So many women think the Morning After Pill (also known as MAP or Plan B) will make them infertile if they take it too often, or adversely affect their fertility in some way. Here, what really happens when you take the MAP, and a fact-check about its impact on fertility.
If you’ve had unprotected sex or suspect that ejaculate has entered your body, you’re allowed to get the Plan B pill without a prescription from a clinic, pharmacy or via Zoie’s MyContraceptive delivery service.
Plus, if you’ve waited longer than 24 hours to take the Pill, it doesn’t mean all is lost. The Plan B pill is effective for up to 72 hours – that’s three whole days. Of course, the efficacy is greater the sooner you take it.
How Does The Plan B Pill Work?
The Morning After Pill comes in a blister pack, with a single tablet. Inside the pill is the hormone levonorgestrel. Levonorgestrel works to halt ovulation – preventing the egg by being released. It also thickens the lining of the uterus so that any sperm that could be present has a harder time making it to any eggs that may be around.
What Are The Side-Effects Of Taking The Morning After Pill?
If your period is delayed by a week after taking the MAP, it is considered normal. Any longer than a week? Check with your doc, because there may be a risk of pregnancy.
Some other side-effects include spotting between cycles, heavier or lighter than usual bleeding, breast pain or tenderness, nausea and vomiting. If these symptoms persist for a period longer than two days, check with your doc.
Does the Morning After Pill Affect Fertility?
Because the Morning After Pill is a short-acting solution, there aren’t long-lasting effects on fertility. It’s important to note that the Plan B pill is not meant to be a daily contraceptive but rather an emergency preventative measure. That’s because the dosage of hormones in the MAP is quite high – taken once in a while, this is still a safe option. If you’d like a form of birth control that works every day, check this list.
