Is It Bad To Take The Morning
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 , also known as the morning-after pill, more than once does not affect a womans fertility and it will not prevent her from becoming pregnant in the future.
Women should feel free to use EC whenever they think its necessary. EC is not recommended as an ongoing form of birth control because its 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
Planned Parenthood delivers vital reproductive health care, sex education, and information to millions of people worldwide. Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. is a registered 501 nonprofit under EIN 13-1644147. Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable under the law.
Will My Period Be Normal After Plan B
The short answer: probably not. The fact is, Plan B and other similar emergency contraceptive pills perform their function of preventing a pregnancy from occurring by changing your natural hormones. Plan B One Step is a POP, progestin-only pill containing 1.5 mg of Levonorgestrel. This is a high dosage of a hormone that basically disrupts the ovulation, fertilization and implantation of a pregnancy.
This changes the natural routine of your menstrual cycle and creates a different hormonal balance within your body. Most of the time this means that something about your period is going to be different from what you normally experience. These changes affect women differently, and studies have shown that the changes are greatly affected by what point during your menstrual cycle you take Plan B.
Should I expect to see bleeding right away?
First, let us clarify that there is a significant difference between emergency contraceptive pills such as Plan B and RU-486, the abortion pill. You wont see evidence of a terminated pregnancy like heavy bleeding after you take Plan B. In fact, if you are already pregnant when you take Plan B then you will still be pregnant afterward, because it only works to prevent implantation before pregnancy, but has no affect if you are already pregnant.
So, you should not expect to see bleeding right away unless you were due for your period anyway.
Will my period come at the same time it usually does?
Will my period be late after taking Plan B?
Can I Get The Morning After Pill In Advance
It is possible to use our service to get the morning after pill if you think you might have unprotected sex. As it is important to take the morning after pill as soon as possible after unprotected sex, getting the morning after pill in advance can be helpful for preventing pregnancy.
Despite this, you should not rely on the morning after pill as a method of routine contraception.
References
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Contraception For The Future
If youre not using a regular method of contraception, you might consider doing so to protect yourself from an unintended pregnancy.
There are several methods of contraception that protect you for a long period, so you dont have to think about them once theyre in place, or remember to use or take them every day or every time you have sex.
These methods include the:
See a GP, nurse or visit your nearest sexual health clinic to discuss the options available.
What Happens After I Take It
Side effects of taking Plan B are generally mild and can include:
- Headache
- Abdominal pain
- Occasional spotting for 1-3 days
If side effects are severe or you are having an allergic reaction seek medical attention immediately.
Your period should start within 21 days after taking Plan B. If your period is late by more than 1 week, pregnancy testing and follow-up with your health care provider are recommended. Plan B will not prevent pregnancy from future acts of unprotected intercourse, so use birth control until your next period.
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What If You Take It After 72 Hours
Although the manufacturers advise taking Plan B within 3 days of unprotected sex, you can take it up to 5 days after penis-in-vagina sex.
Research has found that Plan B is moderately effective when taken between 72 and 120 hours after sex.
But remember that its effectiveness decreases the longer you wait.
Theres no officialweight limit for Plan B.
But the pill may not be as effective for people who have a
After conflicting results, some researchers have recommended a greater level of counseling for people who fall into those two categories.
But they point out that theres no reason to restrict Plan B.
More research is needed into whether a higher weight and BMI decreases the effictiveness of Plan B. For now, youre free to take it, no matter how much you weigh.
However, other forms of EC may be more effective.
Plan B only works to prevent a pregnancy it cant end one.
It helps prevent pregnancy by using a bigger dose of levonorgestrel, the synthetic hormone found in birth control pills.
This mimics the natural hormone, progesterone, delaying the release of an egg from the ovary, thereby preventing ovulation.
If no egg has been released, theres nothing for sperm to meet, and therefore no fertilization.
Theres been talk of Plan B also working to prevent a pregnancy
- breast tenderness
Your menstrual cycle may also temporarily change.
This means your period could come earlier or later, and it could be heavier or lighter.
Plan B Is Not An Effective Long
Plan B is about 75% to 89% effective in preventing pregnancy when taken within three days of unprotected sex, but it shouldn’t be used as a long-term form of birth control, White says.
