The Morning After Pill or “Plan B”
Must be taken within 72 hours of conception
The Morning After Pill is also known as “emergency contraception”. It is eight times the strength of the birth control pill.
How does it work?
There are three ways in which it works.
- Ovulation is inhibited, meaning the egg will not be released
- The normal menstrual cycle is altered, delaying ovulation; or
- It can irritate the lining of the uterus preventing the embryo from attaching itself to the uterus.
The result is a chemical abortion.
What are the side effects?
Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, lower abdominal pain, fatigue, headache, breast tenderness and menstrual changes. Most common are nausea and vomiting.
*The Morning After Pill is not effective if a woman is already pregnant.