Many individuals on daily birth control pills wonder about using emergency contraception like Plan B. This article clarifies how both medications work and when emergency contraception might be considered, even while on routine birth control.
How Plan B and Birth Control Work
Plan B One-Step, an emergency contraceptive, contains a high dose of levonorgestrel, a synthetic progestin. It primarily delays or prevents ovulation. If ovulation has already occurred, Plan B will not be effective. Plan B is not an abortion pill and will not terminate an existing pregnancy.
Daily birth control pills contain synthetic hormones, either estrogen and progestin or progestin only. They prevent pregnancy by primarily preventing ovulation, thickening cervical mucus, and thinning the uterine lining. Consistent daily use maintains continuous hormone levels for effective contraception.
Situations Requiring Emergency Contraception
Emergency contraception is for use after unprotected sex or when a primary contraceptive method fails. It is most effective when taken as soon as possible, ideally within 72 hours, though it can be used up to 120 hours.
Common reasons include missed doses of daily birth control pills. If multiple active pills are missed, or a new pack is started late, contraceptive protection can be compromised. Missing two or more combined hormonal pills, or having unprotected sex after a missed pill, often warrants emergency contraception. Vomiting or severe diarrhea shortly after taking a birth control pill can also reduce its absorption and effectiveness.
Other failures include barrier method issues. Indications include a condom breaking, slipping off, or leaking during intercourse, or a dislodged diaphragm or cervical cap. Emergency contraception is also an option following sexual assault.
Combining Plan B with Regular Birth Control
Taking Plan B while already using hormonal birth control is safe and has no serious long-term health risks. The high dose of progestin in Plan B can temporarily disrupt the body’s hormonal balance and menstrual cycle. This can lead to short-term side effects.
Common temporary effects include:
Nausea
Vomiting
Headaches
Breast tenderness
Irregular bleeding or spotting
Fatigue or dizziness
While Plan B does not impact the long-term effectiveness of regular birth control, use a backup contraceptive method, such as condoms, for at least seven days after taking it. This is important if pills were missed, as consistent daily use re-establishes full protection.
What to Do After Taking Plan B
After taking Plan B, continue your regular birth control pills as prescribed. This ensures ongoing protection from your daily method. Discontinuing regular birth control could increase the risk of unintended pregnancy.
The hormonal surge from Plan B can affect your menstrual cycle, so your next period may differ (earlier, later, heavier, or lighter). If your period is significantly delayed (more than a week) or absent within three weeks of taking Plan B, take a pregnancy test. Plan B is for emergencies only and not a routine contraceptive, as regular birth control is more effective for ongoing prevention.
Seeking Professional Medical Advice
Consult a healthcare provider after taking Plan B in several situations. If vomiting occurs within two hours of taking the pill, it may not have been fully absorbed; seek guidance on another dose. Seek medical attention if your next period is significantly delayed, absent, or if you experience severe abdominal pain or unusual bleeding. These symptoms could indicate an ectopic pregnancy, a serious condition where a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus.
If you have concerns about sexually transmitted infections (STIs), a healthcare provider can offer testing and counseling, as EC does not provide protection against STIs. If you frequently need emergency contraception, discuss long-term, more effective birth control options with a doctor or clinic. General reproductive health questions or anxieties are valid reasons to seek professional medical advice.