A backup plan you can count on after unprotected sex
Plan B must be taken within 72 hours after one incident of unprotected sex (i.e., the condom breaking or missing a birth control pill). And the sooner you take it, the better it works.
How Plan B Works
It’s important to feel informed and in control when it comes to your sexual health and
preventing pregnancy.
So let’s start with the facts. Plan B is safe and effective emergency contraception. It is
not an abortion pill and will not harm an existing pregnancy.
What you should know about Plan B
Feel Informed and in Control
Emergency contraception that works by temporarily delaying ovulation
Similar to birth control pills, Plan B works by temporarily delaying ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary), so there’s no egg to meet the sperm. No egg, no fertilization, no pregnancy.
It won’t impact your
ability to get pregnant later on
Not ready right now, but think you might want to get pregnant in the future? Plan B only temporarily delays ovulation. Taking it now to help prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex won’t impact your ability to get pregnant in the future.
How It Works
How does Plan B fit into your
birth control regimen?
Birth control (or contraception) is any method, medicine, or device used to prevent a
pregnancy before it starts. There are many different types of birth control. Some work
better than others at preventing pregnancy and no method is 100% effective. But your
chances of getting pregnant are lower if you use a more effective method.
- Primary methods of birth control are meant to be used before sex to prevent a
pregnancy. These methods can range from things like condoms (which can be
found right at the store without a prescription) to birth control pills or IUDs
(which need to be prescribed by your doctor). - Emergency contraception (like Plan B) is a form of birth control that is meant
to be used if your primary method failed (like a condom broke or you missed
pills) or you forgot to use primary birth control. Plan B is used to help prevent
pregnancy after sex and must be taken within 72-hours after unprotected sex
or if your primary birth control failed. The sooner you take it, the better it will
work. It is not meant to be used as a regular form of birth control because it
is not as effective.
If you find that you are using Plan B frequently, talk to your doctor about finding a
primary birth control method (a “plan A” method) that is right for you.
Keep In Mind
Plan B won’t interfere with your regular birth control methods or make them any less
effective. So, you can continue your regular birth control right away—or start one, if you
don’t have a regular method.
Prepared not embarrassed
“Women should not have to feel embarrassed or ashamed to purchase
emergency contraception. They should feel proud of themselves for
being so responsible.”
Recent Plan B User
