Do day after pills always work?

Have you ever had a condom rip or forgotten to take your birth control pills and found yourself scrambling for the nearest pharmacy to grab some Plan B? Or maybe a friend has asked you for advice on whether or not they should take it after an unexpected night of passion. Whatever your scenario may be, there’s no denying that Emergency Contraception can be a lifesaver in certain situations. But does it always work? Let’s break down the facts and see what kind of miracles this little pill can really perform.

What is Plan B?

For those unfamiliar, Plan B (also known as the Morning After Pill) is a form of emergency contraception that can help prevent pregnancy when taken within 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. It contains levonorgestrel, which is a synthetic version of the hormone progesterone found in many types of birth control pills.

How Does it Work?

Plan B works by delaying ovulation – meaning that if an egg hasn’t been released yet, taking the pill can stop that from happening and prevent fertilization all together. It may also thicken cervical mucus to make it more difficult for sperm to reach any eggs if there are any already present in your reproductive system.

But here’s where things get tricky: Plan B doesn’t work if ovulation has already occurred. So while we might like to think that our bodies run like clockwork, sometimes Mother Nature throws us curveballs- causing ovulation outside our normal cycle window or leaving us with multiple eggs at once (hello twins!). Additionally, users should consider factors such as their weight/body mass index because studies have shown possible changes in effectiveness for those who weigh over 165 pounds (74 kg).

Can You Take Plan B While Pregnant?

The answer here is simple: No! Once fertilization occurs – the sperm meets the egg – Plan B will not work. It’s essential to understand that emergency contraception is designed to prevent pregnancy before it happens, and therefore almost always ineffective after fertilization takes place.

How Effective is Plan B?

Let’s start with some good news: Plan B can be up to 89% effective at preventing pregnancy when taken within 72 hours of sex. However, this doesn’t mean that it will be effective for every person in every situation (we’re not living in a movie). For example, if used on day four (four days since intercourse), the effectiveness rate can drop as low as 25%.

There are also other factors to consider such as how soon you took the pill; whether your BMI/weight classifies you above a certain point or under medication prescriptions like St. John’s Wort that could weaken its efficacy altogether.

Furthermore, keep in mind the importance of properly taking all doses required! One missed or incorrectly-timed dose may significantly lower effectiveness rates upwards by over fifty percent!

So When Should You Take Plan B?

The answer honestly depends on numerous circumstances hence considering many factors critical here one should take extreme precautionary measures beforehand because prevention is better than cure.. Despite being called “the morning-after-pill”, taking EC early might provide more peace-of-mind and support improved efficiency rates.

So generally speaking- know yourself first and foremost! Are there any foreseeable vulnerabilities/disruptions during peak fertility times? Another quick but vital factor considers looking out for, say last-minute preparations when traveling overseas while still seeking bangin’ sexual escapades (wink).

It’s suggested using emergency contraceptives immediately or swiftly thereafter like an ace during moments where we know our current birth control has failed– only then does PLAN-B come into play.

What Happens After Taking Plan B?

For those who choose this contraceptive option expect possible side effects ranging from nausea to sore breasts. Note some of its consequences may mimic the usual symptoms encountered during menstrual cycles, so be mindful before taking on this pill. Despite possible side effects Women’s Health suggest continuing any present birth control methods could improve efficacy rates and certainly avoided unprotected sex in the future.

When Should You See Your Doctor?

In a few circumstances after use one should consider visiting their primary doctor post-Plan B administration – if you’ve experienced fainting/dizziness or severe abdominal pain it’s better to get yourself checked out down there!

Conclusion

At the end of the day, emergency contraception can be an essential tool for anyone who has found themselves in a situation where protection failed or non-existent planning caused uncertainty with sexual encounters.

To give you context different emergent methods are available now; Ulipristal acetate (ella) is slightly more effective than Levonorgestrel Plan B method highlighting contraceptive advancements isn’t going unnoticed.

However, it’s not without its limitations hence always be aware of various factors such as body mass index/weight (as studies suggest), when ovulation took place before medication consumption – because even though efficacious up to 89% until fertilization happens that baby train might have already left! So play safe and think ahead about suitable protective measures thoroughly reviewed with professionals trained specific to seeking accurate advice concerning medication choice based on individual preference/pay grade.

Do you have any questions or queries about Emergency Contraception? Seek reliable counsel from your family physician/gynecologist they know best!

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