If you forgot to take your birth control pill and had unprotected sex, what do you do now? You've probably heard of Plan B, the alternative birth control method when other means of birth control fail. But is it safe to take if you're on the pill? The answer is yes, but there are few things to keep in mind when it comes to taking the morning-after pill on birth control.

Anyone Can Purchase Plan B:

Levonorgestrel morning-after pills, like Plan B One-Step, Take Action, and My Way are sold over the counter. Regardless of your age or gender, you don’t have to show an ID or have a prescription from a doctor to buy the morning-after pill.

How Plan B Interacts With The Birth Control Pill:

Plan B pills are an emergency contraceptive containing the hormone levonorgestrel - this hormone prevents ovulation and blocks fertilization. If you choose to take the Plan B pill, you must continue to take your birth control pills as usual - unless a doctor advises otherwise. The Plan B pill often has higher doses of hormones than your regular birth control pills, so when you take them simultaneously, you may experience some side effects.

What To Expect After Taking Plan B While On Birth Control:

While everyone will react differently (you could be one of the lucky girls without any side effects), some women may experience potential side effects, including:

1. Headache
2. Nausea
3. Changes in period (timing, flow)
4. Abdominal cramping
5. Mood changes
6. Tiredness

While many women tolerate the hormones in Plan B well, it's good to know the potential side effects. Nevertheless, contact your doctor if you are unsure about how you feel.

Plan B is considered to be safe for most women and has shown no long-term consequences. If you're taking Plan B because you skipped or missed one (or more) doses of your birth control pill, get back on track asap - Ginger-U can help make sure you never miss a pill again, by the way!

Most gynos recommend using additional backup birth control, like condoms, for the next week after you take Plan B. Even if you've resumed taking your birth control pills as scheduled, you can never be too cautious!

The morning after pill could delay your period by up to a week. If you don’t get your period within seven days after expecting, take a pregnancy test.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is it safe to take Plan B if I'm already on birth control pills?
  Yes, it's safe to take Plan B (a levonorgestrel morning-after pill) even if you're on birth control pills, especially if you've missed a dose or had unprotected sex. However, continue taking your regular birth control pills as usual.

• How does Plan B work in conjunction with birth control pills?
  Plan B contains higher doses of hormones compared to regular birth control pills and works by preventing ovulation and blocking fertilization. Taking Plan B alongside your birth control pills may lead to some side effects due to the increased hormone levels.

• What are the possible side effects of taking Plan B while on birth control?
  While taking Plan B with birth control, some women may experience headaches, nausea, changes in menstrual flow or timing, abdominal cramping, mood changes, and tiredness. However, reactions vary, and many women tolerate the hormones well.

• Should I continue my birth control pills after taking Plan B?
  Yes, you should continue taking your birth control pills as scheduled after using Plan B. This helps maintain contraceptive effectiveness and keeps your cycle regular.

• Is additional contraception recommended after taking Plan B?
  Yes, it's recommended to use additional backup birth control, like condoms, for at least a week after taking Plan B. This extra precaution helps ensure you're protected against pregnancy, especially if you've resumed your birth control pills.

• Can Plan B affect my menstrual cycle?
  Plan B can potentially delay your period by up to a week. If your period is late by more than seven days after you expected it, it’s advisable to take a pregnancy test to rule out pregnancy.