What Happens If You Take Plan B And Are Pregnant

November 11, 2021

What Happens If You Take The Plan B Pill And You Werent Pregnant

Pharmacist explains Plan B Contraceptive! Things you NEED to know!

Health related question in topics Womens Health .We found some answers as below for this question What happens if you take the Plan B pill and you werent pregnant,you can compare them.

You Dont Take It Soon Enough

Morning-after pills like Plan B and Next Choice are effective if you take them within five days of unprotected sex. The major caveat here is that they work best when taken within 72 hours, then the efficacy starts dropping. Within three days after unprotected sex, these kinds of morning-after pills are between 75 and 89 percent effective at preventing pregnancy, according to Planned Parenthood. The sooner you take it, the better its going to work, Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Yale Medical School, tells SELF. Although levonorgesterel-based options like Plan B and Next Choice prevent pregnancy up to five days after unprotected sex, think of those first 72 hours as prime time.

Ella, the prescription morning-after pill, is also effective for up to five days after unprotected sex, but its equally as effective the entire time, Katharine O’Connell White, M.D., M.P.H., director of fellowship in family planning, Boston University/Boston Medical Center, tells SELF. Ella decreases your risk of getting pregnant by 85 percent if you take it within the appropriate window.

Paragard also needs to be inserted within that five-day window in order to be effective.

Birth Control Pill And Birth Defects

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration , there is no evidence that taking combination birth control pills or progestin-only pills while pregnant will harm your baby in any way, either by increasing the risk of birth defects or causing pregnancy complications.

It is important to note that there has not actually been a lot of research on this subject. This is not because of oversight or lack of interest. Medical ethics would simply not allow anyone to conduct research that may place a mother or her unborn baby in harm’s way.

As such, most of the data is derived from epidemiological research comparing mothers who have used birth control pills during early pregnancy against those who haven’t. In this regard, there has been little difference in either the number of birth defects, miscarriage, or stillbirths between either group.

The CDC notes that progestins taken in early pregnancy slightly increase the risk of hypospadias in boys .

The studies leading to this conclusion are older and were mostly of women taking progestins for infertility or to prevent pregnancy loss and not the low doses of progestins seen in today’s birth control pills.

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Can You Take Plan B On Birth Control

Yes, you can take Plan B on birth control. If you forgot to take your birth control pill and had unprotected sex, you could take the morning-after pill to prevent an unplanned pregnancy. You can resume taking your birth control again right away. Its best to use another form of contraception until your birth control is fully reliable again after the missed pill or pills.

How Effective Is The Emergency Contraceptive Pill

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Emergency contraceptive pills are around 85% effective at preventing pregnancy. The ulipristal acetate emergency contraceptive pill , is more effective at preventing pregnancy than the levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive pill.

Another emergency contraception option is the non-hormonal copper IUD. It is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. See non-hormonal copper IUD for more information.

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Alternatives To Plan B

A person may use a different form of emergency contraceptive if they prefer. Some generic versions that are effective as Plan B when people take them within 72 hours of unprotected sex include:

My Way: According to the manufacturer, a person should take My Way as soon as possible if they have engaged in sexual activity without any barrier methods. Those who experience severe abdominal pain should seek immediate medical help, as they may have an ectopic pregnancy. In addition, this pill can change a persons next expected period.
Next Choice One-Dose: This is available without a prescription and requires people to take it within 72 hours of unprotected sex. It may not be very effective for those who have a weight of more than 160 lb.

Take Action: This can be taken within 72 hours after engaging in unprotected sex to reduce the chance of pregnancy. According to the National Library of Medicine, a person should not use the Take Action pill as a regular birth control method or if they are already pregnant. Also, this pill can cause menstrual changes, tiredness, and breast pain among others.

A person may also wish to take Ella, which is the branded version of ulipristal acetate. It can reduce a persons chance of getting pregnant by 85% if they take it within 5 days after having unprotected sex. It is available with a prescription.

When To See A Doctor

People should not use the Plan B One-Step as a regular birth control pill. They should discuss with their doctor if they are interested in learning more about regular birth control and the options that are suitable for them.

Planned Parenthood also recommends that individuals ask a doctor to determine if Plan B is safe for them. This is because levonorgestrel morning-after pills may not work if a person is taking other medications, including:

the antibiotic rifampin

The following are some frequently asked questions about Plan B One-Step.

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You Have More Unprotected Sex After You Take Ec

Sometimes people think that after a dose of EC, they a sexual get-out-of-jail-free card, Dr. White explains. That’s not true. Ovulation is just delayed, not stopped, so further acts of unprotected sex put you in the line of fire, she says.

Once more, with feeling: Everyone makes mistakes. If you need emergency contraception, theres no reason to feel down on yourself. It only becomes somewhat concerning if it becomes a habit, because it means there might be a better birth control option out there for you. If you find yourself needing morning-after contraception on several occasions, its not dangerous, but we can do better, Dr. Minkin says. If youre sick of taking birth control pills, we can get you an IUD, the Nexplanon implant, or something elsethere are lots of options, and you dont have to rely on morning-after contraception.

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If You’re Already Using Regular Contraception

Pregnancy After Plan B Pill & KETO | 19 Week Update Belly Shot

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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Who Can Use The Iud

Most women can use an IUD, including those who are HIV positive. A GP or nurse will ask about your medical history to check if an IUD is suitable for you.

