Is one pill enough to stop pregnancy?

The morning after pill is a good option for those who have had unprotected sex and want to avoid an unplanned pregnancy. But is one pill enough? Let’s look at how the morning after pill works and why it may not be enough to stop pregnancy.

The morning after pill, also known as emergency contraceptive or Plan B, contains a higher dose of hormones than regular birth control pills. This will prevent ovulation and fertilization from occurring, thus preventing pregnancy. It is important to note that the morning after pill does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

The sooner you take it after unprotected sex, the more effective it will be at preventing pregnancy. Ideally, you should take it within 24 hours of having unprotected sex. But you can still take it up until five days afterwards with decreasing effectiveness.

It’s important to remember that taking two doses of the morning after pill does not increase its effectiveness; only one dose is necessary and recommended.

Depending on where in your cycle you are when you take the morning after pill, there is a potential for conception due to late ovulation or sperm surviving in cervical mucus over multiple days.

The best way to ensure that you don’t become pregnant is by using additional contraception. Such as condoms or intrauterine devices (IUDs). Speak to your doctor about which other methods are right for you.

Ultimately, while the morning after pill can be an effective method of preventing unplanned pregnancies if taken soon enough, it should not be relied upon as primary birth control. This is because of its decreased effectiveness over time and potential risk of conception due to late ovulation or long-living sperm cells.

To reduce your risk of becoming pregnant, always use protection during sexual intercourse. Or speak with your doctor about other forms of contraception that may work better for you.