Emergency Contraception (Morning After Pill & Plan B)

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  What Is the Morning-After Pill (Emergency Contraception)?

  Emergency contraception is a safe and effective way to prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse. 

  There are two kinds of emergency contraception:

  • a pill, commonly called the morning-after pill. The brand names of the morning-after pill are ella, Next Choice, and Plan B One-Step.
  • ParaGard IUD insertion 

  Both kinds of emergency contraception can be used up to five days (120 hours) after unprotected intercourse.

  You may want to use it if
  

  • The condom broke or slipped off, and he ejaculated in your vagina.
  • You forgot to take your birth control pills, insert your ring, or apply your patch.
  • Your diaphragm or cap slipped out of place, and he ejaculated inside your vagina.
  • You miscalculated your "safe" days.
  • He didn't pull out in time.
  • You weren't using any birth control.
  • You were forced to have unprotected vaginal sex.

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  How Does the Morning-After Pill (Emergency Contraception) Work?

  One type of emergency contraception (Plan B One-Step, Next Choice, Levonorgestrel Tablets) is made of one of the hormones made by a woman's body — progestin. Another type (ella) blocks the body's own progestin.

  Both types of emergency contraception work by keeping a woman's ovaries from releasing eggs — ovulation. Pregnancy cannot happen if there is no egg to join with sperm.

  You might have also heard that the morning-after pill causes an abortion. But that's not true. The morning-after pill is not the abortion pill. Emergency contraception is birth control, not abortion.

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  How Effective Is the Morning-After Pill (Emergency Contraception)?

  Emergency contraception can be started up to 120 hours &mdash five days &mdash after unprotected intercourse. The sooner it is started, the better it works.

  Emergency contraception is also known as the morning-after pill, emergency birth control, backup birth control, and by the brand names Plan B One-Step, ella, and Next Choice. Plan B One-Step and Next Choice reduce the risk of pregnancy by 89 percent when started within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse. They continue to reduce the risk of pregnancy up to 120 hours after unprotected intercourse, but they are less effective as time passes.

  You need to use the morning-after pill to prevent pregnancy after each time you have unprotected intercourse. The morning-after pill will not prevent pregnancy for any unprotected intercourse you may have after taking the pills. If you do not have your period within three weeks after taking emergency contraception, you may want to consider taking a pregnancy test.

  The morning-after pill offers no protection against sexually transmitted diseases or infections. You may want to consider STD testing if there is a possibility that unprotected sex put you at risk.

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  How Safe Is the Morning-After Pill (Emergency Contraception)?

  Emergency contraception is safe, and millions of women have used it. Various forms of emergency contraception have been used for more than 30 years. There have been no reports of serious complications.

  Even though Plan B One-Step and Next Choice are made of one of the same hormones used in the birth control pill, the morning-after pill does not have the same risks as taking the pill or other hormonal birth control methods continuously. That's because the hormone in the morning-after pill is not in your body as long as it is with ongoing birth control.

   

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  What Are the Disadvantages of the Morning-After Pill (Emergency Contraception)?

  You may have some undesirable side effects while using the morning-after pill. But many women use Plan B One-Step, ella, and Next Choice with few or no problems.

  Nausea and throwing up are the most common side effects. Less than 1 out of 4 women feel sick when they take them. You can use anti-nausea medicine one hour before taking emergency contraception if you are concerned about being nauseous. Many women also find it helpful to take the emergency contraception pills with a full stomach.

   

  Other side effects of the morning-after pill may include
  

  • breast tenderness
  • irregular bleeding
  • dizziness
  • headaches

  If you use the morning-after pill frequently, it may cause your period to be irregular. Emergency contraception should not be used as a form of ongoing birth control because there are other forms of birth control that are a lot more effective.

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  How Do I Get the Morning-After Pill (Emergency Contraception)?

  Plan B One-Step and Next Choice are available from drugstores and health centers without a prescription for women and men 17 and older. If you are interested in getting emergency contraception and are 17 or older, you can either get it directly from a Planned Parenthood of Northern New England health center or from your local drugstore. If you are younger than 17, you'll need to go to a health center or private health care provider for a prescription. ella is not available over the counter at drugstores, but you can get it with a prescription.

  We all like to be prepared. That is why it's a great idea to keep some emergency contraception in your medicine cabinet or bedside table in case of an accident. Having the morning-after pill on hand will let you take it as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse, when it is most effective. If you are younger than 17, you can ask your health care provider for a prescription that you can fill ahead of time.

  • Need emergency contraception? Find a Planend Parenthood of Northern New England health center or call 1-866-476-1321

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  How Much Does the Morning-After Pill (Emergency Contraception) Cost?

  The cost of emergency contraception varies a great deal. It may cost anywhere from $10 to $70. If you are not 17 and need a prescription, the health center visit may cost up to $250, depending on where you live.

  Family planning clinics usually charge less than private health care providers and drugstores.

  Planned Parenthood works to make health care accessible and affordable. Some health centers are able to charge according to income. Most accept health insurance. If you qualify, Medicaid or other state programs may lower your health care costs. 
  
  Call us at  1-866-476-1321 to get specific information on costs.

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  How Do I Use the Morning-After Pill (Emergency Contraception)?

  Take emergency contraception as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse. The sooner you start it, the better it will work. But it will reduce your risk of pregnancy if you start it up to 120 hours &mdash five days &mdash after unprotected intercourse.

  Next Choice can be taken in one dose or two doses. If you take it in two doses, take the second pill 12 hours after the first pill. Or simply take them both at the same time. It's your choice.

  You can use anti-nausea medicine one hour before taking emergency contraception if you are concerned about getting nauseated. Many women also find it helpful to take the emergency contraception pills with a full stomach.

  After you take emergency contraception, it's normal for your next period to be different from usual.

  • It may be earlier or later than usual.
  • It may be heavier, lighter, more spotty, or the same as usual.

  Be sure to tell any health care provider that you may see before your next period that you have taken the morning-after pill. If you do not have your period within three weeks after taking emergency contraception, or if you have any symptoms of pregnancy, take a pregnancy test or schedule an appointment with your health care provider.

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  Can I Use Regular Birth Control Pills as Emergency Contraception?

  Yes, certain brands of birth control pills can be used in increased doses as emergency contraception. The Emergency Contraception Website has information about what brands of pills can be used and how to use them.