What are emergency contraception pills (Plan B or generic equivalents) and how do you use them?
Plan B (or generic equivalent), also called the “morning after pill”, is a contraceptive method that is used to prevent pregnancy after an episode of unprotected sex, a contraceptive failure (such as a broken condom or a missed pill), or a sexual assault.
Plan B contains a hormone (a progestin) that works by delaying or preventing ovulation or the release of an egg. If there is no egg for the sperm to fertilize no pregnancy can occur. Plan B is most effective when taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex (but can be taken up to 5 days after). Because emergency contraceptive pills are most effective the sooner they are taken after unprotected sex, it’s a good idea for people to have these on hand ahead of time in case they are needed. Plan B can be purchased over-the-counter without a prescription or age restrictions.
There are other forms of Emergency Contraception - another pill called Ella, or the IUD that might be a better option for you. You can read more about the options here.
Emergency contraception is not the same as abortion because emergency contraception is used to prevent pregnancy. Emergency contraception is not effective and will not harm the pregnancy if taken when you already are pregnant. You can find more information about medication or in-clinic abortion here.
Plan B contains a hormone (a progestin) that works by delaying or preventing ovulation or the release of an egg. If there is no egg for the sperm to fertilize no pregnancy can occur. Plan B is most effective when taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex (but can be taken up to 5 days after). Because emergency contraceptive pills are most effective the sooner they are taken after unprotected sex, it’s a good idea for people to have these on hand ahead of time in case they are needed. Plan B can be purchased over-the-counter without a prescription or age restrictions.
There are other forms of Emergency Contraception - another pill called Ella, or the IUD that might be a better option for you. You can read more about the options here.
Emergency contraception is not the same as abortion because emergency contraception is used to prevent pregnancy. Emergency contraception is not effective and will not harm the pregnancy if taken when you already are pregnant. You can find more information about medication or in-clinic abortion here.
What about my privacy?
Access Vending will never sell or share your personal information. Purchases on vending machines are safe. Our card readers are NSF-compliant - meaning they are just as safe, if not safer then swiping/tapping your card or phone at the store or online. Your card information is never stored on the machines or server.
The names of the products you purchased will not appear on your bank statement - purchases will appear as “Seaga Vending Machine” and the amount.
Example: 1/1/2024—Seaga Vending Machine—$20.00
The names of the products you purchased will not appear on your bank statement - purchases will appear as “Seaga Vending Machine” and the amount.
Example: 1/1/2024—Seaga Vending Machine—$20.00
Why vending machines?
Why not?!! Seriously, though, vending machines have many desirable qualities when you consider them mini-markets. They allow for a convenient and anonymous way to purchase reproductive health items.
In 2013, the FDA approved levonorgestrel emergency contraception (EC) as an OTC product without age restriction, thus eliminating the need for a prescription. However, despite this general availability, the accessibility and convenience of EC pills have not been fully realized due to the challenges associated with purchasing them from mass-market retailers. Many mass-market box stores (CVS, Walmart, and Target) secure these products with locked plastic packages on store shelves. This necessitates face-to-face interaction with an employee to unlock the package, making discreet self-checkout impossible. Furthermore, EC pills can be pretty costly. At mass-market pharmacy retailers like CVS and Walmart, generic EC pills range from $29.99, while Plan B One-Step, the brand-name version, can cost as much as $49.99.
We aims to address these issues by making EC pills and other reproductive health products conveniently accessible through vending machines at competitive prices. The convenience and discretion of purchasing these items through vending machines support individual decision-making and bodily autonomy as they eliminate the barrier presented by purchasing them in traditional brick-and-mortar stores.
Colleges and Universities around the country have started utilizing vending machines to increase access to Emergency Contraception, STI home tests, and Narcan. Read more about the Emergency Contraception for Every Campus (EC4EC) initiative here.
In 2013, the FDA approved levonorgestrel emergency contraception (EC) as an OTC product without age restriction, thus eliminating the need for a prescription. However, despite this general availability, the accessibility and convenience of EC pills have not been fully realized due to the challenges associated with purchasing them from mass-market retailers. Many mass-market box stores (CVS, Walmart, and Target) secure these products with locked plastic packages on store shelves. This necessitates face-to-face interaction with an employee to unlock the package, making discreet self-checkout impossible. Furthermore, EC pills can be pretty costly. At mass-market pharmacy retailers like CVS and Walmart, generic EC pills range from $29.99, while Plan B One-Step, the brand-name version, can cost as much as $49.99.
We aims to address these issues by making EC pills and other reproductive health products conveniently accessible through vending machines at competitive prices. The convenience and discretion of purchasing these items through vending machines support individual decision-making and bodily autonomy as they eliminate the barrier presented by purchasing them in traditional brick-and-mortar stores.
Colleges and Universities around the country have started utilizing vending machines to increase access to Emergency Contraception, STI home tests, and Narcan. Read more about the Emergency Contraception for Every Campus (EC4EC) initiative here.
Products purchased via Access Vending machines are not intended to substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician, advanced practice clinician (such as an NP, PA, or Certified Midwife), or other qualified health provider (Pharmacist) with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or medication.