Mar Monte FAQs

Below are the responses to many of our frequently asked questions (FAQ). Please review them first. If you do not find an answer to your question below, send an email to Ask Planned Parenthood at questions@ppmarmonte.org. We are not able to respond to all questions submitted via e-mail. However, we will post the responses to many questions below. To protect privacy we will not display names, e-mail addresses or any other personal information.

If your question is not answered we encourage you to call the FACTS OF LIFE LINE - 1-800-711-9848 or 408-277-0777 in San Jose. Anonymous answers to your questions about birth control, pregnancy, sexuality, and more! Speak with a counselor Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or access recorded health messages 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Emergency Contraception (morning after pill)?

10. Where is the closest PPMM clinic?

DISCLAIMER: in order to give you the medical information best suited to your needs, please see a health care professional at a
Planned Parenthood clinic near you. We cannot give medical advice or diagnose medical problems on this web site or over the phone.

1. What is Emergency Contraception (morning after pill)?
Emergency Contraception (EC) is a sequence of two doses of certain oral contraceptives (birth control pills)One dose is taken immediately.The second dose is taken twelve hours later.If taken within 5 days of unprotected intercourse, the risk of pregnancy is greatly reduced. EC works by inhibiting ovulation or fertilization. It is not an abortion pill.The combination of pills differs depending on the oral contraceptive used. Consult a health care professional before using your own birth control pills as EC.

2. How do I get Emergency Contraception (the morning after pill)?

California
In California, you may get Emergency Contraception direct from a partcipating pharmacy without first going to a doctor or clinic.

To locate a pharmacy in California, visit http://www.ec-help.org/pharmacylocations.asp?state=CA

You also can obtain Emergency Contraception from your local Planned Parenthood clinic. For our locations, please visit our health center pages. You also can call 1-888-NOT-2-LATE. This toll free EC hotline will give you the names, addresses, and phone numbers of the of the 5 EC providers nearest to you.

Nevada
In Nevada, a prescription is needed to receive Emergency Contraception. For a confidential appointment to receive EC, call a Planned Parenthood clinic or 1-888-NOT-2-LATE. The toll free EC hotline will give you the names, addresses, and phone numbers of the of the 5 EC providers nearest to you.

3. I missed a Birth Control Pill. What should I do?
If you miss a birth control pill, you may increase your risk of getting pregnant.What you need to do depends on how many pills you missed (one, two, or three) and which week of your pill pack you are in. If you don't have the instructions you were given when you got your pills, or you don't understand them, call your clinic to speak with a nurse or clinician. Be ready to tell them how many pills you have missed and where you are in your pill pack (have your pills in your hand in case you're not sure where you are in the pack).

If you miss any pills, it is best to use condoms or to not have sex for a week.Depending on how many pills you've missed, your clinician may recommend that you take emergency contraception if you've had unprotected sex.

4. How long do I have to take birth control pills before they work?
When first beginning birth control pills, use a backup method of contraception (such as a condom) for two weeks to prevent pregnancy.

5. What should I do if the condom broke or if I had unprotected sex?
If a condom failed or wasn't used, there is an increased chance of pregnancy or the transmission of a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Contact the clinic nearest you to receive a prescription for Emergency Contraception and to discuss the need for STD screening.

6. How can I tell if I am pregnant?
A missed period is the most common symptom of pregnancy. However a woman's cycle can be affected by illness, travel, stress and changes in eating and sleeping habits. Other signs of pregnancy include nausea, headaches, inexplicable fatigue, sore, tender or enlarged breasts and frequent urination.

The best method of determining pregnancy is through a pregnancy test, either a home test or one done in a clinic or your doctor's office. Urine tests can detect pregnancy between 7-20 days after fertilization depending on the test used.

7. When can a woman get pregnant?
If a woman has unprotected sex, she is at risk of becoming pregnant at any time during the month. Women ovulate at differing times, depending on the length of their menstrual cycle. The most fertile time is generally 3 days before and 3 days after ovulation.

8. How much do PPMM services cost?
PPMM is committed to providing comprehensive medical care to the community; therefore, we accept a variety of payment methods and offer funding programs to assist clients. PPMM accepts Medi-Cal for most of its services. Private pay clients pay fees on a sliding scale based on income level and family size.Low income clients may qualify for low or no cost services.

9. Can my parents find out I go to PPMM?
While adolescents are encouraged to involve parents or other concerned adults in their decisions, all client information is kept confidential and cannot be released without the client's permission.

10. Where is the closest PPMM clinic?
You can call 1-800-230-PLAN (7526) toll free to be automatically connected to the Planned Parenthood clinic closest to you. You also can visit our clinic pages.