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Plan B Side Effects: Role in Preventing Pregnancy & Plan B Side Effects

- Written By

Sana Farhan, MS Healthcare

Updated on

This article is based on scientific evidence, written by experts and fact checked by experts. Our team of experts strive to be objective, unbiased, honest and to present both sides of the argument. This article contains scientific references. Read more about our process.

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Plan B is a sort of emergency birth control pill. Women with unprotected intercourse or whose birth control method has not worked can use emergency contraception to avoid getting pregnant. If you’re looking for Plan B side effects, this article will assist you in every aspect and way possible.

Plan B shouldn’t be used as your main form of contraception; instead, it’s only meant to be an alternative. You cannot use it as a regular method of contraception, and it won’t shield you from HIV or other STDs, else, you’ll have to face the consequences of Plan B side effects.

It contains the hormone levonorgestrel. He is additionally known as the morning-after pill. However, you do not have to wait until the morning following sex to use it. Levonorgestrel works better the sooner you start taking it.

EContra EZ, My Way, Next Choice One Dose, Plan B One-Step, plan b side effects, Preventeza, and Take Action are among the brands of Levonorgestrel. Within 72 hours of unprotected sex, they are prescribed as a one-pill emergency contraceptive or as two pills to be taken separately.

How Does Plan B Work?

According to where you are in your cycle, levonorgestrel aids in preventing pregnancy following unprotected sexual activity. It can hinder or postpone ovulation.

The medication prevents your ovary from releasing an egg, which is how it works. The sperm may be unable to fertilize the egg as a result.

If fertilization occurs, it might stop the egg from clinging to the womb. Levonorgestrel is ineffective if a fertilized egg is implanted before you consume it; therefore, pregnancy will still occur.

What Is Plan B’s Effectiveness?

Levonorgestrel can lower your risk of becoming pregnant by up to 87% if you utilize it as prescribed within 72 hours of having unprotected intercourse. It works considerably better if you take it within 24 hours.

However, Levonorgestrel isn’t as efficient as typical contraception, so you should be aware of that. Therefore, avoid using it as a method of birth control. Additionally, it does not offer you any protection against STDs. It’s not for everyday use; consider it a backup. Plan B gets its name from this.

How Effective Is the Morning-After Pill?

Even when utilizing contraceptives, getting pregnant is still a possibility. In this case, you could elect to implement Plan B. However, knowing how it might impact the body and what to do if it fails.

Plan B is a temporary solution, but it might not always be the best or safest option. Evaluating any potential health hazards is essential before using emergency contraception. When used correctly, it can help with pregnancy prevention, but you should be aware of any possible adverse effects.

Plan B may affect the timing of your periods if it throws off your body’s hormonal equilibrium, causing several Plan B side ffects and complications. Following the administration of the medicine, some individuals may feel nausea, headaches, or fatigue. It’s equally crucial to consider how it might affect both your present and potential fertility and your overall reproductive health.

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Plan B side Effects & Drawbacks

It’s essential to be aware of any potential Plan B side effects so you can protect your health! The typical unfavourable impact of Plan B side effects include:

  • Inconsistent cycles
  • Feeling nauseous
  • Headache
  • Lack of sleep
  • Pain in the stomach or cramping
  • Vomiting or nausea
  • Sensitive breasts
  • Plan B contains the hormone levonorgestrel, which can make someone allergic, causing Plan B side effects.

How to Take Plan B?

The appropriate method to intake the medicine to avoid any kind of plan b side effects is described in this section. It can be bought over-the-counter in pharmacies without requiring a prescription or age verification. Consider having an accessible amount in the medicine drawer since it works best if utilized immediately. Employ an effective method of birth control and make arrangements for a backup plan even better. 

You should take this medicine if:

  • Your diaphragm moved erratically.
  • You’ve skipped at least two or three consecutive active birth control pill doses.
  • You failed to put on your patch or insert your ring.
  • You also have another reason to believe that your birth control may not have been effective.
  • You have to engage in unguarded sexual activity.

Keep in mind that if you engage in unprotected sex after taking Plan B, it will not prevent you from becoming pregnant. You must use a method of contraception during sex to avoid any pla b side effects and complications afterwards, and take the medication as soon as you have unprotected intercourse to prevent pregnancy.

When to avoid taking Plan B?

