What is the difference between the morning-after pill and the abortion pill?
• The morning-after pill is actually a medication taken after unprotected sex in order to prevent pregnancy. It is usually sold under the brand name Plan B. Sometimes, Plan B is referred to as an “abortion pill,” but this is incorrect. Plan B can be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sex, but it works the same way that normal birth control pills work. It prevents pregnancy three ways: • Preventing ovulation: if you haven’t already ovulated in your cycle (usually about 14 days after you started your last period), Plan B contains hormones that can prevent your body from releasing an egg for that cycle. • Preventing fertilization: if you have already ovulated (your body has produced an egg or ovum), Plan B can also prevent sperm from fertilizing the egg. • Preventing implantation: if you have already ovulated and the egg has already been fertilized, Plan B can create changes to the lining of your uterus, which helps prevent the fertilized egg from implanting on the uterine wall. The e