Although plan B can decrease your chances of becoming pregnant after unprotected sex or if your method of birth control fails, White recommends more effective, and affordable options for long-term contraception, including:
Plan B won’t affect your future fertility or lead to harmful long-term health effects, but it can disrupt your period, which is another reason it isn’t recommended as a long-term form of contraception, White says.
You’re more likely to experience irregular bleeding during a cycle in which you’ve used plan B, and that irregularity may increase with multiple doses, White says. It may also delay the timing of your next period.
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Where To Get Plan B
You can skip the script Plan B is available over the counter. You dont need to show your ID to buy it, either. You can usually get it from your local pharmacy.
The average cost ranges from $40 to $50, according to Planned Parenthood. You can also opt for a generic brand. Theyre just as effective and tend to be easier on the wallet.
Ella will set you back about $50. Youll need a prescription, but it might be covered by insurance.
You also need an Rx for an IUD, since a doctor has to insert it. Thankfully, the device and procedure are often covered by insurance.
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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Types Of Emergency Contraception Pills
There are 2 types of emergency contraceptive pills commonly sold in the U.S.:
Editors note: Technically, a doctor could have you take higher doses of regular combination birth control pills as emergency contraception, something called the Yuzpe regimen. But thats not as effective as the other 2 types listed above, and it brings with it more side effects. Additionally, the copper IUD could be inserted within 5 days as a form of emergency contraception.
Scientists have found that both Plan B One-Step that you can get over-the-counter, or the prescription for ella, are safe to use to prevent pregnancy. Any side effects that you have after taking either of the emergency contraceptive pills should be mild and short-term.
After you take emergency contraceptive pills, the most common side effect is you guessed it changes to your menstrual periods.
Here is a list of some possible side effects after using a morning-after pill like Plan B:
- Irregular bleeding
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How Much Does Emergency Contraception Cost And Does Insurance Cover It
The cost of emergency contraception can be prohibitive for some: Over-the-counter Plan B One-Step is $40-$50 in most retail stores without insurance. That said, other less well-known brands with the same active ingredient and efficacy can be as low as $11 per dose.
You can get ulipristal acetate through your healthcare provider or online for $90 without insurance. Getting a copper IUD could range from $0-$1,300, depending on whether or not you have insurance.
All forms of emergency contraception should be covered by your insurance plan if prescribed by your healthcare provider though, as we’ll cover in the next section, this might be an issue in certain states.
If you need access to low-cost or free emergency contraception, check with the closest Planned Parenthood.
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How Effective Is Plan B
Again, Plan B prevents pregnancy. That makes it tricky to gauge its accuracy . Youd have to know how many folks wouldve gotten preggo if they hadnt taken it and thats impossible.
So, the actual success rate is an estimate. Plan Bs package insert says its 95 percent effective if taken within 24 hours of sex and 61 percent effective if taken between 48 and 72 hours after sex.
Some studies question whether these stats are legit. Experts have argued that progestin-only pills like Plan B are between 52 and 100 percent effective. Once more, its hard to know for sure.
Which Type Of Emergency Contraception Is Best For Me
There are lots of good options. But the best one for you depends on different things. Your age, for instance — some nonprescription products have age limits. Also, your insurance may cover only certain types.
When you had sex can matter, too. Some products work for about 3 days after, some for 5. Your body weight may also be a factor.
Research shows that Plan B One-Step starts to lose its effectiveness in women heavier than 165 pounds and isnât recommended for anyone over this weight. Instead, a copper-releasing IUD is the suggested option. The IUD seems to work better than pills for heavier women.
The copper IUD is the most effective form of emergency contraception, and may also be the best long-term birth control. A doctor or nurse needs to put it in and remove it if you decide you want children.
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Does The Hormonal Iud Affect Future Fertility
The short answer: The hormonal IUD doesn’t affect future fertility.
The long answer: The Intrauterine Device is a small contraceptive device that is inserted into the uterus. This hormonal IUD works more like other hormonal contraceptives . Hormonal IUDs use the synthetic hormone progestin to thicken the cervical mucus, stopping sperm from travelling to the egg and often preventing ovulation.
Like other hormonal methods, most women show a quick return to fertility after using Mirena, and don’t experience any long term fertility problems associated with uncomplicated use of the IUD.
