The Truth About the Morning After PillDuring her freshman year at Northeastern University, 19-year-old Jennifer Grant* thought college was just about doing minimal homework and to go to parties. , and meet new people. She looked forward to every weekend where she was invited to parties with upper-class men. Unfortunately, her world came crashing down when she was raped by another student she knew. Scared and confused by the experience, she turned to her friends for help. “They mentioned rumors about this morning-after pill that would help you get pregnant,” Grant said. She wanted to go to Lane Health Center, but it was Sunday and she knew it was closed. She searched the Internet for information about what she thought was a "magic pill" and discovered she could still take it two days later. On Monday, she walked into Lane Health Center and after waiting a few minutes, she was attended to by a nurse. After nervously explaining what had happened, she said she was given a questionnaire containing a series of medical questions. In addition to the emergency contraceptive pill, a pregnancy test was administered and she was tested for sexually transmitted diseases. “They did everything they could to help me and make me comfortable,” Grant said. “The only thing on my mind was, ‘I can’t get pregnant! » The emergency contraceptive pill (ECP), more commonly known as the “morning after pill”, is an additional contraceptive method used after unprotected sexual intercourse, contraceptive failure or rape. They prevent pregnancy, but are not a method of abortion nor do they protect against sexually transmitted diseases. ECPs do not necessarily have to be taken the “next day.” They can be taken up to 120 hours after unprotected sex, but the sooner they are taken, the more effective they are, according to Pamela Harris, health promotion and planning coordinator at Lane Health Center. they are taken within 72 hours. During unprotected sex, the risk of pregnancy is reduced to 15 percent to 25 percent. There are several types of ECPs available, the most commonly used is Plan B. At Lane Health Center, Ovral, Lo-Ovral, and Levlen are others. types of PCU provided. ECPs are easy to use and are ingested orally. With Plan B, two doses are taken, one as soon as possible and the other about 12 hours later..