The IUD might not be suitable if you have:

an untreated sexually transmitted infection or a pelvic infection
problems with your womb or cervix
unexplained bleeding between periods or after sex

The emergency IUD won’t react with any other medicines you’re taking.

How Does The Morning After Pill Work

The morning after pill works by stopping or delaying your ovary releasing an egg. It might also stop the sperm from reaching an egg that has already been released.

If the sperm has already fertilised the egg, it is too late and the pill won’t work.

The morning after pill is for emergency contraception only. It doesn’t protect against sexually transmitted infections .

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How Effective Is The Morning After Pill

Emergency contraception can’t 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.

Get Your Pregnancy Test

Can You Take Plan B While On Birth Control Shot

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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Can Birth Control Pills Be Used As Emergency Contraceptives

Yes, although this method isnt as effective as Plan B or Ella. It may cause more side effects like nausea and vomiting, too.

Many birth control pills contain estrogen and progestin, and may be taken in higher-than-usual dosages as emergency contraception.

To do this, take one dose as soon as possible up to 5 days after youve had sex without a condom or other barrier method. Take the second dose 12 hours later.

Possible Risks And Side Effects

Plan B and other forms of emergency contraception are relatively low-risk. They have been in use for over 30 years.

Emergency contraceptive pills do not carry the same risks as taking other forms of hormonal birth control on a continuous basis.

This is because the hormones remain in a persons system for a much shorter period than they do when taking ongoing birth control.

The primary risk associated with using Plan B is an unplanned pregnancy since it is less effective than other forms of birth control. Another risk is the risk of irregular periods, especially if a person takes plan B regularly.

It is also an expensive form of birth control. Other methods are likely more cost-effective.

Short-term side effects that may result from emergency contraceptive pill usage include:

dizziness

tender breasts
vomiting

These side effects should only last a few days, although a persons period may be up to 7 days late. If the period does not arrive after a week, it is best to take a pregnancy test.

There are no long-term risks of morning-after pill use. The pills also do not affect a persons future fertility.

Other forms of contraception are more reliable than Plan B at preventing pregnancy. People should speak to their doctor about the best form for their needs.

Options include:

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Is Plan B One

I still got pregnant after taking an emergency contraception pill. Why didn’t it work?

No. RU-486, sold as Mifeprex, is a prescription drug for medical abortion. Mifeprex is used after a woman is already pregnant. Plan B One-Step is an emergency contraceptive. It is used to prevent pregnancy. While some people do feel that pregnancy begins at the time of conception, many doctors and the FDA do not describe Plan B One-Step as an abortion pill but as emergency contraception.

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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.

Who Can Use The Emergency Pill

Most women can use the emergency contraceptive pill. This includes women who can’t use hormonal contraception, such as the combined pill and contraceptive patch. Girls under 16 years old can also use it.

But you may not be able to take the emergency contraceptive pill if you’re allergic to anything in it, have severe asthma or take any medicines that may interact with it, such as:

the herbal medicine St John’s Wort
some medicines used to treat epilepsy, HIV or tuberculosis
medicine to make your stomach less acidic, such as omeprazole

some less commonly used antibiotics

ellaOne can’t be used if you’re already taking one of these medicines, as it may not work. Levonelle may still be used, but the dose may need to be increased.

Tell a GP, nurse or pharmacist what medicines you’re taking, and they can advise you if they’re safe to take with the emergency contraceptive pill.

You can also read the patient information leaflet that comes with your medicine for more information.

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Can Taking The Birth Control Pill While Pregnant Hurt My Baby

If you’ve been taking the birth control pill and discover you are pregnant, you may wonder whether this could cause the baby harm and if there a chance that it may lead to a miscarriage or stillbirth.

Most research suggests that you need not worry. There are some types of birth control that may cause complications, but, for the most part, using birth control pills or other hormone delivery devices is relatively safe.

Brianna Gilmartin / Verywell

Can Plan B Harm You When Your Body

The most common side effects of taking Plan B are nausea, vomiting, and irregular bleeding, the doctor says. loazon. So don’t panic if you feel uncomfortable. You just have to be vigilant if you have to throw up, just in case. About one in five women experience nausea and half of them vomit, the doctor says.

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Should You Take A Pregnancy Test After Plan B

The short answer about whether you should take a pregnancy test or not after taking Plan B is, It depends.

No matter what, a pregnancy test will not detect a pregnancy until a minimum of ten days after conception, so wait at least that amount of time. Its best to wait no less than two weeks after conception to reduce your risk of a false-negative test result.

If your next period after taking Plan B is normal, and you dont have pregnancy symptoms, you dont need to take a pregnancy test.

However, you should take a pregnancy test after Plan B if:

You miss your next period.

If you dont get your next period, take a pregnancy test. Its common for your next period to be a few days early or late after taking Plan B. Keep in mind that bleeding within a few days of taking Plan B is not a period, so dont count it as one.

Also, dont count spotting as a regular period. Sometimes, women experience implantation bleeding when they are pregnant and think its a light period. This misunderstanding can delay a pregnancy diagnosis.

Youre experiencing pregnancy symptoms.

Plan B side effects can mimic pregnancy symptoms when you arent pregnant. But if you have pregnancy symptoms and suspect you might be pregnant despite getting a period, go ahead and take a pregnancy test.

You need peace of mind.

Sometimes, you simply need a little peace of mind. And thats a valid reason to take a pregnancy test!