What is Plan B?
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What is Plan B?
Plan B One-Step®, also known as the “morning-after pill,” is an emergency contraceptive option that can help prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. While Plan B is often used interchangeably with emergency contraception, it is its own brand of the morning-after pill.
Plan B is widely available over the counter at major retail chains like Target and Walmart and pharmacies like CVS, Walgreens, RiteAid etc. But Plan B isn’t the only morning-after pill option. Other brands like Julie, My Way, Aftera, and My Choice use the same medication as Plan B—1.5mg of levonorgestrel. Levonorgestrel is a hormone that works to help prevent pregnancy by delaying ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary). Plan B is most effective when taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex and up to 89% effective when taken within 72 hours (3 days). You can still take Plan B up to 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex but its effectiveness may decrease.
Is Plan B right for you? Read on to learn more about how the pill works, its effectiveness, and some considerations to keep in mind when taking Plan B.
Is Plan B the only form of emergency contraception?
While Plan B and other brands of the morning-after pill (like Julie and My Way) are the most commonly known emergency contraception options, they aren’t the only option. Other forms include:
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Ella® (ulipristal acetate): Similar to Plan B, Ella is a pill that can be taken up to 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy. Ella is more effective than the morning-after pill for people with a BMI (body mass index) between 25 and 30, but its efficacy decreases for BMIs above 30. Unlike Plan B and other OTC pills, Ella is only available by prescription.
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Copper IUD: The copper intrauterine device (Paragrad) is a small, T-shaped device coated in copper that’s inserted into your cervix and uterus by a trained healthcare provider. The copper IUD is the most effective form of emergency contraceptive available. It’s more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy if inserted up to five days after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure—and it works just as well on day five as on day one. Weight does not impact its effectiveness and, once inserted, it will protect you from pregnancy for up to 10 years! However, unlike the morning-after pill, the IUD requires an appointment and insertion procedure.
Is Plan B the same as the abortion pill?
Many people confuse Plan B and the abortion pill, but these are very different medications. Plan B is not the abortion pill and will not terminate or harm an existing pregnancy.
Plan B works by preventing or delaying ovulation, which is when an egg is released from the ovary. If an egg isn’t released, it can’t be fertilized by sperm and later develop into a pregnancy.
The “abortion pill,” on the other hand, is a medication used to end an early pregnancy and has recently been used to refer to the medication mifepristone. However, medication abortion generally requires a combination of two drugs, mifepristone and misoprostol. Both are prescribed by a healthcare professional.
As the name implies, Plan B is a backup option to prevent unintended pregnancies and shouldn’t be used as a regular form of birth control. The reason is that it’s just not as reliable as other birth control methods. It also won’t protect you from sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) like herpes or HIV.
How does it work?
When taken as instructed, Plan B temporarily delays or stops ovulation (the release of an egg from an ovary). If there’s no egg to meet up with sperm, then there’s no potential for fertilization or pregnancy.
Plan B can also prevent fertilization by causing changes in the cervical mucus, making it difficult for sperm to reach the egg.
How effective is it?
Plan B’s effectiveness can vary depending on several factors. It’s 89% effective when taken within 72 hours (3 days) of unprotected sex, even though it can still provide a level of protection for up to 120 hours (5 days). Aside from time, some additional factors can also impact the effectiveness of Plan B, including BMI.
BMI
Evidence suggests that Plan B may be less effective for people who have a body mass index (BMI) over 25. However, that doesn’t mean that it is not effective. If someone has a BMI over 25 and Plan B is the only emergency contraception option available, it is still better than nothing. Read more about BMI and the morning-after pill here.
What your best options are depending on BMI
If BMI is a concern, consider using Ella or an IUD (intrauterine device).
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Ella®: more effective for women with a BMI up to 30. Effectiveness may decrease for a BMI over 30.
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IUD: the most effective emergency contraception option regardless of BMI. There are two main types that can be used as emergency contraception: copper and high-dose hormonal (levonorgestrel). They work with the same efficacy on day five as on day one.
