How Often Can You Take Plan B / Morning After Pill?
Emergency contraception (also called Plan B or The Morning After Pill) can help prevent pregnancy after unprotected intimate encounters. But how does it really work? And is it safe to use more than once? How many times can you take it? Well, AMAZE has a video for that! In this video, we’ll answer questions like: how many times can you take EC, how frequently can you use it, does weight play a factor, and more. Need the answer faster? Here’s some quick info at a glance: Emergency contraception pills work by preventing or delaying ovulation (release of an egg). “Morning after pill” is common slang, but it isn’t accurate – you don’t have to wait until the morning after; emergency contraception should be taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex, ideally within 3 days, but some pills work up to 5 days after sex. If someone has taken an EC pill in the past, and they have unprotected sex again, they can simply take EC again, but it is not a replacement for other more common protection methods. Emergency contraception does NOT cause miscarriage or harm fertility. Anyone, regardless of age or gender, can buy Plan B in the U.S. without a prescription. If you have questions, make sure to check-in with your healthcare provider. [AMZ-188]
Youth
Emergency contraception (EC), commonly referred to as the morning-after pill, is a pill that will help to prevent pregnancy after a person has had unprotected vaginal sex or a birth control method has failed. “Morning after pill” is common slang for EC, but it isn’t accurate – you don’t have to wait until the morning after. Instead, emergency contraception should be taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex, ideally within 3 days, but some pills work up to 5 days after sex. If someone has taken an EC pill in the past, and they have unprotected sex again, they can simply take EC again – there is no medical concern about using it more than once. It is completely safe each time, but it is not as effective as other more common protection methods.
EC is only effective in preventing pregnancy and does not have an impact on ending or harming an existing pregnancy. Also, taking EC does not stop you from being able to get pregnant again, so if someone took an EC pill a month ago and has unprotected sex again, they could still get pregnant! (And they could choose to take EC again.)
If a person weighs more than 165 pounds, EC may be less effective, but it is still safe to take. Taking more pills, however, will not make it work better. EC is available for purchase at drugstores, pharmacies, or family planning clinics, and people of any age can buy it.
Although EC is effective to prevent a pregnancy, EC does not prevent sexual transmitted infections (STIs). If a person has had unprotected sex, they should visit a health center or their health care provider to be tested for STIs. Remember, it’s important to prioritize regular use of contraceptives and safe sexual practices to prevent pregnancy and protect your sexual health.
FAQs
There are a lot of myths out there about if, how and when someone can or can’t get pregnant. The truth is, once you start to go through puberty, it’s possible to get pregnant or get someone pregnant. That’s why it’s so important to know how pregnancy happens and how to prevent it if you or your partner are not ready.
The only 100-percent effective way to avoid getting an STD is to abstain from sexual touching below the waist, such as rubbing bodies without clothes, vaginal-penile sex, oral sex and anal sex. Your next best bet is to practice safer sex, such as using either a male or female (internal) condom and/or dental dam every time you have any type of sex. Once you start having sex, it’s also important to get tested regularly for STDs and to ask your partners to do the same.
Parents
Emergency contraception (EC), commonly referred to as the morning-after pill, is a pill that will help to prevent pregnancy after a person has had unprotected vaginal sex or a birth control method has failed. While “morning-after pill” is common slang for EC, it’s important to communicate to young people that one does not have to wait until the morning. Instead, emergency contraception should be taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex, ideally within 3 days, but some pills work up to 5 days after sex. EC is most effective when the pill is taken sooner after unprotected sex. EC is available for purchase at drugstores, pharmacies, or family planning clinics, and people of any age can buy it.
If someone has taken an EC pill in the past, and they have unprotected sex again, they can simply take EC again – there is no medical concern about using it more than once. It is completely safe each time, but it is not as effective as other more common protection methods. It can also get expensive over time, and the side effects may be more disruptive compared to other contraceptive options.
EC is only effective in preventing pregnancy and does not have an impact on ending or harming an existing pregnancy. Also, taking EC does not stop someone from being able to get pregnant again. If someone took an EC pill a month ago and has unprotected sex again, they could still get pregnant (and they could choose to take EC again).
If a person weighs more than 165 pounds, EC may be less effective, but it is still safe to take. Taking more pills, however, will not make it work better.
