortion is illegal.
A TikTok user in Oklahoma, another U.S. state where abortion is banned, encouraged her followers to get both Plan B and pregnancy tests from local pharmacies as soon as possible.
"You might as well get them now in case they go out of stock," she said.
Here's what people should know about Plan B as women around the country begin stockpiling emergency contraceptives.
What is Plan B birth control?
The "Plan B" morning-after pill is a type of emergency birth control, also called emergency contraception, according to the Mayo Clinic, which said it can help prevent pregnancy after sexual intercourse if a woman's regular birth control method didn't work or wasn't used.
How do morning-after pills work?
Morning-after pills delay or prevent women from ovulating, when a woman's ovaries release an egg that a male's sperm might fertilize after sexual intercourse, according to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. Health experts say morning after-pills do not end a pregnancy that has already started.
Do morning-after pills cause abortions?
No, emergency contraception such as the "Plan B" morning-after pill does not cause an abortion, say health experts, or terminate a pregnancy.
Is Plan B One-step the same as 'the abortion pill'?
No, morning-after pills are emergency contraception and will not work if a woman is already pregnant. Plan B One-Step is not the same as the abortion pill and will not affect an existing pregnancy, according to the FDA.
The abortion pill involves two different drugs called mifepristone and misoprostol. Though women can also abort a pregnancy taking only misoprostol, according to Planned Parenthood.
Story continues after a photo gallery from a March 2024 demonstration outside the U.S. Supreme Court.
How long is the morning after Plan B pill effective? How soon should you take it?
For emergency contraceptives to work their best, health experts recommend women take morning-after pills as soon as possible if they've engaged in sexual intercourse without using protection, skipped their regular birth control, or to prevent a pregnancy after being sexually assaulted.
The Mayo Clinic recommends women follow the instructions written on the label and take a morning-after pill within 72 hours after having sex, but the pill can remain effective if taken within five days.
How effective is Plan B One-Step?
Morning-after pills such as Plan B One-Step can lower a woman's chances of getting pregnant by 75-89% if taken within three days of having unprotected sex, according to Planned Parenthood. They're composed of a synthetic hormone called levonorgestrel, writes the FDA, which has been used in birth control pills for more than 35 years.
Should morning after Plan B pills be your main source of birth control?
No; the morning-after pill, writes the Mayo Clinic, isn't meant to be a main method of birth control. It's more of a backup in case a woman's regular birth control didn't work or wasn't used.
Story continues after photo gallery from June 2022.
Is the morning-after Plan B pill legal?
Yes, the "Plan B," morning-after pill is legal in all 50 states.
Is there an age limit for Plan B?
Not anymore. In June 2013, the FDA approved Plan B One-Step for nonprescription use without age restrictions.
Do I need a prescription to get morning after Plan B pills?
No, women don't need a prescription to get it. You can buy Plan B One-Step over-the-counter at most pharmacies and retail outlets or online.
How long does Plan B last on the shelf? When does it expire?
If stored correctly, Plan B has a shelf life of up to four years, according to a fact sheet for the morning-after pill. There's an expiration date on the outside of the box as well as instructions for its proper storage.
How much do morning after Plan B pills cost? Is there a generic version?
Plan B One-Step costs between $40-$50, according to Planned Parenthood. There are cheaper, generic versions available, such as Take Action, My Way, Option 2, My Choice, Aftera, and EContra.
Generic morning-after pills cost about $11–$45.Many of these pills can be found at retail stores around the country.
Where to find the pill near me? Does Walmart sell them?
Yes, you can buy Plan B One-Step at Walmart as well as other morning-after pills. Check Walmart.com for the nearest location and whether it's available.
Does Target sell morning after Plan B pills?
You can buy Plan B at Target. See your nearest location at Target's website whether the morning-after pill is in stock.
Does Walgreens sell morning after Plan B pills?
Yes, you can buy Plan B at Walgreens. Check its availability at Walgreens' official website in addition to other emergency contraception products.
Does Kroger sell morning after Plan B pills?
You can buy Plan B at Kroger, which stocks other morning-after pills. Visit Kroger.com to check the closest in-stock pill near you.
Does CVS Pharmacy sell morning after Plan B pills?
Yes, you can buy Plan B at CVS Pharmacy. See your nearest CVS location by visiting the retail outlet's official website at CVS.com.
Can you buy morning after Plan B pills online?
Yes, in addition to the stores listed above, Plan B can be purchased at Amazon.com and through other online retailers.
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John Tuftscovers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Send him a news tip atJTufts@Gannett.com. Find him onThreadswith@john_writes_stuffor follow him on Twitter atJTuftsReports.
