How many times can you take plan b before becoming infertile

Medically Reviewed By Alan Carter, Pharm.D.

— Written By Alex Prosser

Updated on April 4, 2022

Plan B and other morning-after pills are a type of emergency contraception that can lower the chances of getting pregnant after sex. Plan B works to prevent conception by temporarily stopping ovulation. Morning-after pills are most effective when taken within 3 days of sex. Plan B is a commercial brand of morning-after pill, also known as an emergency contraceptive pill (ECP).

ECPs will not protect against the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), which can cause infertility. It is thus important to have a sexual health screening after any unprotected intercourse if you are unsure of your sexual partner’s STD status, even if you are not concerned about pregnancy.

Read on to learn more about Plan B and fertility, other ECPs, and the effectiveness of ECPs.

What is Plan B?

Plan B is a brand name of one type of morning-after pill, or ECP.

Many other brands are available commercially, and they all work to prevent pregnancy in the same way.

Common products available include Plan B One Step, ella, My Way, EContra, Preventeza, AfterPill, Option 2, My Choice, and Aftera.

You may want to use an ECP if:

• you did not use birth control such as condoms when you had penile-vaginal intercourse
• there was a mistake with the birth control you used, such as forgetting to take pills
• your condom broke or came off

How does it work?

All ECPs will contain either one of two active ingredients:

• Levonorgestrel: Levonorgestrel is a synthetic version of a natural hormone called progesterone, which the ovaries produce.
• Ulipristal acetate: This is a medication that stops the normal function of the progesterone hormone.

Both products will work to stop or delay ovulation, which is the release of an egg. This can help prevent conception and pregnancy as there is no available egg for sperm to fertilize.

Most morning-after pills contain levonorgestrel. In fact, only one brand produces a ulipristal acetate morning-after pill, which is called ella or ellaOne.

The most effective type of morning-after pill is ella, or

ulipristal acetate, but its use requires a prescription from a healthcare professional.

Both types of pills are most effective when taken as soon as possible.

Can the morning-after pill make you infertile?

There is no evidence that taking a morning-after pill can make you infertile.

A 2010 collaboration of the World Health Organization (WHO) and other expert international organizations found that the use of hormonal contraception, including ECPs, has no effect on future fertility.

The WHO also suggests that levonorgestrel-only ECPs leave the body after a few days.

An updated 2021 statement from the WHO further confirms that there is no delay in the return to fertility after taking ECPs.

Will taking Plan B multiple times make you infertile?

Repeated use of ECPs such as Plan B will not affect your fertility.

In fact, according to New Zealand’s Family Planning organization, accredited by the International Planned Parenthood Federation, you may be more likely to get pregnant the week after taking an ECP if you do not use contraception.

How many times can you take it safely?

According to Planned Parenthood, taking a morning-after pill multiple times is safe and will not cause harm. This includes taking it more than once in the same menstrual cycle if required.

However, Planned Parenthood says that it is not advisable to use the morning-after pill as your regular method of contraception or birth control. This is because ECPs may be less effective at preventing pregnancy than other types of contraception and are generally more expensive and less convenient.

Side effects

Plan B and other ECPs do not cause infertility, and there are no other known serious or long-term side effects of taking an ECP. However, they can cause some mild side effects.

These may include:

• headaches
• stomach pain
• changes to your next period, including making it earlier, later, or more painful than is usual for you
• nausea and vomiting
• bleeding between periods

If you vomit within 3 hours of taking an ECP, contact a doctor to determine whether you should take another dose.

According to Planned Parenthood, an intrauterine device (IUD) is another emergency contraceptive option. Contact a doctor if you would like to explore this as an option.

When to contact a doctor

Contact your doctor if:

• your symptoms do not improve after a few days
• you suspect you are pregnant
• your next period is more than 7 days late
• your period is shorter or lighter than normal for you
• you have sudden pain in your lower stomach

In rare cases, stomach pain can indicate an ectopic pregnancy, which is when a fertilized egg has implanted outside of the womb. This may require urgent medical attention.

Effectiveness

A levonorgestrel ECP can lower the chances of getting pregnant by 75–89% if you take it within 3 days after unprotected sex.

The ECP ella can reduce the chances of getting pregnant by 85% if you take it within the following 120 hours, or roughly 5 days, after unprotected sex. It can be more effective than levonorgestrel pills no matter when you take it.

For maximum effectiveness, you should take either pill as soon as possible after unprotected penile-vaginal intercourse.

You should not take two different kinds of morning-after pills within up to 5 days of each other, as they may counteract and decrease effectiveness — or not work at all.