It is important for parents to understand the availability and proper use of emergency contraception. By having knowledge about EC, parents can engage in open and honest discussions with their children, by promoting responsible decision-making and an overall understanding of sexual health. If you suspect that your child may need emergency contraception, it is essential to approach the conversation with empathy, understanding, and support. As a parent, remember to encourage open communication with your child and assure them that seeking help or information about emergency contraception is an important step towards their reproductive health.
Be sure to familiarize yourself with local resources such as family planning clinics, healthcare providers, or other sexual health organizations that can provide accurate information, counseling, and access to emergency contraception. These resources can assist both you and your child in making informed decisions about their sexual health.
Remember, maintaining a sense of trust and openness with your child is key and helps them to make responsible choices about their reproductive health.
If you come across a TV show, movie or current event that discusses contraception or unintended pregnancy, it can serve as a teachable moment. You can discuss the characters’ choices, consequences, and the availability of emergency contraception as an option in such situations.
If your young person has a routine healthcare appointment, it’s an opportunity to discuss sexual health and emergency contraception. Encourage them to ask questions or address any concerns they may have with their healthcare provider.
Here are a few conversation prompts to begin the conversation:
- “I wanted to talk to you about an important topic related to your sexual health called emergency contraception. Have you heard of it before?”
- “I came across some information about emergency contraception and thought it would be helpful for us to discuss it. Can we talk about how it works and when it can be used?”
- “Sometimes, even when we’re careful, contraceptive methods can fail. That’s why it’s important to know about emergency contraception as a backup option. Would you like to learn more about it?”
- “I want to make sure you have accurate information about emergency contraception. Let’s talk about it and address any questions or concerns you may have.”
Educators
Emergency contraception (EC), commonly referred to as the morning-after pill, is a pill that will help to prevent pregnancy after a person has had unprotected vaginal sex or a birth control method has failed. While “morning-after pill” is common slang for EC, it’s important to communicate to young people that one does not have to wait until the morning. Instead, emergency contraception should be taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex, ideally within 3 days, but some pills work up to 5 days after sex. EC is most effective when the pill is taken sooner after unprotected sex. EC is available for purchase at drugstores, pharmacies, or family planning clinics, and people of any age can buy it.
If someone has taken an EC pill in the past, and they have unprotected sex again, they can simply take EC again – there is no medical concern about using it more than once. It is completely safe each time, but it is not as effective as other, more common protection methods. It can also get expensive over time, and the side effects may be more disruptive compared to other contraceptive options.
EC is only effective in preventing pregnancy and does not have an impact on ending or harming an existing pregnancy. Also, taking EC does not stop someone from being able to get pregnant again. If someone took an EC pill a month ago and has unprotected sex again, they could still get pregnant (and they could choose to take EC again).
If a person weighs more than 165 pounds, EC may be less effective, but it is still safe to take. Taking more pills, however, will not make it work better.
As an educator, you play a vital role in equipping students with accurate information about reproductive health, contraceptive options, and responsible decision-making. By incorporating discussions about emergency contraception into your curriculum or classroom environment, you can help address misinformation, dispel myths, and promote informed choices regarding emergency contraception and sexual health.
When discussing emergency contraception, it is important to create a non-judgmental environment and use age-appropriate and inclusive language. It is important to use medically-accurate or evidence-based resources provided by Advocates for Youth, AMAZE, or other reputable sexual health organizations when discussing EC with students. These resources can help ensure that the information you provide your students are accurate and up-to-date.
It is important to encourage open dialogue and create a safe space for students to ask questions, express concerns, and share their thoughts about emergency contraception. Your classroom should be a respectful environment where students feel comfortable discussing sensitive topics related to sexual health.
As an educator, you play an essential role in providing information about emergency contraception. It’s important to recognize your own boundaries and knowledge of the topic. Remember to encourage your students to seek help and guidance from a parent, trusted adult, or healthcare professionals who will be able to provide your students with direct support on emergency contraception or any other reproductive health concerns.
- From the video, what did you learn about emergency contraception?
- Where are some locations where a person can get emergency contraception?
- What is one thing that you learned from this video that surprised you?
National Sex Education Standards
Compare and contrast the advantages and disadvantages of contraceptive and disease prevention methods (e.g., abstinence, condoms, emergency contraception)
