There used to be age restrictions to purchase emergency contraception, but the Food and Drug Administration struck them down in recent years. While most stores carry the emergency-contraceptive pills on shelves, some keep them behind the pharmacy counter, so be sure to check both places. You can also buy Plan B and its generic forms on Amazon. However, depending on how recently you had unprotected sex, this may not be the most efficient way to get the pill, which is more effective the sooner you take it.
More on that below. Plan B has a shelf life of up to four years. There is no limit to how often you can take Plan B or its generic forms. Also, doctors recommend against using two different emergency contraceptive pills, like Plan B and Ella, within five days of each other, as the hormones could counteract.
So, if you took Plan B because you missed a birth-control pill, either before or after having unprotected sex, you should continue taking your birth control on your normal schedule. So, if your BMI is 30 or higher — which doctors classify as obese — Shirazian says that rather than taking Plan B, she recommends that women who need an emergency contraceptive get a non-hormonal ParaGard IUD. So, if you decide to take this route, call your doctor or local family-planning clinic soon as possible.
The most common side effects include nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue, and headaches. Already a subscriber? Log in or link your magazine subscription.
Account Profile. There are other morning after pills with similar efficacy rates and side effects, none of which should be used routinely. Plan B One Step and other morning after pills contain the hormone Levonorgestrel. Other brands, like Ella and Ella One, contain the hormone ulipristal acetate.
Despite its name, the morning after pill is more effective the sooner it is taken to unprotected sex. It becomes less effective the more time elapses. Disclaimer: For medical advice or information, please speak with your gynecologist. This article was written for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Any opinions expressed in it are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of Casco Cup.
The Plan B pill is a type of emergency contraception that may prevent pregnancy within three days of unprotected sex. Other brand names that contain the same active ingredient — Levonorgestrel — are:. These brands all function in the same way, though they may vary in cost.
They typically contain 1. Other morning after pills Ella and Ella One may prevent pregnancy thanks to a different hormone: ulipristal acetate. Ella contains 30 mg ulipristal acetate and is available with a prescription. There is a third emergency contraception option that contains a combination of progestin and estrogen. These are the least effective of the three oral methods. We'll go over the subtleties between these two types of emergency contraception later.
You do not need a prescription or proof of age to purchase Levonorgestrel options at a drug store. If you don't see it, it may be behind the counter with a pharmacist. Feel free to ask them no matter your gender or age. Other clinics, such as Planned Parenthood or a local family planning clinic may carry it.
Some are even available online. With these, it's best to factor in shipping time as well. These are not the only types of emergency contraception, either. The copper IUD, also known as the Paragard, may be used as emergency birth control if inserted within five days of conception. It is also the most effective form of emergency contraception, according to a review of 35 years of study.
More specifically, the copper IUDs were That's 10 times more effective than the average emergency contraception pill. Note: A menstrual cup is not a form of birth control, meaning that it is not a diaphragm. These are exclusively reserved for period care and are not designed to prevent pregnancy or STIs. Most experts recommend inserting a copper IUD within five to seven days of unprotected sex.
Why would copper be more effective than the morning after pill? Copper ions are toxic to sperm, thus the copper IUD's high rate of efficacy in terms of emergency contraception. Remember that IUDs must be inserted by medical professionals, and thus require an appointment with a gynecologist or at a clinic like Planned Parenthood. The Copper IUD can be used as a form of non-hormonal birth control for up to 12 years. Plan B and other alternatives become less effective the longer a person waits to take it.
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