In order to avoid the possible plan b side effects, onoe must evaluate the circumstances whether he/she really needs to take it or not. Avoid using Levonorgestrel if: 

  •  You either already know or think you might be pregnant.
  •  You’ve already had allergies or have a high sensitivity to its substances.
  •  Your doctor hasn’t yet examined a history of recent irregular vaginal bleeding that you’ve experienced.

Is Period Regularity Affected by Plan B?

If you’re concerned about getting pregnant without trying, Plan B may cause irregular periods, which could be alarming. You could experience a one-week delay, more bleeding during your subsequent period, or bleeding between cycles.

Call your doctor immediately if you get severe lower stomach pain, bleeding, or spotting lasting longer than a week, three to five weeks after taking Plan B. These symptoms could indicate a successful pregnancy, a miscarriage, or an ectopic pregnancy.

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What are the signs that plan b didn’t work?

These are the signs that Plan B didn’t work in your case:

1) Missed Period

A missed period is one of the most typical indicators that Plan B might not have succeeded. It’s crucial to remember that Plan B side effects might also affect your menstrual cycle and result in an early or late period.

2) The period that is Significantly Lighter or Heavier Than Normal

 If you use Plan B and then get your period, and it’s significantly lighter or heavier than usual, it may indicate that the emergency contraception wasn’t successful.

3) Spotting

Light spotting or irregular bleeding may occur in some Plan B users. This is a typical adverse reaction, but it could also indicate that the emergency contraception did not function as intended.

Plan B’s side effects could include exhaustion, nausea, and aching breasts. The drug’s effectiveness can be questioned, though, if you have no side effects.

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4) Positive Pregnancy Test

 If a home pregnancy test reveals that you are pregnant, it is obvious that Plan B side effects did not work to end the pregnancy. In this situation, you should consult a doctor if you want medical guidance.

5) Multiple Unprotected Sexual Relations

 If you engage in unprotected sexual relations more than once after using Plan B, the emergency contraceptive’s efficacy may be compromised.

What to do if plan B fails?

It could be unsettling and unpleasant if Plan B fails to prevent pregnancy. If you are on urgent contraception and think that YOU could be pregnant, accomplish these actions:

1) Pregnancy test at home

 The initial step is to do a pregnancy test at home. Most pregnancy tests scan your urine for the hCG hormone. The best results come from waiting until your period has been missed or until at least two weeks before engaging in unprotected intercourse.

2) Speak to a medical professional.

You should consult a doctor if your pregnancy test is positive if the results leave you with any concerns. Schedule a visit with your physician to go over the possibilities and determine if you are expecting.

Explain the circumstances at the appointment, including any instances of unprotected sexual contact, Plan B usage, Plan B side effects and any other pertinent facts. Your doctor will examine your case and provide you with the necessary advice.

Whatever happens, you must put your well-being first at this point. Your physician will give you advice on prenatal treatment.

3) Seek Emotional Support

It can be challenging to deal emotionally with an unanticipated pregnancy. By getting in touch with friends, family, or support groups during this time, you can discuss your emotions and look for emotional support.

FAQs

Plan B is safe to take, but it’s not intended to be a daily contraceptive.In order to avoid any plan b side effects, Only use it in an emergency. If you frequently use emergency contraception, you might want to discuss better long-term contraceptive choices with a healthcare provider.

The primary mechanism of Action of Plan B is to stop ovulation or fertilization. It may also change the uterine lining to prevent implantation. It won’t end an ongoing pregnancy, though, as it is not an abortion pill. Plan B won’t work if you think you’re pregnant already. You eed to stay away from any situations that causes you to face any plan b side effects.

No, Plan B provides no STI (sexually transmitted infection) protection. It has no protection against STIs and only serves to prevent pregnancy. Use condoms consistently and appropriately to prevent STIs. Protection is better than using Plan B and STIs to avoid any Plan B side effects afterwards.

The Bottom Line

Plan B is a solid backup method of contraception, but it cannot prevent pregnancy. It occasionally might not work as intended, casting doubt on its effectiveness. Missed or irregular periods, unusual bleeding, no side effects, and a positive pregnancy test are all signs that Plan B side effects may not have worked.

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You must move swiftly if you notice any of these signs or think Plan B has not worked. Consider using a home pregnancy test or consulting a medical expert for an accurate assessment and advice. Early detection is necessary to make choices about your reproductive health and weigh your options.At this point, we hope that all of your confusions and concerns regarding Plan B, Plan B side effects might have been solved.

How we reviewed this article

Trend Of Health has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy

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