Are you nervous because you had unprotected sex? You may even be concerned about an unplanned pregnancy and thinking about the Morning-After Pill.

What Do You Know About Plan B?

Plan B One-Step®, Option 2®, and My Way® are also known as the “Morning-After Pill.” It is a form of emergency birth control designed to prevent pregnancy. It’s intended for backup contraception only, not as a primary method of birth control.

It should be taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy. Plan B is NOT the same as the abortion pill.

How Does the morning-after pill Work?

The morning-after pill will not end a pregnancy after conception has occurred, that is, after the egg has already been fertilized. It works primarily by delaying or preventing an egg from being released (ovulation) in the middle of your cycle.

Are There Side Effects Of the morning-after pill?

The Mayo Clinic lists the possible side effects as:

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
  • Headache
  • Breast tenderness
  • Bleeding between periods or heavier menstrual bleeding
  • Lower abdominal pain or cramps

Plan B does not work if an egg has already been released in this cycle, and it offers no protection against STIs.

What If I’m Pregnant?

Plan B is not the same medication that is in the abortion pill. If you took Plan B but now suspect you are pregnant, make an appointment for a no-cost medical-quality pregnancy test so that you can explore your options.