People often ask whether they can use Plan B while taking birth control. The answer depends on what happened, what type of birth control you use, and whether your regular method may have failed.
When emergency contraception may be considered
Emergency contraception may be considered if birth control was missed, late, used incorrectly, or failed. Examples include missed pills, a delayed patch change, a ring that was out too long, a late shot, a condom break, or sex before a new method became effective.
If the issue is missed pills specifically, read Emergency Contraception After Missed Birth Control Pills.
Can regular birth control be continued?
After levonorgestrel emergency contraception, regular contraception can often be started or resumed immediately. However, backup protection such as condoms may be needed for 7 days, depending on the method. If you are taking birth control pills, follow the missed-pill instructions for your specific pill and ask a pharmacist or prescriber if you are unsure.
Important difference: ulipristal
Ulipristal acetate is a different emergency contraceptive pill. It can interact with hormonal contraception timing because it works differently from levonorgestrel. After ulipristal, a clinician may recommend waiting before starting or restarting hormonal contraception and using barrier protection. This is one reason it is important to know which emergency contraception product you used.
For more comparison, see Levonorgestrel vs Ulipristal: Understanding Emergency Contraception Options.
Emergency contraception is not ongoing protection
Plan B and generic levonorgestrel do not protect against pregnancy for the rest of the month. If you have unprotected sex again later in the same cycle, pregnancy may still be possible. Continue or restart a reliable birth control method according to directions and use backup protection when recommended.
What if you are already using a long-acting method?
If you have an implant or IUD that is in date and correctly placed, emergency contraception may not be needed. If there is a concern that an IUD moved, expired, or was removed, or if a shot was late, ask a clinician for method-specific advice.
Health & Wellness note
This article is not a substitute for medical advice. Birth control instructions vary by product. When in doubt, contact a pharmacist, prescriber, or clinic with the name of your birth control method and the date of the missed or late dose.
Sources and further reading
Explore related Health & Wellness support from Pill Pals.
My Way (Levonorgestrel) 1.5 mg Tablet - Generic For Plan B and Morning After Pill --- Lupin Pharma --- Over The Counter
My Way (Levonorgestrel) 1.5 mg Tablet – Generic For Plan B and Morning After Pill — Lupin Pharma — Over The Counter is available through Pill Pals Pharmacy with cash-pay pharmacy pricing and free shipping where available. This is an Over The Counter Product, so no prescription is required.However, your prescriber can still write for it as a prescription, if desired.
