There are 3 kinds of emergency contraception, however, at ECDC we only distribute Levonorgestrel aka Plan B because it is the only method that is available without a prescription and without needing a provider to insert it. 

Other forms of emergency contraception include Ella (Ulipristal) and IUDs (copper and hormonal).

If taken within 3 days it is about 89% effective at preventing pregnancy. 

• Levonorgestrel is more effective the sooner it is taken, so you should take it as soon as you are able.

• Weight can impact the effectiveness of Levonorgestrel so if you are over 165lbs it is less effective.

Description text goes hereLevonorgestrel works by stopping or delaying ovulation from happening. This means that no egg is released from the ovary and thus there is no egg for sperm to fertilize and no pregnancy.

• If you have already ovulated it will not be effective at preventing pregnancy, but it is also important to know that it doesn’t mean you are automatically pregnant. The only EC method that is effective at preventing pregnancy after ovulation is the copper IUD (see more about the copper IUD later)

  • How to know if you have ovulated?

• If you have already ovulated and an egg has been fertilized using levonorgestrel will not harm the fertilized egg and it is not harmful to take levonorgestrel if you are not sure if you have ovulated. 

Plan B or the Morning after pill contains a high dose of Levonorgestrel which is a synthetic hormone that is also in some forms of birth control pills. The dosage of this hormone that is needed to stop ovulation and thus prevent pregnancy also can impact your menstrual cycle and have some other side effects. 

• Common side effects:

  • Spotting or bleeding between periods. 

  • Irregular period - later or earlier. 

    • Later period is a common side effect that can at first seem confusing and scary, but what really is happening is that Levonorgestrel is delaying ovulation and thus pushing your period back, so while it can be scary to have your period be late after taking EC it is a common symptom. If your period is more than 1 week late or hasn’t come 3 weeks after taking Levonorgestrel it is a good idea to take a pregnancy test.

  • Nausea

    • Can be alleviated by avoiding taking Levonorgestrel on an empty stomach. If you do experience nausea, the good news is that it shouldn’t last too long.

    • If you do vomit within 2 hours of taking the medication it won’t work and you need to take it again.

  • Abdominal Pain

    • Like nausea, the good news is that it shouldn’t last too long.

    • If your abdominal pain is severe that is a sign of ectopic pregnancy and you should seek immediate medical attention.

  • Fatigue

  • Headache

    • Happens in about 10% of people who take the Morning After Pill.

    • There is no problem with taking an over the counter pain medication like ibuprofen to help alleviate, it will not interact with the Levonorgestrel.

  • Dizziness

  • Breast Tenderness

    • Should last no more than 1-2 days. 

• When do side effects start?

  • Usually within a couple hours of taking the medication. 

• None of the side effects of Levonorgestrel are long term and they should go away within a couple of hours, a couple of days, or a couple of weeks depending on what they are. If you are concerned about the side effects you are experiencing you should consult a medical professional.

• How often can you take it?

  • You can take it as often as you need to. It does not become less effective over time. 

  • However, you should not take Levonorgestrel if you have already taken Ella since your last period. More on this later. 

• Is taking two better than one?

  • While it may seem like it might work, studies have shown that taking two doses of Levonorgestrel at the same time does not increase the effectiveness and does not increase the effectiveness for people who are over 165 pounds. 

• Can using EC impact fertility?

  • No. EC does not have any long term impacts on your fertility or ability to get pregnant in the future.

• Is Levonorgestrel the abortion pill?

  • No. Despite what mis and disinformation about emergency contraception says, it is not an abortion pill or abortifacient and emergency contraception does not end a pregnancy, all of the methods can only prevent it. 

• Are there any common drug interactions?

  • There are some medications that can make Levonorgestrel less effective

    • The antibiotic Rifampin (other antibiotics don’t make Plan B less effective)

    • The antifungal Griseofulvin (other antifungals don’t make Plan B less effective)

    • Certain HIV medications

    • Certain anti-seizure medications (these are also sometimes used to treat psychiatric disorders like bipolar disorder)

    • The herb St. John’s Wort. 

  • If you are concerned about drug interactions or are on a medication you don’t know how it will interact with Plan B it is a good idea to talk to a healthcare provider.