Many women voice concerns about infection and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease . In the case of new IUDs, the risk of PID and infection is very low infection can occur in the weeks following insertion but is usually mild and can be treated with oral antibiotics.
Could The End Of Roe V Wade Impact Access To Emergency Contraception
On Friday, the Supreme Court overturned Roe, the 1973 landmark case that constitutionally established the federal right to abortion, in its closely-watched Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization ruling.
The reversal could cause 26 states to ban abortion, according to the Guttmacher Institute. Thirteen of these states have “trigger laws,” which are now set to go into effect automatically or through a quick state action because Roe no longer applies.
More:Supreme Court ruling triggers maze of state abortion laws
The Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe could eventually have impacts beyond abortion rights, experts warn. Roe established the right to abortion under the right to privacy, bringing into question what the reversal could mean for other landmark rulings that also used the right to privacy including same-sex marriage, interracial marriage and, again, contraception.
In a concurring opinion written by Justice Clarence Thomas, he noted that cases including Griswold v. Connecticut , Lawrence v. Texas and Obergefell v. Hodges “are not at issue” right now.
However, Thomas wrote, “In future cases, we should reconsider all of this Courts substantive due process precedents, including Griswold, Lawrence, and Obergefell.”
People across the U.S. can still buy and access emergency contraception like morning-after pills but many worry that abortion bans and restrictions could trickle down to other forms of contraception in the future.
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Plan B Won’t Affect Your Fertility But It Can Cause Other Side Effects And Isn’t An Effective Long
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Plan B does not affect your future fertility, no matter how many times you take it.
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However, you should not use Plan B as a long-term form of birth control because it can cause irregular bleeding, headaches, and fatigue.
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Birth control options that are more effective include the pill, patch, implants, and IUDs.
Plan B is a type of emergency contraception that delays or prevents ovulation. It can decrease your chance of getting pregnant immediately after unprotected sex, but does not affect long-term fertility and will not prevent you from becoming pregnant in the future.
Here is what you need to know about how Plan B works and why it doesn’t affect fertility.
How Effective Is The Morning After Pill
Emergency contraception cant prevent all pregnancies.
If you take the LNG-ECP pill within 3 days of having sex, it will probably be effective. Out of every 100 expected pregnancies, between 80 or 90 will be avoided with this pill. The sooner you take it, the better the chance of it working.
If you take the UPA pill within 5 days of having sex, it is very likely to be effective. Out of every 100 expected pregnancies, 98 will be avoided with this pill. Again, the sooner you take it, the better the chance of it working.
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Get Your Pregnancy Test
Fort Worth Pregnancy Center offers confidential pregnancy services, including pregnancy testing, at no cost to you. Our lab-quality tests can detect a pregnancy within ten days of conception.
Contact us today for an appointment with one of our caring professionals, and get the answers you deserve. You can also call or text us at 817-924-9110 or email us at
Cleveland Clinic Staff. . Ovulation, conception & getting pregnant. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/11585-pregnancy-ovulation-conceptiongetting-pregnant.
Goldman, R. . What is implantation bleeding? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/implantation-bleeding.
Mayo Clinic Staff. . Morning-after pill. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/morning-after-pill/about/pac-20394730.
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How Soon Should You Take Plan B How Does The Pill Work
Despite the name, you don’t have to take a morning-after pill the morning directly after having unprotected sex. You can take Plan B and other levonorgestrel pills up to five days after, but the sooner the better. Planned Parenthood notes that it works best to take a levonorgestrel pill within three days of unprotected sex.
In basic terms, a levonorgestrel morning-after pill is a hormone-based contraceptive that prevents or delays ovulation, which is when an egg is released from the ovary. It’s like a highly-concentrated birth control pill, Dr. Mary Jacobson, an OB-GYN and chief medical officer at Alpha Medical, previously told USA TODAY.
The pill is very safe, but there can be some mild side effects. According to the Mayo Clinic, side effects can include nausea, fatigue, headache, bleeding between periods, or heavier menstrual bleeding.
More:What to know about birth control as Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade
You cannot take Plan B too much, Shah notes, because it will just continue to delay ovulation. Planned Parenthood says it’s “totally safe to take the morning-after pill as many times as you need to” but adds that it might not be the best form of go-to contraception in the long term due to the financial cost, some of the side effects and because other types of birth control may be a better fit.
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