What To Expect From Plan B

Plan B is a contraceptive pill, also called emergency contraceptive or the morning-after pill, that can prevent unwanted pregnancy after unprotected sex. Plan B contains a high dose of levonorgestrel, a progestin used in some oral contraceptives.
  1. Time Frame

    • You must take the first Plan B pill within 72 hours of unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy. You then must take a second pill 12 hours after the first pill. Vomiting within an hour of taking Plan B decreases the pill's effectiveness.

    Effectiveness

    • When started within 72 hours (three days) of unprotected sex, Plan B is 89 percent effective. If you start Plan B within 24 hours of unprotected sex, it is even more effective at preventing pregnancy.

    Side Effects

    • Side effects of Plan B are similar to those of oral contraceptives and include dizziness, fatigue, menstrual changes, nausea and tender breasts. Up to 23 percent of women experience side effects.

    Complications

    • Severe abdominal pain after taking Plan B could be a sign of ectopic pregnancy, meaning the egg has implanted outside of the uterus. Plan B may also raise blood sugar levels, so diabetics should be monitored during use.

    Pregnancy

    • Taking Plan B when you are pregnant will not terminate the pregnancy. Plan B is not known to cause birth defects in a developing fetus.

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