Plan B vs. Daily Birth Control
Plan B One-Step and hormonal birth control pills both work by utilizing hormones, but they serve different purposes and contain significantly different doses.
- Regular Birth Control Pills: These are designed for daily use and contain a lower, consistent dose of hormones (either progestin-only or a combination of progestin and estrogen). Their primary mechanism is to prevent ovulation consistently, among other actions like thickening cervical mucus. Their effectiveness relies on strict, regular timing.
- Plan B One-Step: This is an emergency contraceptive containing a high dose of the hormone levonorgestrel. It is intended for one-time use after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure and works primarily by delaying or preventing ovulation. It is not as effective as regular birth control and should not be used as a routine method.
Is It Safe to Take Both Plan B and Birth Control at the Same Time?
Yes, it is generally safe to take Plan B while you are on a daily birth control pill regimen. If you need to use Plan B because of a missed pill or other contraceptive failure, you should continue taking your regular birth control pills as scheduled immediately afterward. Taking Plan B will not decrease the effectiveness of your regular hormonal birth control. The higher dose of progestin in Plan B simply provides an extra, immediate measure to prevent pregnancy after a specific incident.
The Critical Exception: Ella (Ulipristal Acetate)
It is crucial to understand that this rule only applies to levonorgestrel-based emergency contraceptives like Plan B. A different, prescription-only emergency contraceptive called Ella contains ulipristal acetate, which is an anti-progestin. Because it works differently, taking hormonal birth control too soon after Ella can make both medications less effective. If you take Ella, you must wait five days before resuming hormonal birth control pills and use a barrier method during this time.
Action Steps After Taking Plan B
If you take Plan B while on your birth control pill, follow these important steps to ensure continued protection:
- Do Not Stop Your Daily Pill: Continue taking your regular birth control pill at your normal time. This is essential for resuming your continuous protection.
- Use a Backup Method: For the next seven days after taking Plan B, you must use a backup birth control method, such as condoms. This is necessary because Plan B may temporarily affect your cycle, and your regular pill needs seven consecutive days of correct use to become fully effective again after a failure.
- Expect Side Effects: Due to the high dose of hormones, you may experience temporary side effects. These can include nausea, breast tenderness, headaches, or irregular bleeding.
- Monitor Your Period: Plan B can affect the timing of your next period, making it come earlier, later, or have a different flow. If you do not get your period within one week of when you expect it, take a pregnancy test.
Comparing Emergency Contraceptive Pills
Choosing the right emergency contraceptive is important, especially if you are also on hormonal birth control. The table below summarizes the key differences between Plan B and Ella.
| Feature | Plan B One-Step (Levonorgestrel) | Ella (Ulipristal Acetate) |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | Over-the-counter (OTC) at pharmacies and stores without a prescription. | Prescription-only. |
| Timing | Take within 72 hours (3 days) of unprotected sex for best results. | Take within 120 hours (5 days) of unprotected sex. |
| Interaction with Birth Control | Safe to continue hormonal birth control immediately after taking. | Requires waiting five days before resuming hormonal birth control. |
| Body Weight Impact | May be less effective for individuals over 165 lbs, though data is inconclusive. | More effective for individuals with higher BMIs compared to Plan B. |
| Mechanism | Delays or prevents ovulation using a high dose of progestin. | Delays or prevents ovulation using an anti-progestin; also affects uterine lining. |
| Relative Effectiveness | Up to 89% effective when taken promptly. | Generally more effective than Plan B, especially closer to ovulation. |
What if you just missed a birth control pill?
In some cases, if you only missed one or two pills, taking Plan B may not even be necessary. Birth control pills have specific guidelines for missed doses. For instance, if you miss just one active combination pill, you can take it as soon as you remember and continue the pack as usual, though it may be wise to use backup protection. Taking Plan B is most appropriate when you have missed multiple pills, or in the case of a barrier method failure like a broken condom.
Can you use multiple birth control pills as an emergency contraceptive?
Historically, some emergency contraception methods involved taking multiple birth control pills (the Yuzpe method). However, modern emergency contraceptives like Plan B are much more effective, easier to use, and have fewer side effects. Experts do not recommend self-administering multiple birth control pills as emergency contraception without consulting a healthcare provider for the correct dosage, as it is less effective and can cause more nausea.
Conclusion
Taking Plan B and birth control pills at the same time is safe, but it's essential to follow the correct procedure to maintain contraception effectiveness. Continue your daily birth control as planned after taking Plan B, but use a backup method for seven days. The key is knowing which type of emergency contraception you are using. Remember that Plan B is for emergencies only, not a substitute for a regular, more effective method of contraception. Consulting a healthcare provider or pharmacist is always the best course of action to ensure you are taking the right steps for your specific situation. For more information on emergency contraception options, consult a resource like Planned Parenthood(https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/morning-after-pill-emergency-contraception/which-kind-emergency-contraception-should-i-use).
