How many times can you take Plan B?

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.