It’s actually very simple: No morning-after pill works during ovulation because it’s designed to slow it down.
If ovulation is already occurring, Plan B (or any other emergency contraceptive pill) would have failed before it even started. But knowing if you are ovulating can be difficult.
If there may be a risk that Plan B will fail, the copper intrauterine device (IUD) is your best option. Not only is it a highly effective emergency contraceptive, but it can also be used for long-term contraception.
The best way to prevent pregnancy throughout your cycle is to use a long-acting form of contraception.
There are several methods to choose from, including:
Barrier methods, such as condoms, are also an option. Although these methods are less effective than the above. Of course, you will have to use it before you have sex.
If you have sex without adequate contraception during ovulation, the copper IUD (ParaGard) is the
You will need to have it inserted within 5 days after sex or ovulation to make it work.
Once inside, the buyer makes it difficult for sperm to reach the egg, which reduces the chance of pregnancy by more than 99 percent.
In addition, you can use it as a regular contraceptive for up to 10 years.
Taking a morning-after pill during ovulation will not harm your body. But you can still get pregnant.
This is because pills, like Plan B, can * delay * ovulation to prevent pregnancy. But if you are already ovulating, an egg has already been released.
And sperm – which can live in your body for up to 6 days – are more likely to reach it.
In reality,
If you are not sure where you are in your cycle and the morning-after pill is your only option, it may be worth taking it.
You may not have ovulated yet, and this can make a difference.
Worth mentioning: Some morning-after pills are less effective for people who weigh more than 155 pounds, so keep this in mind when deciding which emergency contraception option is best for you.
If you can, contact a doctor or other health care professional for help. Your local clinic or Planned Parenthood may be able to advise and provide you with the pill.
This is a difficult one. There are some physical signs to look out for.
For example, more or clearer vaginal discharge may be a sign that you are ovulating. You may also experience soft breasts and bloating.
Hormone levels also rise during this time – you can measure this with a kit on which you urinate. Some people even use fertility or menstrual tracking applications to help them predict ovulation.
But even those who think they have a pretty good idea can be wrong.
Although ovulation tends to occur between 10 and 16 days before your period, the exact day can change from month to month.
In addition, it can be affected by diet and stress.
Plan B manufacturers say the morning-after pill can prevent fertilization if ovulation has already occurred.
But studies have disputed this, suggesting that the levonorgestrel pill has
So what options do you have to prevent an unwanted pregnancy post-ovulation?
Again, the copper IUD is your best option. It is still effective after ovulation, with the ability to prevent a fertilized egg from implanting.
It can be an expensive option, depending on your insurance, and it requires an appointment with a health care professional.
But your local clinic or Planned Parenthood might also help. If you are in the United States and are not sure where to start, check out our state-by-state guide on accessing free or low-cost birth control and emergency contraception.
It all depends on when your period should be.
If you are consistently monitoring your menstrual cycle and know exactly when your period should begin, only take a test if it is at least a week late.
Unfortunately, periods are not always the most predictable things. So, if you are not sure when it is payable, you may have to wait a little longer.
This is because pregnancy tests work by detecting levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), a hormone that does not appear immediately.
Plan B or another emergency contraceptive pill taken? Wait 3 weeks to see if your period arrives before taking a pregnancy test.
If you have not taken a morning-after pill, take a test 2 weeks after sex. You can always take another test a few weeks after the first one to check the result.
If your test comes back positive and you want to terminate the pregnancy, there are options.
The best first step is to make an appointment with a doctor or other health care professional. They will confirm your pregnancy and tell you about the available abortion procedures.
Generally, it falls into medical and surgical options. But they differ depending on where you live and how long you are pregnant.
A medical abortion involves taking two pills: mifepristone and misoprostol. Sometimes the first pill is taken in the clinic and the second at home. You can usually take the abortion pill up to 11 weeks after the first day of your last menstrual period. However, the success rate drops slightly after 7 weeks.
This option may not be suitable if you have an IUD or if you have an ectopic pregnancy.
Surgical abortions are often used later in a pregnancy – in some cases more than 16 weeks after your last period.
There are two types of surgical abortion: a suction abortion, or vacuum aspiration, empties the uterus through suction, while a dilation and evacuation (D&E) uses a combination of suction and instruments.
If you are in the United States and are not sure how or where to access an abortion near you, our state-by-state guide can help.
Any time you feel unsure, contact a doctor or other healthcare professional.
It could be after you had sex without a hindrance and needed advice on emergency contraception, or it could be after you got a positive result from a pregnancy test.
You can even talk to a doctor about contraceptives in general. They will be able to advise you on safe, long-term options.
It can be difficult to know when you are ovulating. Therefore, it can be difficult to know if Plan B or another emergency contraceptive pill will work.
To avoid the need for emergency contraception in the first place, you can talk to a doctor about long-term birth control methods, such as the pill or implant.
And if you took Plan B but are not sure if it worked, take a pregnancy test 3 weeks later to be on the safe side.
Lauren Sharkey is a British journalist and author specializing in women’s issues. When she is not trying to figure out a way to ward off migraines, she can be found to uncover the answers to your lurking health questions. She has also written a book on young female activists around the world and is currently building a community of such resistors. Catch her Twitter.
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