How long after do you take plan b?

One of the most dreaded moments in life is realizing you may have accidentally exposed yourself to an unwanted pregnancy. Whether it was because of a broken condom, missed birth control pill or clumsy love-making, there’s always the looming fear that your actions might lead to some pretty major consequences.

Fortunately, there are ways to protect yourself even when accidents happen – one of them being Plan B. But how long after can you take it? Is it effective if taken too late? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll answer all these questions and more.

What is Plan B?

First things first- let’s get acquainted with our subject matter. Plan B refers to a type of emergency contraceptive that prevents pregnancies before they occur. It’s designed for use within 72 hours (three days) after unprotected sexual intercourse; however, as you’ll soon find out from the rest of this article, time matters!

It contains levonorgestrel – a hormone similar but not identical to progesterone which inhibits ovulation by sending signals telling eggs not fertilize sperm cells released during sexual intercourse.

In simpler words: If sperm has already fertilized an egg by the time you take plan b, then its action will be futile.

The Different Types of Emergency Contraceptives

Before we go further into answering our question on how long after do you take plan b ? It might interest us(and just me?)to know about other types emergency contraceptives available:

  • Copper T intrauterine device (IUD) which can protect against unwanted pregnancy up until 5-7 days after sex.

    (Looks like Copper T knows no name!)

  • Ella, containing ulipristal acetate ,can work up till five(5) days after having unprotected sex;

    (Just Ella!! What happened to Mr ‘Levonorgestrel’??)

  • Contraceptive pills with higher doses of levonorgestrel like Aftera, Take Action, My Way and Next Choice which should work within five days;

    (So much action going on for a majorly inactive content!)

How Soon Should One Take Plan B?

Now that we know what Plan B is and other types of emergency contraceptive options available let’s answer the big question – How long after do you take plan b?

The effectiveness of Plan B decreases significantly as time passes by. In fact, it’s most effective if taken immediately (or as soon as possible) within 72 hours after intercourse.

The drug must be consumed before egg fertilization takes place. If the sperm already makes contact with an egg and both join together to form an embryo in the uterus then retrogade amnesia might be your best bet rather than taking any forms of medication because it ain’t doing anything!

## Does The Effectiveness Of Plan B Decrease With Time?

Well… Yes! Based on studies from manufacturers themselves ,the efficacy reduces depending on how long one waits before consuming the pill

{ class=”wikitable”
Hours after sex
0-24
25-48
49-72

(It seems plan b has a shelf-life too-so hurry people!!)

## What To Do When You Miss Your Window Period

Let’s assume you missed your window period or thoughtlessly delayed trying out any alternatives earlier so that now ,[oops!]it’s passed; no need fretting yet!.

First off,might I say congrats! However not being pregnant doesn’t mean becoming totally relaxed about it – you need another line of defense that is not delayed
Some alternatives are:

  • Copper T intrauterine device (IUD)
    For females who still have some days left,the copper T helps by preventing fertilization from taking place

In other words, it makes the uterus unhabitable(rejects the pregnancy)

Caveat: Some people might likely experience more cramps/heavier bleeding but in all prioritizes prevention before punishment.

One good thing about Copper T;you can use it as your method of emergency contraception for years to come.

  • Ulilpristal Acetate
    The drug name sounds complex and Sophie Turner couldn’t even pronounce it. But guess what…It’s not!

Ulipristal acetateis another contraceptive pill similar to Plan B. However, unlike Plan B,Ella is effective upto 5days(120 hours)after sex according to The American Society For Emergency Contraception.

(When Levornorgestrel fails, Ella shows up-nothing lasts forever but hopefully our battles with confusion does!)

How Effective Is Plan B?

Plan B has a high rate of effectiveness when taken within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse. However one must be aware,effectiveness decreases over time as been established earlier but let’s break it down distinctively this time

Effectiveness Based on Days Passed

Hours since Intercourse Number Out Of Every 100 Who Get Pregnant
0-24 Fewer than one woman. This is pretty impressive! It indicates that out of every hundred women who take plan b immediately during this period ,less than 1% become pregnant.
25-48 Two women
49-72 Four women

(The numbers are scary if left unchecked ,better put human actions in gear than pray to a nonexistent god)

Age Factors

According to The American Society For Emergency Contraception, the rate of effectiveness decreases with increase in weight and age

Weight Efficacy%
>175 lbs Decreased efficacy at high body weights
< 165 lbs Ella is preferred due its higher efficacy rates
In-Between ranges-In most cases, Plan B is still recommended.

(Some biology lessons tend to come handy anyway!)

## Side Effects of Plan B

As with every medication taken some people may have minor or eventually severe after effects which can include:

  • Dizziness; feeling faint, lightheaded or unsteady;

    (Don’t worry we all get swoon occasionally)

  • Changes in next menstrual cycle Or Missed Periods (Do not confuse this with pregnancy though)

    Wait! You mean not done taking plan b then you need your menstrual? Girl bye!

  • Nausea & Vomiting

    (This symptom looks familiar ! Could it be…food poisoning maybe?)

When To Contact A Physician?

In certain situations,some people might experience:
Severe abdominal pain post consumption,
Fever that lasts for more than three days,
Foul discharge from vagina beyond two weeks,

(#MedicalEmergency!!), please seek help because these aren’t normal!

Other reasons why one would need medical attention:

  1. If you’re already pregnant. Plan B contraceptive pills will not terminate a pregnancy – they work only before fertilization occurs.

  2. Breastfeeding mothers should try best avoid the usage unless their physicians give them the green light.

(Don’t be a hero, there’s no shame in seeking help! Save that energy for being creative)

In Conclusion

In this article, we’ve answered an important question – how long after do you take Plan B? We also explored the different types of emergency contraceptives available to help prevent pregnancy. Additionally,the factors which may influence its efficacy were elucidated such as age and weight of individuals who choose to use Plan B.

Finally,before consuming plan b or any drug always consult with your medical practitioner experts because they will understand better.(after all humour is plausible,stupidity isn’t!)

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