How many times is it safe to take Plan B?

Emergency contraception, popularly known as the morning-after pill or plan B, prevents pregnancy after unprotected sex or when other birth control methods fail. But what happens if you take it more than once? There are many emergency contraception myths despite how common it is.

If you want to keep emergency contraception on hand, Hey Jane offers two options: Plan B and prescription-strength Ella. You can fill out our intake form online and consult with a provider via text, chat, phone, or video call to get your prescription delivered to your home or local pharmacy for pick up. 

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What is emergency contraception?

Emergency contraception prevents pregnancy after unprotected sex or birth control failure (like a broken condom or missed pill). While often called “Plan B” or the “morning-after pill,” some options work up to 5 days after sex.

It works by delaying ovulation. The sooner you take it, the better. If ovulation has already happened, it won’t work — and you’ll need to take a pregnancy test later. Not sure if you’ve ovulated? Plan B is safe to take.

Types include Plan B (and generics), Ella (prescription only), copper IUDs, and sometimes higher doses of birth control pills. You can get Plan B and Ella through Hey Jane to keep on hand. Get started here.

If you want to keep emergency contraception on hand, Hey Jane offers two options: generic Plan B One-Step and prescription-strength Ella. You can fill out our intake form online and consult with a provider via text, chat, phone, or video call to get your prescription delivered to your home or local pharmacy for pick up.

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How many times can I take Plan B?

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What happens if you take Plan B multiple times?

It’s safe. You might experience side effects like cycle changes, nausea, headaches, breast tenderness, or fatigue, but there are no long-term health risk

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Side effects of emergency contraception

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Who shouldn’t use emergency contraception pills?

Emergency contraception is very safe and effective, but like any medication, certain options may not be right for you. You should not take emergency contraception pills if

• You’re allergic to any of the pill’s ingredients
• You're taking barbiturates, which reduce the effectiveness of emergency contraception
• You're taking St. John’s wort, which reduces the effectiveness of emergency contraception

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If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, you should check with your primary care doctor or pediatrician before taking emergency contraception.

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Does Plan B work if my partner came inside multiple times?

The effectiveness of Plan B doesn’t change if your partner has ejaculated in you multiple times. However, because Plan B delays ovulation, you want to be sure that the ejaculation is timed to keep you protected by the dose you took!

Other considerations if using emergency contraception frequently

You can use emergency contraception as frequently as you like, but there are factors other than health and safety you may want to consider if taking it often. Emergency contraception can be more complicated, expensive, or stressful to obtain regularly—especially if you are working against the clock. Some additional considerations include:

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Efficacy of emergency contraception vs. birth control

Emergency contraception is very effective and does not get less effective each time you use it. However, emergency contraception pills are actually less effective than using regular contraceptive methods consistently and correctly! Plan B One Step is 87.5% effective when used as directed. If you have already ovulated, Plan B will not be effective at preventing pregnancy. On the other hand, many birth control options work by preventing ovulation all the time instead of once like Plan B.

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Cost of emergency contraception vs. birth control

Emergency contraception can cost between $11-$50 on average for one dose without insurance, roughly the same price range as a 30 day supply of birth control pills. Emergency contraception is covered by insurance, but not all plans cover Ella (the most effective emergency contraception pill).  Generally, it’s more cost efficient to use another form of contraception regularly.

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Availability of emergency contraception vs. birth control

Plan B (available over-the-counter) and Ella (a prescription option) should be available at most drug stores and pharmacies, but that doesn’t always mean they’re in stock. A 2021 study found that 32% of pharmacies in Western Pennsylvania didn’t have Plan B in stock—creating additional barriers to access when you’re in a time crunch. With daily or long term birth control methods, you can get a prescription for up to 12 months so you don’t have to keep requesting refills. You can also consult with a virtual provider, like Hey Jane, to have a consultation without leaving home.

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Tips for using emergency contraception safely 

Emergency contraception can be a great backup when things don’t go as planned after sexual intercourse. But to ensure it actually works, keep the following tips in mind the next time you need to take Plan B:

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1. Buy emergency contraception in advance

To avoid the stress of finding a pharmacy that stocks emergency contraception during an urgent situation, consider purchasing Plan B or Ella in advance. Having it readily available ensures you can take it as soon as needed, maximizing how effective it is at preventing pregnancy. Both pills are effective for several years before they expire as long as they are stored in a cool, dry place.

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2. Check the expiration date

Always check the expiration date on your emergency contraception before using it—especially if you purchased it in advance. Expired emergency contraception isn’t a safe or effective option because the active ingredients in the pill have started to break down. Both Plan B and Ella are effective for several years until they expire as long as they are stored in a cool, dry place.

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3. Check the weight limits

Emergency contraception pills may be less effective if you weigh over 165 pounds and take Plan B (levonorgestrel) or if you weigh over 195 pounds and take Ella. If you fall outside these weight ranges, a copper IUD, which is not affected by body weight, might be a more reliable option. If you don’t have another option, Plan B or Ella might still be worth a shot and won’t hurt you if you use them. You can always consult with a trusted healthcare provider who can help you choose the most effective emergency contraception based on your weight and preferences. 

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4. Follow the instructions

It seems fairly simple, but it is crucial to follow directions to make sure you maximize the effectiveness of your emergency contraception pill. Don’t forget to review the list of medications that your emergency contraception pill can impact. For example, Ella works by blocking progesterone which is one of the main ingredients in birth control pills. If you use birth control pills regularly, Ella could reduce their efficacy and your birth control pills could reduce the efficacy of Ella. You should reach out to your provider to discuss how to best take Ella if you have any concerns about other medications you are taking. 

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5. Explore your birth control options

Emergency contraception is a great, and very safe, tool to prevent pregnancy in a pinch, but there are many methods you can use before sex to reduce the need for emergency contraception. Depending on your preferences, there are many reliable options to choose from, including:

• Methods used only when having penetrative sex (e.g. condoms)
• Methods used daily (e.g. birth control pills, the patch, the ring, the shot aka Depo Provera)
• Long term methods (the arm implant, IUDs)
• Non-hormonal methods (natural family planning/ovulation tracking)

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You can speak with your health care provider to discuss the best birth control methods for you, or connect with a compassionate provider at Hey Jane who can guide you through different options to try based on your medical history, lifestyle, and personal preferences.

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If you missed the window to use emergency contraception and become pregnant, you can get fast, virtual abortion care from Hey Jane. Our licensed clinicians can prescribe FDA-approved abortion pills: mifepristone (which stops the pregnancy from growing) and misoprostol (which helps empty your uterus) and are with you through every step before, during, and after treatment. Treatment is mailed to your doorstep in unmarked packaging to maintain your privacy, and you can take the pills from the comfort of your own home.