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.
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Time Frame
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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
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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.
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Side Effects
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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
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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
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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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