To “B” or Not to “B”: Take the Plan B / Morning After Pill Quiz

Many women have heard of Plan B, sometimes referred to as the "morning after pill". But quite often, women who are considering using Plan B don’t know all they should about it, including how Plan B works and who should or shouldn’t take it.

So before you buy Plan B, take the following quiz and find out what you need to know so you can decide whether to "B" or not to "B"! (answers are below)

 

1. Plan B is a morning after pill that helps prevent pregnancy. Which of the following statements about Plan B is true?

 

1. Plan B is another name for the abortion pill commonly known as RU-486.
2. Plan B can only be used by women who use regular birth control pills as their primary form of contraception.
3. Plan B is a morning after pill that a woman can take if she has had unprotected sex.
4. Plan B is most effective at terminating a pregnancy in the first trimester.

 

2. Plan B contains hormones that help prevent pregnancy. How exactly does Plan B work?

 

1. Plan B prevents the ovary from releasing an egg.
2. Plan B makes it difficult for the sperm to fertilize the egg.
3. Plan B can make it difficult for a fertilized egg to attach itself to the wall of the uterus.
4. All of the above are ways that the Plan B morning after pill can work to prevent pregnancy.

 

3. Birth control pills usually rely on estrogen and progestin, either separately or in combination. Which hormones does Plan B contain?

 

1. Plan B contains only a large dose of estrogen.
2. Plan B contains equal doses of estrogen and progestin.
3. Plan B contains only progestin as its active ingredient.
4. Unlike other birth control pills, Plan B contains neither estrogen nor progestin.

 

4. The Plan B morning after pill is not right for every woman. You should not take Plan B if:

 

1. You use condoms as your regular birth control method.
2. You are under age 21 or older than 35.
3. You are already pregnant.
4. You are HIV-positive.

5. The sooner a woman takes Plan B after unprotected intercourse or contraceptive failure, the better her chances of preventing pregnancy. Which of these statements describes the ideal way to take the Plan B morning after pill?

 

1. Take one Plan B pill as soon as possible (and within 72 hours) after having unprotected sex. Take the second Plan B pill 12 hours later.
2. Take one Plan B pill within 12 hours after having unprotected sex. Take the second Plan B pill four hours later.
3. Take two Plan B pills within 24 hours of having unprotected sex. Take another Plan B pill 12 hours after you take the first two.
4. Take one Plan B immediately after having unprotected sex or as soon as you can. Take a second Plan B pill only after consulting with your doctor.

6. If you’re 18 or older, you can buy Plan B over the counter or through an online pharmacy such as eDrugstore.md. Which of the following is a true statement about buying Plan B?

 

1. Women under 18 cannot buy Plan B.
2. Women under 18 require a prescription in order to buy Plan B.
3. Women under 18 require a note from a parent or guardian in order to buy Plan B.
4. Women under 18 can buy Plan B only if accompanied by their partner.

7. One of the following statements about Plan B is NOT true. Which is it?

 

1. Plan B does not provide any protection against sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV.
2. Plan B does not help terminate an existing pregnancy, nor should it be used like regular birth control pills.
3. Plan B can be effective if it is taken up to one week after having unprotected intercourse.
4. The FDA has approved the Plan B morning after pill as a safe and effective form of emergency contraception.

 

8. The FDA has approved two emergency contraceptive, morning after pills. One is Plan B. The other is:

 

1. RU-486.
2. Provag.
3. Aborvel.
4. Preven.

 

9. Compared to condoms, diaphragms, spermicides and sponges, birth control pills are one of the most effective ways to prevent pregnancy. Which of the following is NOT a contraceptive birth control pill?

 

1. Seasonale.
2. RU-486.
3. Ortho Tri-Cyclen.
4. Plan B.

 

10. In addition to providing safe and reliable contraception, birth control pills can offer other health benefits, including which of the following?

 

1. Birth control pills can provide some protection against breast and ovarian cysts.
2. Birth control pills help regulate the menstrual cycle.
3. Some birth control pills are associated with decreased rates of ovarian and endometrial cancers.
4. All of the above statements about birth control pills are true.

 

11. Like other birth control pills, there are some potential side effects associated with Plan B. Which of these is one of the more common side effects you may experience after taking the Plan B morning after pill?

 

1. Nausea.
2. Reduced libido.
3. Nosebleed.
4. Dark spots on the skin.

 

12. Plan B is meant for infrequent use only. When and how often can Plan B safely be taken?

 

1. Plan B is a powerful morning after pill, and cannot be used more than once a year.
2. Plan B should only be used only when other birth control methods have failed, or if you have had unprotected sex.
3. Plan B can be used up to once a week, for up to six months.
4. Both B and C above are true.

 

To learn more about different birth control options, visit the online knowledge base at eDrugstore.md.

 

Answers: 1)C 2)D 3)A 4)C 5)A 6)B 7)C 8)D 9)B 10)D 11)A 12)B