If you have had sex without a condom, you may be concerned about a baby.The morning after pill can prevent conception and give you peace of mind.You can get a prescription from your doctor or buy a morning after pill at a pharmacy.
Step 1: You can go to your local pharmacy or grocery store.
You can buy pills over the counter at most stores.If you're paying full price, most morning after pills are around $35-50.Other family planning methods include condoms and morning after pills.You can ask at the pharmaceuticals counter if you don't see the pill on the shelves.There are brand name and generic options.If you are sensitive to any of the active ingredients, both are equally effective.Some stores may not sell the morning after pill because of their moral code.If you have reason to suspect the store's owners might be against family planning, call ahead of time.
Step 2: Sexual health clinics can be found at walk-in clinics.
You can get the morning after pill at a sexual health clinic or walk-in health center.This is more discreet than a retail outlet if you are within business hours.If you can't afford full price, a clinic may price the pill on a sliding scale.You will be asked about your income and insurance.If you live in the U.S., you should look for a health center that offers emergency contraception.If you don't know when or how it is available, ask a member of staff or the nurse.
Step 3: Get a prescription.
Emergency contraception can be prescribed by your doctor.Schedule an appointment with your doctor if you have any questions about taking the morning after pill.You can see the doctor if you tell the receptionist that the matter is urgent.If you have to explain the situation to your doctor, she may prescribe emergency contraception for you.She might suggest using a regular form of birth control.Plan B is the most popular pill, but it is not as effective in women with a body mass index over 35.As the effectiveness of the pill decreases over time, you should get it as soon as possible.
Step 4: Emergency contraception should be taken as soon as possible.
If you have had sex without a condom and are worried that you could get pregnant, take the morning after pill as soon as possible.You can take the morning after pill for up to five days after having sex.Women under the age of 17 must get a prescription for morning after pills in many states.During your menstrual cycle you can take the pill.The morning after pill can be used to prevent pregnancies.You shouldn't use this as a regular form of birth control.
Step 5: Discuss indications with your pharmacist.
Everyone can use over the counter emergency contraception, but it may not be as effective for every woman and some may be allergic to it.Don't forget to read and understand any indications or contraindications that come along with emergency contraception.The morning after pill is less effective for women with a Body Mass Index over 25.The effectiveness of the morning after pill can be affected by certain medications and supplements.It may not be as effective if you have an allergy to the morning after pill.
Step 6: There are side effects.
Some morning after pill users experience side effects.After a few days, these usually go away.It is possible to experience nausea or vomiting after taking a pill.After taking the morning after pill, you may feel unwell.After taking a pill, you may experience breast pain or abdominal pain.After taking the morning after pill, you may experience bleeding.If you experience bleeding or spotting that lasts longer than a week or if you have severe abdominal pain after taking the morning after pill, contact your doctor immediately.It can help rule out an ectopic pregnancy.
Step 7: If you throw up, repeat the dose.
Emergency contraception can cause nausea.If you vomit within an hour of taking the pills, repeat the dose.Don't repeat the entire process, just the dose you threw up.It is possible that you need to take an anti-nausea medication.
Step 8: Don't use multiple forms of emergency contraception.
Only use one form of contraception.The different types of morning after pill may make the other less effective than using two forms of emergency contraception.You are more likely to have nausea, vomiting, and other side effects if you use multiple forms of emergency contraception.
Step 9: You can use backup contraception.
If you don't have a regular form of birth control after taking the morning after pill, use a backup form.Unwanted pregnancies can be prevented by this.Condoms are your backup form of contraception.If you take the morning after pill, use backup contraception for 14 days.
Step 10: Determine your dose.
If you missed a birth control pill, you may be able to increase your dose as an emergency contraceptive.You should discuss the number of pills you should take with your doctor.You can discuss your options with a representative from the organization.One dose may be 4 or 5 pills.
Step 11: Take two shots.
You have to take two pills within 12 hours of each other.This is an effective method for preventing pregnancies.After having sex, take your first dose up to 5 days or 120 hours.The second dose should be taken 12 hours after the first.An hour more or less won't make a difference.
Step 12: Do not take extra pills.
You may be tempted to take more than 4-5 pills to make sure it works, but this won't reduce your risk.Raising your chances of an upset stomach is what it will do.Seek medical attention if you experience severe stomach pain.
Step 13: Take into account your family wishes and lifestyle.
When you decide to use birth control, you should consider a number of factors, including if and when you want children, whether you take pills or not, and your lifestyle, such as if you travel frequently.It is possible to determine the most appropriate form of birth control by thinking about these questions.If you are in a long term relationship and want to wait a few years to have children, you can use an IUD.Birth control pills and condoms are available to protect against sexually transmitted diseases if you have more than one partner.Do I want to plan every time I have sex, or should I take a pill every day?You will want to think about your health.Birth control pills may not be a good choice if you suffer from migraines.
Step 14: You can check out barrier methods.
There are a number of barrier methods that can be used before sex, including male and female condoms, a diaphragm, and spermicide.If used properly, these methods can help protect against pregnancy, but you may want to use a secondary method to make sure you don't get pregnant.If you use condoms which have a failure rate of 1-2%, you may want to use a spermicide.The advantage to barrier methods is that they protect against sexually transmitted infections.
Step 15: Try hormonal birth control.
Hormonal birth control has a low failure rate and is a good option if you want to avoid pregnancies and are in a long-term relationship.The different types of hormonal birth control are the pill, patch, and vaginal ring.Birth control pills can be used to regulate your menstrual cycle.
Step 16: You should consider an IUD or implant.
If you want to wait to have children, you can use a long-acting contraceptive such as an IUD, hormonal shots, or a contraceptive implant.It can take some time to return to fertility after using these methods, but they will not affect your ability to conceive in the long-term.
Step 17: If you don't want children, look into sterilizing.
If you're sure you don't want children, sterilization is a birth control option.Before making a final decision to go through with tubal ligations, they need to be seriously considered.
Step 18: Know the risks of different birth control methods.
Birth control methods come with risks, including unwanted pregnancies.Being aware of potential risks and side effects of different birth control methods can help you choose the best method for you.Hormonal birth control can affect your cholesterol and blood pressure.Barrier methods such as condoms, spermicides, and caps can cause allergic reactions and increase your risk for STDs.Pain and heavy menstrual bleeding are among the risks of long-acting contraceptive methods.