Is it bad to take the morning-after pill more than once?
By Amy @ Planned Parenthood | Oct. 14, 2010, 11:54 a.m.
Category: Ask the Experts, Birth Control
is it bad to take EC more than once? is there a long term effect? Will i not be able to have a baby later if i keep taking EC often?
No.Using emergency contraception (EC), also known as the morning-after pill, more than once does not affect a woman’s fertility — and it will not prevent her from becoming pregnant in the future.
Women should feel free to use EC whenever they think it’s necessary. EC is not recommended as an ongoing form of birth control because it’s not as effective at preventing pregnancy as birth control methods like the IUD, patch, pill, ring, or shot. Also, frequent use of EC may cause periods to become irregular and unpredictable.
EC can reduce the risk of pregnancy if started within 120 hours of unprotected vaginal intercourse. The sooner it is started, the better. If started within 72 hours of unprotected sex, it can reduce the risk of pregnancy by 75 to 89 percent.
Women 17 and older can get EC over the counter at drugstores. Women younger than 17 will need a prescription. To get a prescription for EC, visit the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.
Tags: birth control, emergency contraception, the morning-after pill