Nikol, host of Midwest Teen Sex Show, did a little experiment in locating Plan B. The good folks over at RHRealityCheck.Org were listening. Take a look at the full story over here.
Thanks, RHReality for publishing this story!
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(also posted on RHRC)
Hi Nikol, I love MTSS and this piece was great.
I’m a young woman who needed emergency contraception a few years ago. I live on the West Coast and was over the age of 18 at the time, but I still had to call several pharmacies in the area before I could find a place that would help me. I tend to snap into “all-business” mode when I’m dealing with a crisis, so I didn’t feel ashamed at the time, but afterward I was pretty angry about being shrugged off when I needed info and help quickly.
When I got to the pharmacy, a badass pharmacist named Fred (I won’t ever forget his name because he was so professional) explained everything clearly without talking down to me. After getting the run-around, this pharmacist simply doing his job was a bright spot in an otherwise very stressful situation.
I think the best thing a woman can do is have EC around before she needs it, because you never know if you’re going to get Fred at the pharmacy or someone who won’t do their job. My mom actually bugs me about having some in my medicine cabinet “just in case”. Maybe teens should know they can ask their doctor about EC confidentially, so they can learn how to obtain some in advance. Teens could do this on a regular check-up or during a visit for something unrelated.
Excellent article. I’m very lucky to know that I can get plan B at anytime I need it no questions asked because I live in Canada. I can’t imagine how stressful it must be for those girls under 18 who can’t get parental permission or get in to see the doctor in time to get the pill. Its sad that people force their own opinions and views on others because they are “right.” Not to mention those people are so very ignorant. I’m sure their sex life is missionary, stick it in, and finish. We wouldn’t have been given millions of nerve endings that pleasure us if sex was simply meant for procreation. Heres a great quote by Belle de Jour.
“If I could add one thing, it would be this - don’t ever turn down pleasure because you were afraid of what other people might say.”
I’m glad that it’s no problem to get it in germany.
I needed it once(I forgot to take my pill and noticed it the next day). I called my Doc and about an hour later I had it. She asked me what happend and I told it to her, she said that can happened and gave me the prescription. I can’t remember what I paied for it but I think it was about 25euros.
I have used the Plan B pill and after reading this article, I feel lucky that I live in a town where it’s much easier to get one. I went to the Planned Parenthood clinic down the road and they gave me one no questions asked even though I was under 18 at the time. It always disturbs me to hear about pharmacists and doctors talking down to people who need this kind of thing like they’re whores. I’ve had it done to me in another situation and I’ve heard stories from friends whose doctors have done it to them, too. Everyone has the right to go to a doctor for what they need without feeling like everyone is looking down on them. It’s a doctor’s place to give information, not to judge you for your mistakes.
A great piece of writing.
Although, I think its horrible how some places won’t sell it because of Moral standing. People need it.
A grocery store wouldn’t refuse to sell you meat, even if the manager is a vegetarian.
Loved the article, and it reminded me of when my girlfriend and I went through this sort of situation. Fortunately, we here have a nice and easy clinic near us sort of similar to a planned parenthood clinic that offers Plan B as one of their services. Walked in without an appointment, and 20 minutes later with the box in hand (and partly paid for by the clinic, as well as supplied to minors) we were both very relieved. I think that a couple being able to make such a step into the unknown is an important mark in a relationship. Again, thanks for the article that shed some light onto the subject.
i thought that this was amazingly well written, and funny.
it really is horrible the lengths that women must go to for Plan B.
i have never needed to use it, luckily, but seeing as how i am under 18, it would be pretty hard for me to get it.
i was also surprised at the fact that a lot of pharmacies dont offer it. i mean, i would expect that sort of thing in the bible belt states, but not necessarily in other places.
ah well, but keep up the good work, and this sort of article would be interesting, if you could do more of them.
Hey, Nikol, great piece. Sorry, though, about your struggles obtaining Plan B. I once worked in a pharmacy and one of our pharmacists threatened to tell Plan B seeking patients that we were out of stock. Made me feel damned violent.
I think this would be a great time to point out to the audience how Plan B actually works to prevent a pregnancy as daily hormonal contraceptive pills do and that it is NOT NOT NOT an abortive. Also, it is even being indicated for use up to 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex. But hell, ladies, how about keeping a just-in-case supply on hand at home?
Pre-kids, I had a hard enough time finding condoms- thank god for gas stations and their lack of “morals”, they have racks of condoms at their front counters. You are a brilliant writer chick- I hope to see more of this!
I was really glad to see this article. I’ve yet to turn my less sexually educated friends on to MTSS, but I did get them to read this article. I was amazed they had never heard of Plan B at all (with all the hubbub of it being an “abortion pill” and all…)
I was just wondering if anyone knew if it had an expiration date? I am looking to have some on hand in case of an emergency, but I’ve yet to find an answer.
Thank you for your awesome, though painful, experiment and the well written description thereof. Even though my boyfriend and I are old (OMG, I’ve passed 25, ack!), we’re not ready for kids. I keep Plan B around, as well as being on the pill. Even if I never need it, I have it if a friend does.
Also, I’ve been told that you can also keep 4 tabs of regular BC around and take 2 the first time, 2 the second, like you would the Plan B. I’m on regular dose BC though, not the new-fangled lower dose stuff (I’m a bleeder). I would confirm that this is safe with YOUR doctor, I’m certainly no medical professional.
On the front of the ludicrous price of Plan B, a GREAT option (in some states) is Take Charge, or other similar programs funded by the government. If your insurance wont cover contraceptives or you don’t have any, they’ll pay for them for the year that you qualify as well as the dreaded ‘yearly’. I don’t know what states offer this program, other than my own (Washington), but it is supposedly national.
Thank you again Nikol, we love what you do, and spread it to our friends’ (awesome) teenage spawn whenever possible!
Just fyi, they have places you can order it online too.
getthepill.com
They have overnight shipping or regular shipping.
They will verify your age to see if you are over 18. For those that are 18, you still have to get a prescription, and fill it the traditional way.
I like this article. I like how you actually went out to see how easy (or difficult) it is for a person to aquire Plan B. Very enlightening. It is disapointing to know, however, that some pharmasists won’t sell the drug OTC. If a person works there, their morals should not effect their job. If a vegitarian worked at Burger King they wouldn’t stop serving burgers to people. If they did they would be fired.
It saddens me to see this kind of thing happen. My school is really close to a Planned Parenthood, so I have to walk past it to go to my bus stop or even to go to Dairy Queen. Protesters are there almost everyday, praying, shoving little bibles in hands and waving signs in our faces. Even if you have no intention of going in they start frowning and saying how “you’ll be damned for killing your baby.” And heaven forbid if you look like a gay couple. They go nuts.
Where I used to live (in Door County, Wisconsin, oh the coincidence!) there was a teen wellness center that would give you the EC if you came into their office and asked for it. Granted, you had to get there somehow, but it’s better than nothing. I’m kind of against abortion. Granted, there were women getting abortions, I would rather it be safe, but I really push choosing other options.I think that the morning after pill should be readily available in every pharmacy, hospital, and wellness center.