If you’ve recently had unprotected sex or the condom broke, you might be feeling anxious about the possibility of pregnancy.

What is Emergency Contraception? 

Emergency contraception is any type of birth control used after unprotected intercourse or a known or suspected contraceptive failure (e.g. a broken condom) to attempt to prevent pregnancy.

Commonly sold as the Morning-After Pill, Plan B One-Step, and ella®, these emergency contraceptives may reduce the chance of pregnancy. These medications are reported to work in several possible ways: 

• Delaying ovulation, blocking sperm from joining with an egg
• Preventing a fertilized egg from implanting – some may consider this a very early abortion.[1][2][3][4]

It’s important to know that emergency contraception does not prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).[5]

How Effective is the Morning-After Pill?

Not as effective as was originally advertised. It is intended for use within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse.[6][7] Studies done since it was released over the counter, say that “it is more effective than nothing.”[8]

Should I Take the Morning-After Pill?

You can only become pregnant on certain days of the month — around the time that you ovulate. Taking the morning-after pill during a time when you cannot become pregnant needlessly exposes you to a large dose of hormones and costs you money.

If you are already pregnant from an earlier sexual encounter, taking the morning-after pill is of no value and may cause unpleasant side effects.[9]

To find out if you are pregnant, contact us. We can give you information and schedule a free pregnancy test appointment.

Can Emergency Contraception Cause Abortion?

Taking Plan B One-Step® after fertilization has taken place may prevent the newly formed embryo from settling into the uterus and continuing to grow, which some consider a form of early abortion.[10][11][12]

What are the Side Effects of the Morning After Pill?

Like any medication, risks and side effects are not the same for everyone who takes the morning-after pill. Plan B One-Step® can cause nausea, abdominal pain, fatigue, headache, heavier menstrual bleeding, and dizziness.[13]

Get the Facts on Emergency Contraception at Family Life Pregnancy Center

Your body and health are important, so take time to make the best decision. Please contact us to ask your questions and have a confidential discussion about your options if you are pregnant.

NOTE: We offer accurate information about all your pregnancy options; however, we do not offer or refer for abortion services or emergency contraception. The information presented on this website is intended for general education purposes only and should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional and/or medical advice.

Sources

1. Physicians Desk Reference. (2020). Plan B One-Step (levonorgestrel) dose, indications, adverse effects, interactions… from PDR.net. Retrieved from https://www.pdr.net/drug-summary/Plan-B-One-Step-levonorgestrel-573
2. Food & Drug Administration. (2010). Ella full prescribing information. 12.1 Mechanism of Action. Accessed on February 5, 2020 from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2010/022474s000lbl.pdf
3. Larimore, W. L. (2000). The abortifacient effect of the birth control pill and the principle of the ‘double effect. Ethics & Medicine, 16(1), 23-30.
4. WEBSTER v. REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES,” The Oyez Project at IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law, accessed June 21, 2014, http://www.oyez.org/cases/1980-1989/1988/1988_88_605/
5. CDC. (2024, November 19). Emergency Contraception. https://www.cdc.gov/contraception/hcp/usspr/emergency-contraception.html 
6. Foundation Consumer Healthcare. (2019). Plan B FAQs: What is Plan B? Retrieved February 12, 2020, from https://www.planbonestep.com/faqs/ 
7. Physicians Desk Reference. (2020). Plan B One-Step (levonorgestrel) Dosage and Indications from PDR.net. Retrieved from https://www.pdr.net/drug-summary/Plan-B-One-Step-levonorgestrel-573#5
8. Trussell, J., Raymond, E., Cleland, K. (2019, January). Emergency contraception: A last chance to prevent unintended pregnancy. Retrieved from http://ec.princeton.edu/questions/ec-review.pdf
9. Foundation Consumer Healthcare. (2019). Plan B Onestep Side Effects. Retrieved February 12, 2020, from https://www.planbonestep.com/faqs/
10. Physicians Desk Reference. (2020). Plan B One-Step (levonorgestrel) Mechanism of Action from PDR.net. Retrieved from https://www.pdr.net/drug-summary/Plan-B-One-Step-levonorgestrel-573#14
11. Larimore, W. L. (2000). The abortifacient effect of the birth control pill and the principle of the ‘double effect.’ Ethics & Medicine, 16(1), 23-30.
12.  WEBSTER v. REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES,” The Oyez Project at IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law, accessed June 21, 2014, http://www.oyez.org/cases/1980-1989/1988/1988_88_605/.
13. Foundation Consumer Healthcare. (2019). Plan B Onestep Side Effects. Retrieved February 12, 2020, from https://www.planbonestep.com/how-plan-b-works/