How many times can you take Plan B?

Medically reviewed by Sally Chao, MD. Last updated on July 22, 2024.

Official answer

by Drugs.com

You can take Plan B (levonorgestrel) as many times as needed for emergency contraception. There is no known limit on the number of times you can safely use Plan B. Plan B can even be taken more than once in the same menstrual cycle.

While research is limited, existing data suggest repeated, long-term use of Plan B has no known health risks and does not affect future fertility. In several studies reviewed in Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology, taking Plan B multiple times in one cycle did not cause any serious side effects. Frequent use of Plan B is not known to pose an increased risk of birth defects or health issues in babies born to women who become pregnant or are already pregnant when Plan B is taken.

However, Plan B is designed for emergency use if one has sex without using a form of birth control or if existing birth control methods fail.
Plan B has not been tested nor approved for use as a regular, long-term birth control method.
It is not meant to replace standard and longer term birth control methods, such as combined oral contraceptives, progestin-only pills or intrauterine devices (IUDs).

Longer term birth control methods are significantly more effective at preventing pregnancy than routinely taking Plan B as your only method of birth control, and they are often cheaper.

Taking Plan B repeatedly will expose you to higher hormone levels than standard contraceptive methods, and is likely to cause more side effects, such as menstrual changes, headache or abdominal pain.
Furthermore, Plan B does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and among contraceptives, only condoms lower the risk of STIs.

A doctor can advise and provide standard birth control options for emergency and longer term use, especially for those who find themselves requiring Plan B or other emergency contraception frequently. One option is the insertion of a copper IUD, which is an effective form of emergency contraception when placed within 5 to 10 days of sexual intercourse, and it can be retained to offer long-term protection.

References

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Emergency Contraception. June 2020. Available at: https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/emergency-contraception?utm_source=redirect&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=otn. [Accessed July 9, 2021].
International Consortium for Emergency Contraception. Repeated Use of Emergency Contraceptive Pills: The Facts. October 2015. Available at: https://www.cecinfo.org/publications-and-resources/icec-publications/repeated-use-emergency-contraceptive-pills-facts/. [Accessed July 9, 2021].
Cleland K, Raymond EG, Westley E, Trussell J. Emergency contraception review: evidence-based recommendations for clinicians. Clin Obstet Gynecol. 2014;57(4):741-750. doi:10.1097/GRF.0000000000000056
Paediatrics & Child Health. Emergency contraception. Paediatr Child Health. 2003;8(3):181-192. https://doi.org/10.1093/pch/8.3.181
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Plan B One-Step (levonorgestrel) tablet, 1.5 mg, for oral use. July 2009. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2009/021998lbl.pdf. [Accessed July 9, 2021].
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: Office on Women’s Health. Emergency contraception. April 23, 2019. Available at: https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/emergency-contraception. [Accessed July 9, 2021].
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). STD Awareness Month: Know the Facts. February 26, 2019. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/std/sam/gyt/knowthefacts.htm. [Accessed July 9, 2021].
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Practice Bulletin: Emergency Contraception. September 2015. Available at: https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/practice-bulletin/articles/2015/09/emergency-contraception. [Accessed July 9, 2021].

Can Plan B make your period late or cause bleeding?

Yes, Plan B (levonorgestrel) may lead to a delayed period or induce bleeding outside the typical menstrual cycle, as it contains a synthetic hormone. In order to prevent pregnancy, Plan B, similar to other contraceptive pills, needs to modify your hormonal levels, which can result in these menstrual alterations. It's worth noting that Plan B is linked to a higher likelihood of menstrual changes compared to regular birth control pills, due to its increased dosage. Continue reading

What are the signs that Plan B didn't work?

If you have had to take Plan B as an emergency contraceptive, you may be wondering if it has worked. While research shows it has an efficacy rate of 89% when used correctly, how easy is it to tell if it has worked for you? The easiest way to know that it hasn’t worked are a missed period and a positive pregnancy test. Continue reading

Does Plan B One Step work during ovulation?

No, Plan B One Step won’t work if you have already started ovulating because it works by temporarily stopping ovulation (when your ovary releases an egg for fertilization from sperm). Continue reading