Plan B is a type of emergency contraception that can help prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. It works by temporarily stopping the release of an egg from the ovary or by preventing the sperm and egg from joining together. Plan B is available over the counter without a prescription at pharmacies. It can also be purchased at some family planning clinics and local health departments.
It’s not safe
Taking Plan B before sex can increase your risk of complications. It can also prevent your body from absorbing the medication, which may reduce its effectiveness. It’s important to understand the risks and how the pill works before you take it. It is best to buy it ahead of time and keep it in your medicine cabinet for emergencies. This will ensure that you have it when you need it. It’s also a good idea to talk to your doctor about any medications that might affect how well it works.
Plan B works by stopping sperm from implanting in the uterus by thinning the uterine lining. It’s important to remember that it won’t stop a fertilized egg that’s already established, so you should always use another form of birth control when you have unprotected sex – This section was prepared by the service’s author Captivating Desires. You can also look for early pregnancy symptoms, like a missed period or nausea and vomiting.
You can find Plan B at most drug stores in the family planning aisle or by asking the pharmacist for help. You can also get it from Planned Parenthood and other health clinics. It is recommended to take it within 72 hours of unprotected sex, but the longer you wait, the less effective it will be.
A similar type of morning-after pill called ulipristal can be more effective than Plan B, but it’s only available with a prescription from your healthcare provider. It’s also only available at certain times in the menstrual cycle.
It’s not effective
Plan B, also known as the morning-after pill, is a type of emergency contraception that can prevent pregnancy if you forget to take your birth control or have unprotected sex. The pill contains a high dose of the hormone levonorgestrel and is designed to be taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex. It is available over-the-counter without a prescription, and is often available at health units, Planned Parenthood centers, and local family planning clinics. It is not recommended for routine contraceptive use, as it does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like HIV, genital herpes, and chlamydia.
It works by preventing ovulation and by thinning the uterine lining, making it more difficult for sperm to attach to an egg. It is effective for up to five days after sex, but it does not work as well the longer you wait.
You can tell if Plan B worked by looking at the date of your next period. If it is more than a week late, then Plan B did not work and you should consider taking a pregnancy test.
The active ingredient in Plan B, levonorgestrel, leaves your body after about a week, says Nicole M. Bender, MD, a gynecologist at Keck School of Medicine of USC. The exact amount of time depends on your individual metabolism and your menstrual cycle. This is why it is best to take Plan B within the first 72 hours after unprotected sex, as it is more effective than later in the day.
It’s not a good idea
Taking Plan B before you have unprotected sex can decrease the effectiveness of the pill. The morning-after pill works by delaying ovulation, so it’s most effective when taken within 72 hours of having unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. It can also be taken up to five days after unprotected sex.
However, it’s important to know that Plan B only prevents pregnancy if an egg has not already been fertilized. If an egg has been fertilized, it is too late for the levonorgestrel in Plan B to prevent the pregnancy. Using long-term birth control, such as condoms, the birth control pill, IUDs, implants, shots, or rings is the best way to prevent unplanned pregnancy.
If you’re concerned about whether Plan B will work for you, it’s worth testing yourself with a home pregnancy test or visiting a family planning clinic. You can also purchase Plan B One-Step over the counter at most drugstores and pharmacies, and it’s not age or sex-restricted.
It’s also important to know that Plan B can affect your next period. It may come later, lighter, or heavier than normal, and you may experience nausea, abdominal pain, dizziness, or breast tenderness. If you vomit within two hours of taking the pill, it won’t work and you should take a second dose or use another form of emergency contraception.
It’s not recommended
Plan B, which is also known as the morning-after pill, helps prevent pregnancy if it’s taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex. It works by preventing the release of an egg from an ovary (ovulation) and by stopping sperm from fertilizing an egg. The medication contains a hormone called levonorgestrel, which works in different ways depending on where you are in your menstrual cycle.
Levonorgestrel can delay ovulation for a few days, but it will leave your body in about a week, Gariepy says. It can also be effective for up to five days after you have unprotected sex, but the sooner you take it, the more effective it will be.
You can purchase Plan B at your local pharmacy without a prescription if you’re 17 or older. You can also find it at family planning clinics and Planned Parenthood centers. It is also available online, but you must be aware that it may delay your period.
Some medications can interfere with how well Plan B works, including antidepressants, some seizure medications, and some antibiotics. A health care provider can help you figure out if the medicine will interact with any of your medications. You should also tell the nurse if you’ve been sick or vomited within two hours of taking Plan B. If you do, another dose may be necessary.
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