Can you prevent an unintended pregnancy after the heat of the moment cools down and "morning after reality" sets in? With the morning after pill, the good news is "Yes."

The Emergency Contraception Pill (ECP) has been called the nation's best kept secret. The evidence supporting use of this medication has been known for years, but only became widely available recently.

Currently there are two commercially available products. These are the Preven kit, manufactured by the Gynetics Corporation, and Plan B, distributed by Women's Capital Corporation. Preven is a combination pill containing both estrogen and progesterone. Plan B is a progesterone-only pill. Both products are available by prescription through University Health Services in the Women's Health Department weekdays and through the Urgent Care clinic on Saturdays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Patients need a visit with a nurse, but there's no physical examination involved.

An ECP's primary action is to delay or inhibit ovulation by giving high doses of estrogen and/or progesterone to alter the hormonal cycle. To a lesser extent, ECP may inhibit implantation of a fertilized egg in the uterus or may interfere with the transport of sperm or an egg through the female reproductive tract.

The medication does not last for a long time in the body because it is a hormone the woman's body recognizes and breaks down easily. This medication does not change anything that is already present; it does not cause a miscarriage or induce an abortion. In some circumstances, a pregnancy test may be recommended to rule out an established pregnancy before ECP is taken.

Used within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse, ECP can reduce the risk of pregnancy to 1 percent.

ECP should be used as a back up to a regular method of contraception and should not be considered as a main method of birth control.

The risk for serious side effects is very small.

These include the risk of blood clot formation, heart attack, stroke and liver problems.

More common side effects include fatigue, headache, breast tenderness and menstrual changes.

Women who regularly use a barrier method for contraception, like condoms or a diaphragm, may wish to talk to their provider and get a prescription during the regular annual gynecology exam for future use if needed. This is known as "anticipatory ECP."

Emergency contraception should not be a secret. It is a safe and effective way to prevent an unintended pregnancy.

Yeast growth due to imbalance of vaginal organisms

Question: What is a yeast infection and is it serious?

Answer: Vaginal yeast infections aren’t generally serious. Yeast, a fungus, may grow rapidly if the delicate balance of normal vaginal organisms is disturbed.

Symptoms can include a thick, white discharge, itching, redness and swelling around the opening to the vagina, burning sensation during or after urination or vaginal burning or discomfort during intercourse.

Vaginal yeast prefers a warm, moist environment.

So some preventive measures include keeping cool — avoid nylon underpants, pantyhose, or tight-fitting pants, immediately remove wet bathing suits or damp exercise clothing, avoid feminine hygiene sprays, bubble baths and using douches.

Getting adequate rest, eating a well-balanced diet, including less sugar, and reducing stress also helps minimize recurrences.

If you are sexually active and need vaginal lubrication during intercourse, use a water-soluble lubricant.

Do not use oil-based products such as Vaseline. Anti-fungal medications for yeast infections are now available without a prescription.

For more information check out http://www.psu.edu/UHS/yeast.html.

Question: I’ve never had a gynecological exam. What does it involve and is it painful?

Answer: When a woman becomes sexually active, whatever her sexual orientation,she should have a yearly breast exam, pelvic exam, and pap test.

If she reaches age 18 before becoming sexually active, she should get an exam at that time.

The exam takes about 30 minutes and involves taking a medical and reproductive history, conducting a complete physical exam and pap smear that can detect abnormal cell changes before they develop into cancer.

Though the pelvic exam may be an awkward experience, it should not be painful. For a complete description of the exam, visit http://www.psu.edu/UHS/pelvicexam.html.