Use Morning After Pill in the following situations to help prevent an accidental pregnancy. - You had sex and were not using birth control - You missed your regular birth control and had unprotected sex - There was some other issue with the birth
You should not use Morning After Pill: - If you are already pregnant because it will not work - For regular birth control as there are more effective methods you can use - If you have ever had an allergic reaction to levonorgestrel or any other
You should take Morning After Pill as soon as possible after unprotected sex, ideally within 12 hours, but you can take it (up to 72 hours or 3 days after. You don’t need to wait until the next morning to take Morning After Pill. Emergency contracept
No. You can take it at any time of day or night, as long as it’s within 72 hours of unprotected sex.
It can be taken without food or water. Taking it with water may make swallowing easier.
Some people may experience side effects which are usually mild and of short duration. Side effects may include the following. - Menstrual changes (irregular bleeding) - Nausea - Lower stomach (abdominal) pains - Tiredness - Headache - Dizziness -
After taking Morning After Pill, you may experience temporary changes in your menstrual bleeding (spotting, heavier or lighter flow, early or late period). This is normal and harmless, but can be annoying.
No further action is required. - If you wish to take an early pregnancy test, wait until 10 days after the day on which you had unprotected sex to do the test. You should use condoms when you have sex until your next period comes.
You’ll know it worked when your next period arrives on schedule (though it may be up to a week late). To find out sooner, you may take a pregnancy test 10 days after the unprotected sex.
You should expect your period to be on time. Your period may be delayed up to a week and still be normal. If your period is more than a week late, it is possible you might be pregnant. Get a pregnancy test and follow up with your healthcare
If your period is over one week late, you might be pregnant. Take a pregnancy test and consult your healthcare provider.
Taking the morning-after pill multiple times doesn’t change its effectiveness, and won’t cause any long-term side effects. You can use the morning-after pill whenever you need to. But it’s not a good idea to use the morning-after pill as your regular
No. Morning After Pill is not an abortion pill. If conception has already occurred, Morning After Pill will not trigger a miscarriage.
No. It will not harm an ongoing pregnancy.
Take a pregnancy test to confirm and seek appropriate medical care if needed.
No. It is intended for use *after* unprotected sex and should be taken within 72 hours. For proactive protection, use a condom or regular method instead.
Yes. It’s safe while breastfeeding and does not affect breast milk or infant growth.
Some medications you are taking may reduce the effectiveness of Morning After Pill. These medicines include: - efavirenz (an HIV medication) - rifampin (a tuberculosis medicine) - medication for seizures (epilepsy) If you are taking one of these
It may have a transient effect on other drugs. Read all medication labels and check interactions with progestin-only pills.
Visit Bedsider.org for trusted, comprehensive sexual health and contraception information.
Yes. Feeling stressed about accidental pregnancy is common. Speak with a healthcare provider or counselor for support.
After taking Morning After Pill, you may experience temporary changes in your menstrual bleeding, including a longer or shorter period. This is normal.
