The Morning After Pill

Even though the morning after pill is readily available, it is wise to educate yourself on the facts before acting. You have the legal right to be fully informed about what effects these pills have on your body and your overall health. Facing a pregnancy is difficult, but information is powerful and you are already in the right place by reading about this topic.

What Is the Morning After Pill?

The morning after pill, also known as the Plan B One Step, has only been available to the public for about 10 years. This pill is intended to prevent pregnancy after known or suspected contraceptive failure or any kind of unprotected sex and is to be used within 72 hours.

How Does the Morning After Pill Work?

Plan B contains a very large dose of a hormone, Levonorgestrel, which is a progestin found in some Birth Control pills but is 10 times stronger (Levora:0.15mg, Plan B Once Step: 1.5mg). It can prevent or postpone the eruption of an egg. Plan B will not end a pregnancy once the pre-embryo is implanted in the uterus.

Another form, Ella, can be used within 5 days but is only available through prescription. Ella is a chemical cousin to the abortion pill Mifeprex and works in the same way as Plan B.

Both of these methods can cause a pre-embryo to die by disrupting the attachment to the womb causing an early abortion.

Morning After Pill Side Effects

The physical side effects may include a period that is lighter, heavier, early, or late, nausea, lower abdominal cramps, tiredness, headache, dizziness, breast tenderness and vomiting.

These pills may not be successful in properly terminating or preventing the pregnancy, requiring further medical attention.

If you experience severe abdominal pain, seek out immediate medical help as it could possibly be due to an ectopic (tubal) pregnancy. This would end the life of the baby but could also jeopardize the life of the mother.

Unplanned Pregnancy Support

The information provided on this site is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose a pregnancy or condition without consulting a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.

One of the more concerning facts about the morning after pill is that there are no long-term studies on the safety of these pills. It should not be used as regular birth control, because it’s not as effective. There are no absolute forms of pregnancy prevention other than abstinence. Plan B and Ella do not prevent the contraction of STDs/STIs.

Pregnancy decisions can seem overwhelming and scary. That is why knowing where to go for help is important! Talk to someone you can trust! The caring people at Birth Choice are available to help you through this stressful time. We want to help you make an educated decision and follow a specific plan of action that will work for you. You are not alone!