It works in a similar way to birth control pills.

Plan B One-Step is a backup plan that helps prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or birth control failure. Plan B One-Step is not regular birth control and should not be used that way as it is not as effective. It contains levonorgestrel, the same ingredient found in many birth control pills. It should not affect or terminate an existing pregnancy. The sooner you take Plan B One-Step, the better it works. Plan B One-Step is available over the counter for consumers 17 and older.* One Pill. One Step. The sooner you take emergency contraception, the better it works. Plan B One-Step is just one pill, so you get what you need right away. And Plan B One-Step can reduce the chance of pregnancy when taken as directed up to 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex (if your regular birth control method fails, or if you've had sex without birth control). How does Plan B One-Step work ? Plan B One-Step is one pill that uses the same hormone found in many birth control pills, levonorgestrel, to help prevent pregnancy. Plan B One-Step works in a similar way to prevent pregnancy. Plan B One-Step is not the abortion pill (RU-486), and should not affect or terminate an existing pregnancy. When is it appropriate to take Plan B One-Step?

You can take Plan B One-Step after you've had unprotected sex or contraceptive failure one or more times in the last 72 hours (3 days), and you don't want to become pregnant.

Plan B One-Step can be used as a backup method for birth control if, for example:

Your regular birth control failed (your partner's condom broke or slipped) You made a mistake with your regular method (you forgot to take your birth control pills) You didn't use any birth control method When is it not appropriate to take Plan B One-Step? Plan B One-Step should not be taken:

If you're already pregnant, because it won't work If you're allergic to levonorgestrel or any of the ingredients in Plan B One-Step In place of regular birth control. Plan B One-Step should not be used as routine birth control, as it's not as effective. Plan B One-Step won't protect you from HIV infection (the virus that causes AIDS) or any other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) When should I take Plan B One-Step? You only have a few days to help prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or

contraceptive failure. Plan B One-Step works better the sooner you take it. Its only one pill, so you can get what you need right awaywithin 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure.

How effective is Plan B One-Step? Plan B One-Step works better the sooner you use it. If it is taken as directed within 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure, it can significantly decrease the chance that you will become pregnant. About seven out of every eight women who would have gotten pregnant will not become pregnant. How will I know if Plan B One-Step worked? The only way of knowing Plan B One-Step has been effective is when you get your next period, which should come at the expected time, or within a week of the expected time. If your period is more than seven days late, you may be pregnant. What if I'm already pregnant and take Plan B One-Step? There is no medical evidence that Plan B One-Step would harm a developing baby. If you take Plan B One-Step accidentally after you're already pregnant, or it doesn't work and you become pregnant, it's not likely to cause any harm to you or your pregnancy. Plan B One-Step should not terminate an existing pregnancy. Can I use Plan B One-Step for regular birth control? Plan B One-Step should not be used as regular birth control. Plan B One-Step is not as effective as using a regular birth control method correctly and consistently. It is a backup method to be used if your regular birth control fails, or if you have sex without birth control. If you have unprotected sex after taking Plan B One-Step, it cannot protect you from getting pregnant. How often can I take Plan B One-Step?

Plan B One-Step should only be taken in emergencies, but there is no medical reason why you can't take it more than once. Don't be afraid to use Plan B One-Step when you need to, but remember that it should never replace routine methods of contraception, as it simply isn't as effective. Plan B One-Step doesn't provide long-term protection against future pregnancyit only works to prevent this one incident. If you are sexually active, even occasionally, see your healthcare professional or clinic to find a method of birth control and STD prevention that suits you. Will I experience any side effects from Plan B One-Step? When taken as directed, Plan B One-Step is safe and effective, and the side effects are generally mild. Some women may experience side effects similar to those of many birth control pills, including changes in their period, a heavier or lighter next period, or a period that is early or late. If your period is more than a week late, you may be pregnant. If you have severe abdominal pain, you may have an ectopic pregnancy, and should get immediate medical attention. When taking this product you may have:

Nausea Lower abdominal pain Fatigue Headache

Dizziness Breast tenderness What warnings should I know about when using Plan B One-Step? Plan B One-Step should not be taken:

If you're already pregnant, because it won't work If you're allergic to levonorgestrel or any of the ingredients in Plan B One-Step In place of regular birth control. Plan B One-Step should not be used as routine birth control, as it's not as effective. Plan B One-Step won't protect you from HIV infection (the virus that causes AIDS) or any other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) When do I start taking my regular birth control pills after Plan B One-Step? You should resume your regular method of contraceptionor start one, if you dont have

a regular method - right away, since Plan B One-Step does not reliably protect against additional acts of unprotected sex. You do not need to use additional back-up contraception to your birth control pills after using Plan B OneStep. Morning after Pills: Plan B One-Step Plan B One-Step is a single dose emergency contraception, containing1.5 mg of levonorgestrel in just a single pill, which reduces the chances of pregnancy when taken to 3 days after unprotected sex. Mostly safe and effective, many women experience nausea, lower

