Oh, f*ck…Should I Take Plan B?

Have you had unprotected sex? Wondering if it’s too late to take Plan B? Don’t freak out. Here’s what you can do to prevent unintended pregnancy.

Oops! You had unprotected penis-in-vagina sex and now you’re worried about getting pregnant. What should you do? Most forms of birth control, like the pill, an IUD, or the implant, need to be in place before you have sex. However, emergency contraception is a method of birth control you can take after having unprotected p-in-v sex to significantly lower your chances of becoming pregnant.

Before jumping in, it’s worth noting that emergency contraceptives, also known as emergency birth control, do not protect against STIs or HIV. If you’ve had unprotected vaginal or anal sex with a partner who has HIV, look into PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) which can stop you from contracting HIV after being exposed to the virus.

If you are unsure whether your partner has an STI, you can ask them if they’ve ever been tested for STIs and when. If they are unsure of their STI status and you are worried that you may have contracted an STI, you can always go get yourself tested at a doctor’s office or community clinic.

Additionally, emergency contraceptives are not abortion methods. They cannot stop a pregnancy if you are already pregnant. Typically, they prevent pregnancy by delaying ovulation so that there is no receptive egg ready to be fertilized by the sperm released into your body during unprotected sex.

Emergency Contraception 101

Over-the-Counter Emergency Contraceptive Pills
Over-the-Counter emergency contraceptive pills are ones that you can buy without needing a prescription. There are about a dozen brands of these pills and they are typically available at your local pharmacy and health clinic, such as Planned Parenthood. The cost is around $35 for generic brands and between $50 and $70 for name brands like Plan-B One Step and ella®.

Plan B
Plan B One-step is one of the most common brands of emergency contraceptive pills, and it has two generic forms called My Way®, and Take Action™. These pills are between 75-89% effective at preventing pregnancy and are more effective the sooner you take them after having unprotected sex. You should try to take them within three days of having unprotected sex, but you can take them up to five days after. There are few side effects associated with these pills, including nausea.

ella®
ella® is another common brand of emergency contraceptive pills. It is 85% effective at preventing pregnancy, and you can take it up to five days after having unprotected sex. You need a medical consultation to get ella®, but you can do this online through the ella® website.

Once you’ve done your consult, ella® can be shipped to you overnight via mail without a shipping fee. Some drawbacks to ella® are that it can interfere with hormonal forms of birth control (pills or IUDs). You should use a condom when having penis-in-vagina sex for two weeks after using ella®. Aside from that, there typically aren’t significant side effects when taking ella®.

Paragard®: The Emergency Contraceptive Intrauterine Device (IUD)
Though there are several types of IUDs that can be used for long term birth control, Paragard®, a copper IUD, is the only one that can be used for emergency birth control. You will need to arrange an appointment with a doctor or a community clinic to get it inserted within five days of having unprotected sex.

Paragard® costs between $500-$739. Some people may be able to get Paragard® free or for a low cost through their medical insurance. If prescribed, Paragard® will help you check if you are eligible to have the IUD completely or partially covered by checking your benefits for you.

Paragard® is a copper IUD that is available by prescription as both a general form of birth control and as an emergency contraceptive. It is the most effective form of emergency contraception; it has more than a 99.9% effectiveness rate when inserted within five days of having unprotected sex.

Adding to its appeal is that once inserted, the Paragard® IUD can stay in your uterus preventing pregnancy for up to ten years! Paragard® is also great for people who have a higher BMI because Plan B One-Step and ella® are not as effective for heavier individuals. Some drawbacks to Paragard® are that side effects include heavier, longer periods, increased cramping, and potential spotting between periods, particularly in the first months of having the IUD inserted.

I’m scared… How will emergency contraception affect my body?

Emergency contraception does not have any known impact on your fertility or your body. The one change some people may experience is that their period may come at a different time than expected after taking emergency contraception or they may experience bleeding or spotting in the month after taking EC. This is normal.

We all have moments where things don’t go as planned. Having a good feel for all your options beforehand will help you feel more calm and prepared if you find yourself needing to respond to an unexpected pregnancy scare.

 Header image illustrated by Marcy Gooberman

Must be looooooove on the braaaaain 🧠. Or was that s£x? 👀🤭 Our brains are our largest s£x organs and sometimes they get a little sad, hyperactive, anxious, or overwhelmed. You won’t always be in the mood for s£x and that’s okay! Keep communication with your partner open and ongoing, check in with yourself and your mental health, and lean on the support of a trusted therapist or doctor if you need some extra guidance. 🫶🏽 Anything you would add?

I mean 😏

It is not wrong nor should it feel shameful to ✨seek pleasure.✨ I think those of us who grew up more religious were taught that you should always be in service of others and giving of yourself rather than concerned with our own needs or passions. While it is wonderful to be generous with giving (and can in fact be a source of pleasure), it should be equally encouraged to pursue your own pleasure — it whatever form it may take! It may feel self-indulgent, but why is that a bad thing? Pleasure boosts our mental health. It helps us cope with a difficult world, with anxiety, depression, and stress. It makes us feel good! It gives us something to look forward to. Pleasure helps us connect with others and with ourselves. Pleasure (as long as it is not at the expense of someone else’s safety or well-being) should be a priority, for our joy and for our health. It really is so important! Where do you find pleasure? I personally love a good massage… 💆🏽‍♀️

It’s time for a talk, friend. Let’s be clear, you nor your partner ever has to do *anything* you’re not comfortable with. That said, if it’s something you enjoy and that’s pleasurable to you, it’s okay to ask your partner for it! They can say no, but if they invalidate your pleasure, much less expect you to do something they won’t do?? The ball is then in your court to decide if this is the partner for you. You deserve someone who cares about and prioritizes your pleasure. Who is thrilled to be acquainted with your body, all of it! S-x can be vulnerable to talk about, but when you do…it’s so much better. 👅 included. Ask your partner what their hesitations are and have a *conversation.* Maybe they’re nervous, intimidated, or struggling with shame. Maybe they’re down to try other things you would enjoy and build up to it. The point is, it shouldn’t just be automatically dismissed. You can decide what’s right for you and what makes you feel aroused, validated, and appreciated. Whatever you do, don’t internalize their rejection. Your body is beautiful, desirable, and definitely worthy of pleasure. 😋🥰

A UK study published in the International Urogynecology Journal found that only 46% of participants correctly identified that a female has 3 holes in the external genitalia. 😬 Not great. We’re taught so desperately little about our bodies and so discouraged from exploring them that we don’t even know what we’ve got going on down there! Understanding your own anatomy (and getting educated on your partner’s anatomy) can boost pleasure 1000x!! So take a mirror, use your hands, and get comfy exploring! 🪞🕵🏽‍♀️ And if you really want to get informed (and inspired 😉), head to our website for our basics on pleasure and anatomy. What do you think? Could YOU correctly label a diagram of what lies beneath?

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