What Is In Plan B
“Levonorgestrel is the active hormone in Plan B,” says Krishna Kakani, an MD who has her own OB/GYN practice.
Levonorgestrel is a synthetic progestin hormone that prevents pregnancy in two ways:
It’s important to note that plan B works to prevent fertilization, it will not terminate a pregnancy if the egg has already implanted.
Since levonorgestrel affects ovulation and the uterine lining to prevent pregnancy, taking Plan B could alter the timing, length, and flow of your next period.
“Emergency contraceptives that contain levonorgestrel are most effective if taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex,” says Kakani. Plan B is just one type of emergency contraceptive that contains levonorgestrel. Others brands include:
How To Make Sure The Ec Pill Works For You
However, there are ways you can boost the chance your pill works when you take it.
If You Take Levonelle Or Ellaone
Levonelle and ellaOne don’t continue to protect you against pregnancy if you have unprotected sex at any time after taking the emergency pill, you can become pregnant.
They aren’t intended to be used as a regular form of contraception. But you can use emergency contraception more than once in a menstrual cycle if you need to.
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How The Emergency Contraception Pill Works
The EC pill is the method you reach for after having unplanned sex when you do not have protection. Protection means taking a regular contraception method like daily pills, implants, injections, or using a condom before sex.
Currently, after unprotected intercourse, we have two main methods for preventing an unplanned pregnancy the emergency pills or the copper IUD.
The Copper IUD or Copper coil is a small device that an experienced health provider fits inside your womb in the clinic.
It is the most effective emergency birth control method and needs to be fitted within five days of unplanned sex or five days of ovulation.
But if you cant get the Copper coil, the emergency contraception pill is your next best bet.
How Effective Is Plan B One
A levonorgestrel morning-after pill like Plan B One Step, Take Action, My Way, Option 2, Preventeza, AfterPill, My Choice, Aftera, and EContra can lower your chance of getting pregnant by 75-89% if you take it within three days after unprotected sex.
You can take Plan B and other levonorgestrel morning-after pills up to five days after unprotected sex. But sooner is better the longer you wait to take it, the less effective it is.
These types of morning-after pills may not work if you weigh more than 165 pounds. If thats the case, IUDs or ella are better options for you. Our handy quiz can help you figure out which EC is best for you.
Though there are many different brands of levonorgestrel morning-after pills, they all work the same way. All brands have the same amount of medicine and the same effectiveness, no matter how much they cost.
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Youve Lost Or Gained Weight
Severe changes in body weight can screw with your periods timing. Extreme increases or decreases in body fat, for example, can lead to a hormonal imbalance that causes your period to come late or stop entirely.
In addition, severe calorie restriction affects the part of your brain that talks to your endocrine system and gives instructions for the creation of reproductive hormones. When this communication channel is disrupted, hormones can get out of whack.
How To Take Levonorgestrel
Plan B One Step can be purchased over the counter at drugstores without a prescription or proof of age. Because it is most effective when taken as soon as possible , consider having a ready supply in your medicine cabinet. Better yet, use a reliable form of birth control, and plan for a backup method of birth control.
You can take it if:
- You didn’t use any birth control.
- The condom came off or broke.
- The diaphragm slipped out of place.
- You missed at least two or three active birth control pills in a row.
- You forgot to insert your ring or apply your patch.
- Your partner didn’t pull out in time.
- You have another reason to think your birth control might not have worked.
- You were forced to have unprotected sex.
Remember:Plan B will not protect you from getting pregnant if you have unprotected sex after taking it. To protect you against getting pregnant, you need to take it right after you have unprotected sex and use a form a contraception when you have sex
Do not take levonorgestrel if:
- You know you are pregnant or suspect you might be.
- You have a history of allergy or hypersensitivity to its ingredients.
- You have a history of recent abnormal vaginal bleeding that your doctor has not yet evaluated.
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When Should A Person Use Emergency Contraception
Emergency contraception should be used if:
- You had unprotected PIV sex, which means your partner did not use a condom and you are not using another method of birth control .
- You forgot to take your birth control pills on time .
- You forgot to change or insert your hormonal ring, or apply your birth control patch .
- Your partners condom broke or slipped off while you were having sex.
- You were forced to have unprotected intercourse .
