Can you have sex after taking Plan B?

Key Points

• Plan B One-Step (levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive), also known as the morning-after pill, is an oral medication used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or birth control failure.
• Plan B One-Step does not offer ongoing protection, and is only meant to prevent pregnancy after a single instance of unprotected sex.
• If you are sexually active and want to prevent pregnancy, it is essential to use a reliable form of birth control consistently.

Plan B One-Step contains a progestin called levonorgestrel, and is taken within 3 days of unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy. Sometimes called the morning-after pill, Plan B One-Step does not offer ongoing protection. While you can have sex after taking Plan B One-Step, it is important to use a back-up method to prevent pregnancy from occurring.

Plan B One-Step is only meant to be taken one time after having unprotected sex. It is highly effective, but even after taking it within 72 hours after unprotected sex there is still a chance you can become pregnant. Additionally, it does not continue to prevent pregnancy as it only works in the short term. This is because having sex after taking Plan B One-Step could mean sperm outlasts the effects of the medication.

What back-up birth control methods can I use after taking Plan B One-Step?

Talk with your healthcare provider about the best form of birth control for you. Emergency contraceptives are not meant to be a regular birth control method. Some back-up birth control options may include:

• Condoms
• Diaphragm
• Spermicide
• Intrauterine device (IUD)

If you are sexually active, a long-term birth control option such as hormonal contraception might be a good option.

Related questions

• Can Plan B make your period late or cause bleeding?
• What are the signs that Plan B didn't work?
• Can you drink alcohol after taking Plan B?

How does Plan B work?

Plan B One Step contains a hormone called levonorgestrel. It works by blocking the surge of luteinizing hormone, which typically happens before ovulation occurs (when your ovary releases an egg). This delays or stops ovulation. Additionally, Plan B One-Step thickens cervical mucus, which affects how well sperm can move and reach the released eggs. These actions help prevent fertilization of an egg so that pregnancy cannot occur.

Some medications can affect how well Plan B One-Step works. Check with your healthcare provider if you are taking any other medications. If you vomit within 2 hours after taking Plan B One-Step, contact your healthcare professional to see if you need to repeat the dose.

If a fertilized egg has implanted into your womb already, Plan B One-Step will not affect the pregnancy.

This is not all the information you need to know about Plan B One-Step (levonorgestrel emergency contraceptive) for safe and effective use and does not take the place of your doctor’s directions. Review the full product information and discuss this information and any questions you have with your doctor or other health care provider.