abdominal pain, fatigue, headache, dizziness and breast tenderness.Changes in period are also noticed by many. Morning after Pills: Next Choice The Next Choice package states taking one pill within 72 hours of unprotected sex and the other 12 hours later. According to Princeton.edu, "recent research indicates that both doses can be taken at the same time up to 120 hours after unprotected sex. The pills are more effective the sooner they are taken, so take 2 Next Choice pills at the same time as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse." For women 17 years and older, Next Choice is available without a prescription, but for girls 16 and younger a prescription is essential. Other oral contraceptive brands that can be used as emergency contraception are Alesse and Avianecontain 0.5mg of levonorgestrel and 100 pg of ethinyl estradiol. Recommended Dosage: 5 pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and 5 more pills 12 hours later Cryselle contains 0.6 mg of levonorgestrel and 120 g of ethinyl estradiol. Recommended Dosage: 4 white pills within 120 hours after unprotected sex and 4 more white pills 12 hours later

Plan B One-Step, Next Choice One Dose, Next Choice and Levonorgestrel Tablets are available directly from the pharmacist if you are 17 or older, while ella (ulipristal acetate)is available by prescription only.

ella is more effective than progestin-only pills like Plan B One-Step and Next Choice, particularly on the 4th and 5th day after sex, when the effectiveness of progestin-only EC declines. ella is effective closer to ovulation than Plan B One-Step or Next Choice, and this is the time when women are most at risk of pregnancy and most likely to be having sex. Because ella is a new product, it may take a while for pharmacies to routinely stock it. If

you need EC, call your pharmacy to ask if they stock ella, Plan B One-Step, Next Choice One Dose, Next Choice or Levonorgestrel Tablets (click here for more tips for calling about EC). If you are 17 or older, you can buy progestin-only EC (like Plan B One-Step, Next Choice One Dose, Next Choice or Levonorgestrel Tablets) directly from the pharmacist without a prescription. If you want to use ella, call your health care provider; you will need to get you with a prescription, and s/he may know of a pharmacy that has ella in stock. You can also purchase ella from this online prescription service for $40, including next-day shipping.

Here are some things to consider when choosing an emergency contraceptive pill:

Effectiveness: ella is more effective than progestin-only EC (such as Plan B One-Step, Next Choice One Dose, Next Choice or Levonorgestrel Tablets), particularly on the 4th or 5th day after sex.

Timing since unprotected sex: Both types of EC can be used up to 120 hours after unprotected sex. However, Plan B One-Step, Next Choice One Dose, Next Choice and Levonorgestrel Tablets decline in effectiveness on days 4 and 5 after sex, while ella does not. If it has been 4 or 5 days since you had unprotected sex, try to make

an extra effort to get a prescription for ella. Use the tool on this page to help you calculate how much time you have left in the 5-day window.

The calendar: If it is a weekend or holiday, your best option may be to get Plan B OneStep, Next Choice One Dose, Next Choice or Levonorgestrel Tablets from the pharmacy, as your clinic or health care providers office may not be open to provide you with a prescription for ella. You can also use the online prescription service for ella, but note that your delivery options are limited by the FedEx schedule - FedEx does not deliver on Sunday, and may not deliver on Saturday, depending on where you live. If delivery is not an option within your 5-day timeframe, you can get the prescription service to transfer your prescription to a local pharmacy for a $35 fee.

Availability: Not all pharmacies carry EC. Call ahead to find out which brands your pharmacy has in stock (click here to find a pharmacy or clinic near you).

Cost: EC can be expensive. Plan B One-Step, Next Choice One Dose, Next Choice and Levonorgestrel Tablets can cost between $35 and $60 when you buy it OTC at the pharmacy (Next Choice and Levonorgestrel Tablets generally cost about 10% less than Plan B One-Step. However, the makers of Plan B One-Step are offering a $10 coupon). ella may cost at least $50 at the pharmacy. If you choose the online prescription option for ella, it will cost $40 including next-day shipping. If your insurance covers EC, using your insurance is probably the least expensive option for you.

http://ec.princeton.edu/questions/index.html -After Pill (Emergency Contraception)?

Emergency contraception is a safe and effective way to prevent pregnancy after unprotected intercourse.

There are two kinds of emergency contraception: a pill, commonly called the morning-after pill. The brand names of the morning-after pill are ella, Next Choice, and Plan B One-Step.

ParaGard IUD insertion Both kinds of emergency contraception can be used up to five days (120 hours) after unprotected intercourse.

You may want to use it if The condom broke or slipped off, and he ejaculated in your vagina. You forgot to take your birth control pills, insert your ring, or apply your patch. Your diaphragm or cap slipped out of place, and he ejaculated inside your vagina. You miscalculated your "safe" days. He didn't pull out in time. You weren't using any birth control. You were forced to have unprotected vaginal sex. +How Does the Morning-After Pill (Emergency Contraception) Work?