Need help choosing the right emergency contraceptive option for you? Check out this article or talk to a healthcare professional.
When should you take the morning-after pill?
The morning-after pill should be taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex. Plan B is FDA-approved for use up to 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex, though some efficacy has been shown through 120 hours (5 days). Ella® is FDA-approved for use within 120 hours (5 days) of unprotected sex. The sooner you take either of these pills, the more effective they’ll be.
You can take the morning-after pill if:
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No form of birth control was used during intercourse
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You missed 2 or more active birth control pills in a row
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Your partner did not pull out in time
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You had unprotected sex
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A condom broke or came off during intercourse
If you’re unsure if you had unprotected sex, you can still take the morning-after pill.
Medication Interactions
Certain medications and supplements can interact with Plan B and potentially reduce its effectiveness. Some medications that may interfere with Plan B include:
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Rifampin
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Griseofulvin
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St. John's Wort
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Certain anti-seizure medications
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Certain HIV medications
If you’re taking any of these medications or are unsure how Plan B will react with your medication, talk to your healthcare provider.
Side Effects
Like any medication, Plan B can come with some side effects. Commonly reported side effects include:
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Nausea
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Vomiting
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Headache
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Lower abdominal cramps
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Dizziness
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Breast tenderness
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Delayed or late period
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Bleeding between periods or spotting
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Heavy bleeding
These side effects are usually temporary and subside on their own. If you experience severe or persistent symptoms, seek medical attention. Read more about potential side effects and how to manage them here.
If you vomit within 2 hours of taking the pill, call your healthcare provider to see if you should take another dose.
Is Plan B safe?
Levonorgestrel, the synthetic hormone in Plan B, Julie, and all other over-the-counter (OTC) morning-after pills, is considered safe for most individuals.
It’s been extensively studied and approved by the FDA for OTC use. However, no medication, even a commonly used one, is completely without risk. Consult a healthcare professional before using Plan B if you have any concerns or specific health conditions.
How long does it stay in your system?
Plan B works for up to 120 hours (5 days) after it is taken. After that time period, it is essentially out of your system. Sperm can survive in your reproductive system for up to five days, so that’s why it’s essential to take the pill as soon as you can after sex.
Remember, Plan B should not be used before unprotected sex. It also shouldn’t be used to cover multiple instances of unprotected sex. If you take Plan B and have unprotected sex again, you’ll need to take another dose of the morning-after pill.
Where to buy emergency contraception?
Plan B and other emergency contraception options are available for purchase at various locations, including:
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National Retail Stores like Walmart, Target, and grocery stores with a pharmacy. Online providers, like Amazon, also offer them with expedited shipping options depending on location.
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Pharmacies: Many pharmacies, like CVS, Walgreens, and Rite-Aid, carry emergency contraception pills online and in-store.
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Family planning clinics: Planned Parenthood and other family planning clinics often provide emergency contraception services.
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Healthcare providers: Your primary healthcare provider or gynecologist can prescribe and provide guidance on emergency contraception options.
Is Plan B over the counter?
Yes, all levonorgestrel morning-after pills, like Plan B, Julie, and Aftera, are available over the counter without a prescription. They’re FDA-approved and legal in all 50 states.
No prescription, ID, or parental consent is required. And since 2013, there’s no age requirement to buy the morning-after pill.
How much do Plan B and other morning-after pills cost?
Even though all OTC morning-after pills contain the same amount of levonorgestrel, the cost of morning-after pills can vary depending on the brand. Plan B One-Step can cost anywhere between $40-50. Julie can cost between $40 -$47 for a single-pill pack and $70 for a double-pill pack (if you want to keep a morning-after pill on hand for later). Other OTC morning-after pills can range from $10 - $50.
Some healthcare clinics offer morning-after pills for a low cost or for free. Some insurance plans can also cover the cost or partially reimburse it.
Check with your insurance provider, local store, or pharmacy for specific pricing information and potential coverage options.
