In the ongoing spirit of bringing the world in an accessible and entertaining way, I decided today to blog about birth control. It's high time, I say! Ladies of Toronto and Canada, this ones for you.

And, the boys cringe.

Topic of the Day: The Morning After Pill or Plan B

As of 2005, the Morning After Pill (.75mg of Levonorgestrel) was approved for over the counter sales. Though Canada is the 34th country to approve Plan B OTC it continues to divide the public. Thankfully, in Canada, it is only debated and women's reproductive right continues to prevail.

What is it?

The Morning After Pill which is available OTC here in Canada is Plan B. Plan B is two particularly high dosages of the progestin only hormone, Levonorgestre, delivered orally 12 hours apart.

What does it do?

Plan B acts both to prevent ovulation or fertilisation and possibly post-fertilisation implantation of a blastocyst (embryo). Phew! What a lot of talk!

Well frankly you must take the pill as soon as humanly possible. It is still effective 72 hours after sex, however, the effectiveness is greatly diminished. So take it fast, not slow.

Where can I find it?

Drug stores across Canada and Clinics.

Is it easy to get?

Yes, walk in to the pharmacists counter. Suck up your courage, admit you had sex, accept everyone's doing it too and say "Can I have the Morning After Pill, please"? The pharmacist will take you aside and in 1 minute explain the side effects, will produce a little blue box and charge you $33 for it.

Planned Parenthood Clinics sell Plan B for less, how much? I don't know, I haven't called them yet. But, keep an eye out on this space, the information will come.

Side Effects?

Nausea, headaches, cramping... although, some women don't experience a single side effect, others experience them all. In the end, it's a small price to pay for peace of mind.