La Voz

The emergency contraceptive pill (known as the "morning-after" pill), "Plan B," is available for any female De Anza College student. It is designed for women who have had unprotected sex or had other contraceptives fail during intercourse in the last three days.

The pill contains birth control as well as estrogen that disrupts ovulation and interferes with the sperm's ability to travel through the fallopian tubes.

It also introduces new hormones to the female's body, stopping the natural fl ow of the egg being released from the ovary. According to Licia Johnson, De Anza's health educator, it is a "great thing that we have these options on campus." She said that in regular pharmacies, the pill costs $60-$120, whereas in the health services office a student may purchase it for only $20.

The process includes going to health services, making an appointment with the nurse, filling out health forms, paying the fee and having a consultation with the nurse.

"The nurse will ask some basic questions such as if you are taking any other medications, check your blood pressure and give you information about other options of birth control," Johnson said, "She will give you the tools necessary for this situation not to happen again."

In general, the pill should not be treated as a continuous form of birth control. "The nurse will not give the pill numerous times," Johnson said.

"Be safe," Johnson said. "But know that there is a plan B.

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