ellaOne: An FDA advisory panel unanimously ruled this new emergency contraception (morning after pill, Plan B) drug is both safe and effective.
The main advantage of ella is it effectively prevents pregnancy up to five days after sex. Current EC loses effectiveness after three days. Ella will provide women with two additional days to obtain EC.
It’s important to point out that ella is not an abortion pill, nor will it cause a pregnant woman to have an abortion. Additionally, ellaOne is not yet on the market.
HPV vaccine available for males: As with girls/women, men can now get the HPV vaccine between the ages of 9 and 26. The need for the HPV vaccine in men is great. Half of sexually active men in the U.S. will get HPV at some point in their life, but most won’t know it. HPV is easily transmitted and certain types of the virus can increase the risk of or cause cancer of the anus or penis in males, as well as genital warts.
No matter who you are or how old you are, talk with a health care provider to find out if the HPV vaccine could benefit you or your child.
Free birth control: Health insurers may soon offer contraceptives at no extra charge. New health plans have to offer preventive services for free to patients and many believe birth control should fall into that category.
It could take up to a year for the federal Health Resources and Services Administration to make it’s decision on the subect. In the meantime, we’ll be sure to keep you posted with their progress.