When Should You Take The Morning After Pill
Plan B works best if the pill is taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex or contraception failure. So, you have a 3-day window to take Plan B however, it is important to know that the earlier you take it, the more effective it is.
You can take Plan B at any time during your menstrual cycle. However, keep in mind that it is only meant to be used as an emergency contraceptive pill. If you have a positive pregnancy test, Plan B will not work as an abortion pill.
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How Does The Morning After Pill Affect Your Period
A common side effect of using the morning after pill includes a temporary impact on your menstrual cycle. It can be longer, shorter, heavier, lighter, earlier or delayed you get the jist. All of these changes should only last for one cycle before your period returns to what is normal for you.
When studying the bleeding patterns after using the levonorgestrel morning after pill, researchers found that out of 232 participants, 14% experienced irregular bleeding, changes in menstrual cycle length, period length and menstrual appearance compared to the usual characteristics of their period¹. Another study found that only irregular bleeding occurred in only 5% of women in the first cycle after taking the morning after pill.
Irregular bleeding thats out of the ordinary for you following a one off dose of the synthetic hormone in the morning after pill is likely due to a breaking down of the lining of the womb, which can lead to bleeding and spotting². This bleeding shouldnt be excessive or prolonged, so if youre bleeding heavily after using Levonorgestrel, Levonelle, Ezinelle, Plan B or ellaOne morning after pills, speak to a healthcare professional to make sure theres no other underlying cause.
How Long Does Plan B Stay In The Body
As mentioned, Plan B works best within the first 3 days after unprotected intercourseor failure of regular birth control. You should take the pill as soon as possible, ideally within 24 hours.
Once you take Plan B, its only effective for about 5 days. After this time, the plasma concentrations of the synthetic hormone produced by this medication fall to negligible levels. Five days is also amount of time that sperm can survive in the female reproductive tract.
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How Does Levonorgestrel Work
Depending upon where you are in your cycle, levonorgestrel helps prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse. It may prevent or delay ovulation.
Levonorgestrel is not the same as RU-486, which is an abortion pill. It does not cause a miscarriage or abortion. It will not work if you are already pregnant when you take it. Learn more about how emergency contraception works.
You Have A Chronic Condition
Certain chronic health problems, especially celiac disease and diabetes, are sometimes associated with menstrual irregularities.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that affects your digestive system. When people with celiac disease eat gluten, their immune system reacts by attacking the lining of the small intestine.
When the small intestine is damaged, it impairs the bodys ability to absorb nutrients from food. This can lead to malnourishment, which affects normal hormone production and leads to missed periods and other menstrual irregularities.
Those with type 1 and type 2 diabetes might also experience a missed period in rare cases. This tends to only happen when blood sugar levels are not managed.
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What Makes This Different From Plan B
Its normal to experience light bleeding, or spotting, after taking Plan B. Its usually nothing to worry about if it happens to you.
Spotting is a side effect of the extra hormones that the EC pill releases inside your body. But it can also be a sign of early pregnancy, so try to keep track of your menstrual cycle and take a pregnancy test if you feel unsure.
Can I Get The Emergency Contraceptive Pill In Advance
You can get the emergency contraceptive pill in advance of having unprotected sex if:
- you’re worried about your contraceptive method failing
- you’re going on holiday
- you can’t get hold of emergency contraception easily
See a GP or nurse for further advice on getting advance emergency contraception. You can also talk to them about your options for regular methods of contraception.
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Next Period Vs Morning After Pill Spotting
After taking emergency contraception, it is normal to experience some light bleeding or spotting as an effect of the extra hormones. It is important to note that this bleeding is not the same as your period. Heres what you can expect from any morning after pill bleeding:
- Timing: Any bleeding from the morning after pill will start within a few days after taking it.
- Duration: If you do bleed, it will only last a day or two, or occasionally slightly longer.
- Flow: Morning after pill bleeding will be very light, possibly even just a few spots.
- Other potential side effects: The hormones in the morning after pill can also cause side effects like abdominal pain, nausea, headaches, fatigue, breast tenderness, and dizziness. These should subside within a few days.
If you find yourself in need of the morning after pill, South Avenue Womens can help. Our medical professionals can help you access emergency contraception and then set you up with a reliable birth control option. If you missed the window for emergency contraception and are dealing with an unplanned pregnancy, we can also can provide information about and perform safe, confidential, and effective abortion services if you decide thats what is right for you.
