NDSU Student Health Service
Choices Program

Your Reproductive Health - Emergency Contraception (Plan B)

 

Emergency Contraception
(Plan B)

Emergency contraception can prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse. It is also called "morning after" contraception.

Emergency contraception is available from health care providers. It is provided in two ways:

• emergency contraception pills (ECPs)
• insertion of an IUD (not available at the NDSU Student Health Service)

  You may want emergency contraception if

  • His condom broke or slipped and he ejaculated inside your vagina
  • You forgot to take your birth control pills
  • Your diaphragm or cervical cap slipped out of place and he ejaculated inside your vagina
  • You miscalculated your "safe" days
  • He didn't pull out in time
  • You were not using any birth control
  • He forced you to have unprotected vaginal sex

Important! ECPs DO NOT protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections. You may want to consider testing for sexually transmitted infections if there is a possibility that unprotected sex put you at risk.

How does Plan B work?

Plan B may prevent pregnancy by:

• Stopping the release of an egg from the ovaries.
• Preventing fertilization.
• Preventing a fertilized egg from attaching to the uterus.
  
• No guarantees can be made regarding the effectiveness of Plan B in preventing pregnancy.
• ECPs are taken in two doses, 12 hours apart. The sooner you begin taking them, the more effective they are at decreasing the risk of pregnancy. They work best when the first dose is taken within 72 hours - during this time they can reduce the risk of pregnancy by 75 to 89 percent. Timing is important. ECPs work best taken as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse. The closer you are to ovulation at the time of unprotected intercourse, the greater your chances of pregnancy.
• If you vomit within one hour of taking the pill, you should call the NDSU Student Health Service or your medical provider to find out if you need to take another pill.
• You should avoid sexual intercourse until you get your next period.

After you take the pills

• Your next period may be earlier or later than usual.
• Your flow may be heavier, lighter, more spotty, or the same as usual.
• If you see another health car provider before you get your period, remember to tell them that you have taken emergency contraception pills.
• Schedule a follow-up visit with your health care provider if you don't have your period in three weeks or if you have symptoms of pregnancy.
• Be sure to use another method of contraception if you have intercourse any time before you get your period again.
• Continue using the birth control method of your choice for as long as you want to avoid pregnancy.

Risks and side effects

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headaches
• Breast tenderness
• Dizziness
• Fluid retention
• Menstrual changes with heavier or lighter bleeding

Side effects associated with the use of ECPs usually taper off one or two days after the second dose has been taken. Frequent use of ECPs may cause periods to become irregular and unpredictable. The side effects of anti-nausea medication may include drowsiness. Please follow the precautions on the package insert.

Who should not use Plan B?

Women who have or have had the following conditions should not use Plan B:

• An already established pregnancy
• Blood clots or inflammation of veins in the legs
• Blood clots in the lungs
• Unexplained vaginal bleeding
• Cancer of the breast or reproductive organs
• Serious liver disease
• Stroke or heart disease
• Neurologic migraines