1. How long after having sex will emergency contraception still work?
It depends. Plan B One-Step and generic levonorgestrel work best if one takes them within 3 days after sex, but they may work up to 5 days after sex. Ella and the IUD can work up to 5 days after sex. However, those are only averages. What really matters is where the individual is in her cycle. If you have sex when you’re fertile, waiting several days to take emergency contraception could be too late. That is why experts say one should use it as soon as possible after having sex.
2. What are the side effects? Is it safe?
Emergency contraception is safe. Most people do not have any side effects from the pills. One may have mild ones, like nausea, mild stomach pain, and headache. If you have severe nausea, a doctor may be able to give you medicine that helps. One may also have spotting, and her next period may come a few days earlier or later.
3. What if I throw up after taking the medication? Am I still protected?
Emergency contraception pills can sometimes cause vomiting. As long as the individual throws up more than two hours after she took it, she should be fine. The medicine should be in the system. If one throws up within two hours of taking it, call a doctor or pharmacist. A drug maybe needed to settle the stomach and then take a second dose of the emergency contraception.
4. What if I’m already pregnant and take emergency contraception?
If you think you are already pregnant, do not take emergency contraception. The hormones in Plan B One-Step or generic levonorgestrel won’t work at that point. You should not take Ella if you think you might be pregnant. It may not be safe.
5. Can I use emergency contraception pills more than once in a month?
One should use Ella only once in her cycle. You can use Plan B One-Step and generic levonorgestrel more than once. If one is relying on it often, she should use regular birth control instead.
6. Will emergency contraception affect my fertility in the future?
No. Taking emergency contraception does not affect one’s ability to have a baby later. If you got an IUD for emergency contraception, a doctor will need to remove it before you can get pregnant.