Call us today at to schedule an appointment with our caring team members!
If You’re Already Using Regular Contraception
You may need to take the emergency pill if you:
- forgot to take some of your regular contraceptive pills
- were late having your contraceptive implant or contraceptive injection
If you have taken Levonelle, you should:
- take your next contraceptive pill, apply a new patch or insert a new ring within 12 hours of taking the emergency pill
- continue taking your regular contraceptive pill as normal
Use additional contraception, such as condoms, for:
- 7 days if you use the patch, ring, combined pill , implant or injection
- 9 days for the combined pill Qlaira
- 2 days if you use the progestogen-only pill
If you have taken ellaOne:
- wait at least 5 days before taking your next contraceptive pill, applying a new patch or inserting a new ring
Use additional contraception, such as condoms, until you restart your contraception and for an additional:
- 7 days if you use the patch, ring, combined pill , implant or injection
- 9 days for the combined pill Qlaira
- 2 days if you use the progestogen-only pill
A GP or nurse can advise further on when you can start taking regular contraception and how long you should use additional contraception.
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Should You Be Worried If The Morning After Pill Delays Your Period
No, you shouldnt be worried if the morning after pill delays your period as this can be a side effect, says Julia.
There are many reasons why your period might be delayed by more than seven days, she continues. Some people have irregular cycles so it can be hard to predict when the next period is due, but stress and weight loss can also affect the menstrual cycle. Other causes include menopause, polycystic ovaries, thyroid issues and diabetes.
If your periods are irregular, or youve missed one altogether, it could be down to a range of factors. Find out more about why you might miss your period here.
Please speak to your health care provider if you have any questions or concerns.
How Do I Use Plan B And Other Levonorgestrel Morning
Take levonorgestrel morning-after pills as soon as you can after unprotected sex. Simply swallow the tablet the way you would any other pill. Read the instructions that come in the package for more information.
You can take these morning-after pills up to five days after unprotected sex, but they work much better if you take them during the first three days.
Take a pregnancy test if you havent gotten your period within three weeks after taking the morning-after pill.
Dont take Plan B One-Step or other levonorgestrel morning-after pills if youve taken ella in the last five days.
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How Do You Even Know When Youre Ovulating
Its a tough one. There are some physical signs to look out for.
For example, more or clearer vaginal discharge can be a sign that youre ovulating. You may also experience tender breasts and bloating.
Hormone levels also rise at this time you can measure this with a kit that you urinate on. Some people even use fertility or menstrual tracking apps to help them predict ovulation.
But even those who think they have a pretty good idea can be wrong.
Although ovulation tends to happen between 10 and 16 days before your period, the exact day can change from month to month.
Plus, it can be affected by the likes of diet and stress.
Plan Bs manufacturers say the morning after pill may prevent fertilization if ovulation has already happened.
But studies have disputed this, suggesting that the levonorgestrel pill has after ovulation.
So what options do you have to prevent an unwanted pregnancy post-ovulation?
Again, the copper IUD is your best bet. Its still effective after ovulation, with the ability to stop a fertilized egg from implanting.
This can be a costly upfront option, depending on your insurance, and it requires an appointment with a healthcare professional.
But your local clinic or Planned Parenthood may be able to help, too. If youre in the United States and arent sure where to start, check out our state-by-state guide on accessing free or low-cost birth control and emergency contraception.
How Effective Is Plan B
Plan B is a very effective emergency contraception pill. Plan B works well to prevent pregnancy within three days of an unprotected sex act, but is most effective when taken within 24 hours of the incident, says Madeline Sutton, OB/GYN, a medical epidemiologist and former Commissioned Corps Officer at the CDC. A morning-after pill like Plan B can prevent pregnancy 75% to 89% of the time if you take it within three days of unprotected sex.
Even though theres no limit to how many times you can take Plan B, taking more than one dose per unprotected sex event wont make it more effective. If you have unprotected sex again the day after taking Plan B, then you should take another dose. Take one pill for every act of unprotected sex, but remember that Plan B is not a substitute for regular birth control. Talk to your healthcare provider about the most appropriate form of birth control for you.
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