Factors that can affect the efficacy of ECPs include:

• Time: The more time between unprotected sex and taking an ECP, the less effective it will be.
• Menstrual cycle stage: Because ECPs prevent pregnancy by preventing ovulation, if you are already ovulating, ECPs will not work. However, because you may not know exactly when you are ovulating, it may still be best to take an ECP as soon as possible.
• Weight: Levonorgestrel pills may not work if you weigh 155 pounds or more, and ella may not work as well for those who weigh 195 lb or more.
• Access: Levonorgestrel pills are available without a prescription no matter your age. However, ella will need a prescription. Access can affect how quickly you are able to take an ECP.
• Medication: Certain medications can make ECPs less effective. These medications can include:
  • medications that make your stomach less acidic, such as omeprazole
  • certain antibiotics
  • the antifungal Griseofulvin
  • some medications used to treat epilepsy, HIV, tuberculosis, or seizures (doctors may also prescribe some antiseizure medications for psychiatric disorders)
• Supplements: Supplements such as St. John’s Wort may also interact with ECPs.

The

ulipristal acetate ECP ella is not suitable for anyone taking one of these medications or supplements. Levonorgestrel pills are still usable for those taking these medications and supplements, but it may be necessary to increase the dose.

How to get Plan B

Levonorgestrel ECPs such as Plan B do not require a prescription and are available over the counter, regardless of your age or gender, in most drugstores, superstores, and pharmacies.

For ulipristal acetate ECPs (for example, ella), a prescription is necessary.

You can request a prescription from a doctor or nurse at:

• a doctor’s office
• a local Planned Parenthood health center
• a health clinic

In some states, you may be able to get a prescription online, from the Planned Parenthood Direct app, or from a pharmacist.

Costs can range from $11 to $90 depending on the brand, ingredient, and distribution, but ECPs may be available at free or low cost from a local health center. Your insurance may also cover emergency contraception.

Planned Parenthood advises people to keep an ECP at home in case you need it in the future. This will allow you to take it as quickly as possible.

How to take a morning-after pill safely

Steps you should take to use an ECP safely and correctly include:

• telling your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about any medicines or supplements you are taking
• reading the instructions that come with the packaging
• avoiding any levonorgestrel ECP if you have used ella in the last 5 day
• taking a pregnancy test if you have not gotten your period in the 3 weeks after taking an ECP
• retaking an ECP if you have vomited within 2 hours since taking it
• checking with your doctor and following their advice on when to pause and resume your regular contraception (which can vary depending upon which method of contraception you use and which ECP you will take)
• using additional contraceptive methods such as condoms until you resume your normal contraception and for up to 9 days afterward

You may need to temporarily change your typical birth control routine to take an ECP, and doing this incorrectly could increase the risk of pregnancy. It is very important to discuss your situation with your doctor so that they can advise you on when and how to use particular contraceptive methods after taking an ECP.

It is also important to discuss your situation with a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to help you decide which option will be the most appropriate for you.

Alternative Options

Emergency contraceptives prevent pregnancy and are available in two forms: ECPs and IUDs.

Certain IUDs are suitable for treatment within 120 hours of unprotected intercourse and can be as effective on day five as on day one since sex.

IUDs are generally the most effective type of emergency contraception.

However, they may be a less convenient option for some as they require an appointment for fitting within 5 days. They can also cost up to 1300 dollars, however, they may be low cost with health insurance, Medicaid, or another local program.

Effective contraceptive methods

Planned Parenthood does not recommend using ECPs as a long-term solution to preventing pregnancy because they can be more expensive and less effective than other contraceptive options.

Methods of birth control appropriate for daily use can include both reversible and permanent methods and can vary in safety, effectiveness, affordability, and availability.

It is also important to consider protection against STDs. While ECPs cannot cause infertility, severe complications of some STDs can, and ECPs do not protect against STDs.

For more information on birth control methods, their effectiveness, features, and suitability, read on here.

Frequently asked questions

There are a lot of misconceptions about emergency contraceptives. Understandably, many have questions about their use.

What is the difference between Plan B and an abortion pill?

ECPs such as Plan B and abortion pills are different in that ECPs prevent a potential pregnancy, while abortion pills terminate an existing or confirmed pregnancy.

Does Plan B work during fertile days?

ECPs will not work if you are already ovulating.

However, ella may work closer to the time of ovulation than levonorgestrel ECPs like Plan B.

Additionally, as you may not know precisely when you are ovulating, it may still be beneficial to take an ECP just in case.

What happens if you take Plan B while pregnant? If it fails, will it harm the baby?

ECPs will not affect or harm an existing pregnancy or fetus.

The 2010 collaborative statement from the WHO and other international organizations suggests that levonorgestrel ECPs contributed to no differences in rates of miscarriage, birth weight, or birth abnormalities, or in the sex ratio at birth.

Summary

Plan B is a brand of ECP. ECPs can contain either levonorgestrel or ulipristal acetate, which work to prevent pregnancy in the same way but can differ in effectiveness and suitability.

For maximum efficacy, it is important to take either pill as soon as possible.

Side effects are mild, and ECPs cannot cause infertility at any stage.

Contact your doctor for advice on ECPs or concerns about your reproductive and sexual health.

Does taking Plan B multiple times affect fertility?

How many Plan B's can you take before becoming infertile?

How many times can your body handle Plan B?