You may have landed here because you Google something along the lines of "How do morning-after pills work?" You might already be familiar with emergency contraception, but there's always more to learn, right? Whether you're seeking a quick refresher or just curious about the finer details, we've got you covered. We'll go over a few things, including a quick overview of the morning-after pill, what it does, how it stacks up against regular birth control and common misconceptions.
What is the Morning After Pill?
According to research, Morning After Pill is a type of emergency contraception (EC) that you can use after having unprotected sex or if your regular birth control method fails on you (hello, condom breakage!). We don't advise that you use it as your go-to contraception but rather as a backup plan—something to keep on hand when things don't go as planned.
There are a few types of morning-after pills on the market, but they all have the same goal: preventing pregnancy. But if you're already pregnant, don't worry—the morning-after pill won't harm your growing baby.
Types of Morning-After Pills
Morning-after pills come in two main types, each working slightly differently.
Levonorgestrel (Plan B One-Step, Morning After Pill, Take Action): This is the more popular form of the morning-after pill you've likely heard of before. It's available over the counter, so no prescription is needed to get it. You can take it up to 72 hours (or three days) after unprotected sexual intercourse, but the sooner—the better!
There's also ulipristal acetate (Ella), which is the newer form of the morning-after pill. It works a little differently than levonorgestrel-based pills, and it can be taken within five days after doing the deed. The kicker? This pill is way more effective than levonorgestrel, especially if taken on days four and five. But there's one downside to this morning-after pill: it requires a prescription from your physician, so it can be less convenient for some folks.
Both of these options are super helpful, but if you find yourself in a bind, grabbing levonorgestrel over the counter is the easier option for most people.
Over-the-Counter Availability
Speaking of convenience, let's talk about availability. Levonorgestrel-based pills, such as Plan B, are readily available at pharmacies and grocery stores without a prescription. You can typically find these pills near the condoms (very convenient if you need to stock up on those) or by the vaginal care products. If you can't find them, don't be ashamed to ask for help. They should be able to get it to you without any judgment (but if they do, don't pay it any mind).
Or, if you want to be a bit more discreet, you can order these emergency contraceptive pills online as well.
With Ella, you'll need to contact your doctor or consult a telehealth service to receive a prescription. Going this route might take a bit more preparation beforehand, but given its added effectiveness, it can be worth it. This is especially true if it's been a few days since you've had your "uh oh" moment in the bedroom.
How Does the Morning After Pill Work?
What does the morning-after pill do? Well, some really cool stuff. Let's dig into the science (but not too deep) to help you better understand how this emergency pill works. Basically, the morning-after pill works by preventing or delaying ovulation. In case you need a refresher, ovulation is the phase of your menstrual cycle where an egg is released from one of your ovaries. By stopping ovulation, the wandering sperm has nothing to fertilize—which is what you're aiming for.
The pill won't affect implantation—when a fertilized egg or zygote attaches to the lining of the uterus—so if you have already ovulated and an egg has been fertilized, it won't end a pregnancy. It's purely about preventing things from getting started in the first place.
How it Prevents Pregnancy
To get a bit more specific, both levonorgestrel- and ulipristal acetate-based pills work by changing your hormone levels to delay ovulation. With no egg, no baby is getting made.
Levonorgestrel mimics the hormone progesterone, tricking your body into thinking ovulation has already happened. Meanwhile, ulipristal acetate actually blocks the progesterone from doing its job, which can delay ovulation even if your body is prepping to release an egg. Think of it as putting the brakes on the entire process.
What the Morning After Pill Does to Your Hormones
So, what's going on with your hormones when you pop one of these EC pills? Well, regardless of which pill you take, you're temporarily throwing off the delicate hormonal balance that controls your menstrual cycle. By increasing or blocking progesterone, you're either delaying or stopping ovulation.
What's important to remember is that these bodily changes are short-term. Everything returns to normal pretty quickly after you've taken the pill. Now, you might notice some changes in your period, as it might start earlier or later than usual, but things should go back to what you're used to within the next cycle or two.
Using the Morning After Pill Correctly
Don't worry—it's not rocket science. However, it is very important to use the morning-after pill as directed if you want it to be effective.