One type of emergency contraception (Plan B One-Step, Next Choice, Levonorgestrel Tablets) is made of one of the hormones made by a woman's body progestin. Another type (ella) blocks the body's own progestin.

Both types of emergency contraception work by keeping a woman's ovaries from releasing eggs ovulation. Pregnancy cannot happen if there is no egg to join with sperm.

You might have also heard that the morning-after pill causes an abortion. But that's not true. The morning-after pill is not the abortion pill. Emergency contraception is birth control, not abortion.

+How Effective Is the Morning-After Pill (Emergency Contraception)? Emergency contraception can be started up to 120 hours five days after unprotected intercourse. The sooner it is started, the better it works.

Emergency contraception is also known as the morning-after pill, emergency birth control, backup birth control, and by the brand names Plan B One-Step, ella, and Next Choice. Plan B One-Step and Next Choice reduce the risk of pregnancy by 89 percent when started within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse. They continue to reduce the risk of pregnancy up to 120 hours after unprotected intercourse, but they are less effective as time passes.

You need to use the morning-after pill to prevent pregnancy after each time you have unprotected intercourse. The morning-after pill will not prevent pregnancy for any

unprotected intercourse you may have after taking the pills. If you do not have your period within three weeks after taking emergency contraception, you may want to consider taking a pregnancy test.

The morning-after pill offers no protection against sexually transmitted diseases or infections. You may want to consider STD testing if there is a possibility that unprotected sex put you at risk.

+How Safe Is the Morning-After Pill (Emergency Contraception)? Emergency contraception is safe, and millions of women have used it. Various forms of emergency contraception have been used for more than 30 years. There have been no reports of serious complications.

Even though Plan B One-Step and Next Choice are made of one of the same hormones used in the birth control pill, the morning-after pill does not have the same risks as taking the pill or other hormonal birth control methods continuously. That's because the hormone in the morning-after pill is not in your body as long as it is with ongoing birth control.

+What Are the Disadvantages of the Morning-After Pill (Emergency Contraception)?

You may have some undesirable side effects while using the morning-after pill. But many women use Plan B One-Step, ella, and Next Choice with few or no problems.

Nausea and throwing up are the most common side effects. Less than 1 out of 4 women feel sick when they take them. You can use anti-nausea medicine one hour before taking emergency contraception if you are concerned about being nauseous. Many women also find it helpful to take the emergency contraception pills with a full stomach.

Other side effects of the morning-after pill may include breast tenderness irregular bleeding dizziness headaches If you use the morning-after pill frequently, it may cause your period to be irregular. Emergency contraception should not be used as a form of ongoing birth control because there are other forms of birth control that are a lot more effective.

+How Do I Get the Morning-After Pill (Emergency Contraception)? Plan B One-Step and Next Choice are available from drugstores and health centers without a prescription for women and men 17 and older. If you are interested in

getting emergency contraception and are 17 or older, you can either get it directly from a Planned Parenthood health center or from your local drugstore. If you are younger than 17, you'll need to go to a health center or private health care provider for a prescription. ella is not available over the counter at drugstores, but you can get it with a prescription.

We all like to be prepared. That is why it's a great idea to keep some emergency contraception in your medicine cabinet or bedside table in case of an accident. Having the morning-after pill on hand will let you take it as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse, when it is most effective. If you are younger than 17, you can ask your health care provider for a prescription that you can fill ahead of time.

Need emergency contraception?Find a health center +How Much Does the Morning-After Pill (Emergency Contraception) Cost? The cost of emergency contraception varies a great deal. It may cost anywhere from $10 to $70. If you are not 17 and need a prescription, the health center visit may cost up to $250, depending on where you live.

Family planning clinics usually charge less than private health care providers and drugstores.

Planned Parenthood works to make health care accessible and affordable. Some health centers are able to charge according to income. Most accept health insurance. If you qualify, Medicaid or other state programs may lower your health care costs.

Call your local Planned Parenthood health center to get specific information on costs.

+How Do I Use the Morning-After Pill (Emergency Contraception)? Take emergency contraception as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse. The sooner you start it, the better it will work. But it will reduce your risk of pregnancy if you start it up to 120 hours five days after unprotected intercourse.

Next Choice can be taken in one dose or two doses. If you take it in two doses, take the second pill 12 hours after the first pill. Or simply take them both at the same time. It's your choice.

You can use anti-nausea medicine one hour before taking emergency contraception if you are concerned about getting nauseated. Many women also find it helpful to take the emergency contraception pills with a full stomach.

After you take emergency contraception, it's normal for your next period to be different from usual.

It may be earlier or later than usual. It may be heavier, lighter, more spotty, or the same as usual. Be sure to tell any health care provider that you may see before your next period that you have taken the morning-after pill. If you do not have your period within three weeks after

taking emergency contraception, or if you have any symptoms of pregnancy, take a pregnancy test or schedule an appointment with your health care provider.

http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/emergency-contraception-morningafter-pill-4363.asp