When to Use
In a perfect world, you want to take the morning-after pill after unprotected sex or if your other contraceptive has failed. The sooner you take it, the better it works—especially with levonorgestrel, as it loses effectiveness the longer you wait. Ulipristal acetate, on the other hand, stays highly effective for up to five days.
How to Take
This is the simple part: just swallow the pill with some water. You don't have to take it with food, but if your stomach feels funny, you might want to eat something beforehand.
While we're discussing nausea, it's quite a rare side effect, but it can happen. If you puke within two hours of taking the morning-after pill, you'll need to take another one, as your body likely didn't absorb that first one.
Side Effects
While most women can tolerate the pill just fine, like any meds you take, there can be side effects.
The most common side effects of emergency contraceptive pills include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Light bleeding or spotting
- Tiredness
- Painful cramps
- Breast tenderness
- Headache and dizziness
- Changes to your typical menstrual cycles (your period might be earlier or later than normal)
These side effects are typically mild for most people. However, if your symptoms seem really bad, contact your doctor ASAP.
The Morning After Pill vs. Regular Birth Control
Keep in mind that the morning-after pill is not the same as regular birth control. The day-after pill is designed for one-time use and isn't as effective at preventing pregnancy as other methods, such as the pill, intrauterine devices (IUDs), or implants.
So, how does regular birth control work? Well, this form of contraception works to consistently keep your hormone levels in check, preventing ovulation or making it harder for sperm to reach an egg.
Now, the morning-after pill, on the other hand, is just a one-time, high-dose hormone drug that messes with your menstrual cycle for a short period. Because of this, we wouldn't recommend relying on it regularly, as it's less effective and may cause more side effects, as a dose of levonorgestrel morning-after pills is 15 times the dose of levonorgestrel in regular birth control pills.
Choosing the Right Method: Discussing Factors to Consider When Choosing a Contraceptive Method
When it comes to choosing the right contraceptive, it's all about what fits into your lifestyle. Do you want something you won't have to think about, like an IUD? Or are you okay with something that requires a daily routine, such as the pill? Maybe barrier methods, like condoms, are more your style because they also protect against those pesky STIs.
When considering the day-after pill, it's best to keep it on hand for emergencies but not as your primary form of birth control. Think of it as the guest celebrity appearance on Saturday Night Live (SNL), but not a regular castmate.
Myths and Misconceptions
There's tons of misinformation floating around the morning-after pill, so let's clear a few things up for you:
- Myth: The morning-after pill causes abortion.
- Fact: Not at all! This emergency contraceptive works before fertilization. If you're already pregnant, it won't end the pregnancy.
- Myth: It is 100% effective.
- Fact: We're sorry to be the bearer of bad news. Taking the morning-after pill doesn't guarantee you won't get pregnant. This emergency contraceptive pill reduces the risk of pregnancy by about 75% to 89% when taken within 72 hours. Ulipristal acetate (Ella) is a bit more effective for patients, but there's still the chance of pregnancy.
- Myth: You can't take it more than once.
- Fact: You absolutely can take the morning-after pill more than once if necessary. However, it's not recommended as a regular birth control method.
- Myth: You must be 18 or older to buy the morning-after pill.
- Fact: In the U.S., levonorgestrel-based pills like Plan B are available over the counter to people of any age. No ID is required for purchase.
- Myth: The morning-after pill works even after implantation.
- Fact: The morning-after pill becomes ineffective if the fertilized egg has already implanted in your uterus. Its role is strictly to prevent or delay ovulation.
- Myth: Taking the morning-after pill will mess up your cycle.
- Fact: While it might cause some temporary changes to your next period (earlier, later, heavier, or lighter), it won't cause any permanent disruptions to your menstrual cycle.
The Morning After Pill and Abortion
The morning-after pill is completely different from an abortion pill. The abortion pill (which typically involves mifepristone and misoprostol) is used to terminate an established pregnancy. The morning-after pill is used to prevent pregnancy from happening in the first place. These medications work in completely different ways.
Seeking Professional Advice
While we've covered a ton of info about the good ol' morning-after pill, we're not a replacement for your healthcare provider. If you have questions or concerns about this emergency contraceptive, please don't hesitate to schedule an appointment to see your healthcare provider. They can help guide you toward the best options for your body and lifestyle. While the morning-after pill is pretty safe and effective, your provider can give you more personalized advice based on your medical history.
