Have a question about My After Plan®? See Our FAQs below.
If you have additional questions, please discuss with your healthcare provider
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is My After Plan®?
Because peace of mind isn’t just one step, My After Plan® conveniently packages a single-dose emergency contraceptive pill with an at-home pregnancy test.
My After Plan® Emergency Contraceptive is a backup method of preventing pregnancy and should not be used as regular birth control. Use as directed.
My After Plan® Emergency Contraceptive contains a Levonorgestrel 1.5 mg pill that helps prevent pregnancy when taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex. Levonorgestrel is the same active ingredient as regular birth control pills—just at a single, higher dose, and works by delaying ovulation.
Most doctors recommend using a pregnancy test after taking an emergency contraceptive pill. My After Plan® pregnancy test can be used to test on the first day after your missed period for extra peace of mind.
- When should I take the My After Plan® emergency contraceptive pill?
The sooner you take emergency contraception, the better it works. You should use the My After Plan® emergency contraceptive (EC) pill within 72 hours (3 days) after you have had unprotected sex. The My After Plan® EC pill is a backup or emergency method of birth control you can use when:
• your regular birth control was used incorrectly or failed.
• you did not use any birth control method.Use the My After Planner to figure out if you can use My After Plan®.
- How does the My After Plan® emergency contraceptive pill work?
The My After Plan® emergency contraceptive (EC) pill is one tablet with levonorgestrel, a hormone that has been used in many birth control pills for several decades. The My After Plan® EC pill contains a higher dose of levonorgestrel than daily birth control pills, but works in a similar way to prevent pregnancy. It works mainly by stopping the release of an egg from the ovary. It is possible that the My After Plan® EC pill may also work by preventing fertilization of an egg (the uniting of sperm with the egg) or by preventing attachment (implantation) to the uterus (womb).
- How do I report an adverse event or side effect?
If you’re experiencing an adverse event or side effect after taking My After Plan® Emergency Contraceptive pill, please call 1-800-818-4555.
- Where can I buy My After Plan®?
My After Plan® can be found on Walmart.com, Amazon and at select goPuff locations. Check out the Where to Buy Page for more information.
- How can I get the best results from My After Plan®?
You have 72 hours (3 days) to try to prevent pregnancy after birth control failure or unprotected sex. The sooner you take the My After Plan® emergency contraceptive pill, the better it works. Most doctors recommend using a pregnancy test after taking an emergency contraceptive pill. Use the My After Plan™ pregnancy test to test on the first day after your missed period for extra peace of mind.
Use the My After Planner to figure out if you can use My After Plan®.
- When should I not use My After Plan®?
The My After Plan® emergency contraceptive pill should not be used:
• as a regular birth control method, because it’s not as effective as regular birth control.
• if you are already pregnant, because it will not work.
• if you are allergic to levonorgestrel or any other ingredients in the My After Plan® emergency contraceptive pill. If you have any specific questions about emergency contraception, speak to your healthcare provider.
- How will I know if the My After Plan® emergency contraceptive pill worked?
You will know the My After Plan® emergency contraceptive pill has been effective when you get your next period, which should come at the expected time, or within a week of the expected time. If your period is delayed beyond one week, it is possible you may be pregnant. Use the My After Plan™ pregnancy test to test on the first day after your missed period for extra peace of mind. Follow up with your healthcare provider for additional questions or if the pregnancy test result is positive.
- How effective is the My After Plan® emergency contraceptive pill?
If the My After Plan® emergency contraceptive pill is taken as directed, it can significantly decrease the chance that you will get pregnant. About 7 out of every 8 women who would have gotten pregnant will not become pregnant.
- Will I experience any side effects from My After Plan® emergency contraceptive?
When used as directed, My After Plan® emergency contraceptive is safe and effective. Side effects may include changes in your period, nausea, lower stomach (abdominal) pain, tiredness, headache, dizziness, and breast tenderness.
Some women may experience temporary changes in their period, such as a period that is heavier or lighter or a period that is early or late. If your period is more than a week late, you may be pregnant. Use the My After Plan® pregnancy test to test on the first day after your missed period for extra peace of mind. Follow up with your healthcare provider for additional questions or if the pregnancy test result is positive.
Emergency contraception may cause nausea in some individuals. If you vomit within two hours of taking the emergency contraceptive medication, call your healthcare provider. He/she may want you to repeat the dose.
Severe abdominal pain may be the sign of a more serious condition, such as an ectopic pregnancy, that requires medical attention. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you have any questions or concerns.
- How does the My After Plan® Pregnancy Test work?
The test detects human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in urine: hCG is the hormone your body produces during pregnancy.
- When should I use the My After Plan® pregnancy test?
My After Plan® conveniently comes with a pregnancy test to be used to test on the first day after your missed period for extra peace of mind.
- How accurate is the My After Plan® pregnancy test?
The pregnancy test in laboratory studies is >99% accurate when used following the day of your expected period. However, some pregnant women may not have detectable amounts of pregnancy hormone in their urine on the day of the test or may have miscalculated the first day of their missed period.
- What do I do if the result is positive (pregnant)?
A positive (pregnant) test result shows that the pregnancy hormone (hCG) was detected, which normally indicates pregnancy. You must see your healthcare provider to confirm that you are pregnant. If you test positive, but think you may not be pregnant, you should check with your doctor.
- Do any drugs or medications affect the My After Plan® pregnancy test?
Only medications containing the pregnancy hormone (hCG) can affect the result (e.g., A.P.L.4, Pregnyl5, Profasi6 and Pergonal6). The test should not be affected by hormone therapies containing: Clomiphene citrate (e.g., Clomid7 and Serophene6); alcohol; painkillers; antibiotics; or the contraceptive pill.
- Will My After Plan® affect my fertility?
My After Plan® emergency contraceptive will not impact your future or long term fertility.
- What happens if I’m already pregnant and I take the My After Plan® emergency contraceptive pill?
My After Plan® emergency contraceptive is not an abortion pill and it will not affect an existing pregnancy. If you have any questions, talk to your healthcare professional.
- Can I use My After Plan® as my regular birth control method?
The My After Plan® emergency contraceptive pill should not be taken as regular birth control—it’s a backup method to be taken if you have unprotected sex or birth control failure.
- How long after taking the My After Plan® emergency contraceptive pill can I resume my regular birth control?
Right away. My After Plan® emergency contraceptive does not impact the effectiveness of any regular birth control methods, so you can resume your regular birth control or start one, if you don’t have a regular method.
- Can I use My After Plan® if I’m breastfeeding?
Yes, you can use My After Plan® when you are breastfeeding. In general, no harmful effects of progestin only pills, like My After Plan®, have been found on breastfeeding performance or on the health, growth, or development of the infant. However, random cases of decreased (less) milk production in mothers have been reported.
- How often can I use My After Plan®?
My After Plan® emergency contraception should not be used as a regular method of birth control. However, if you have already used My After Plan®, it can be safely used again after another instance of unprotected sex or birth control failure. My After Plan® should only be taken when your primary, regular birth control method was missed or your birth control method failed.
- Will My After Plan® protect against future pregnancies?
My After Plan® emergency contraceptive doesn’t provide long term protection against future pregnancy—when taken as directed it works to help prevent pregnancy within 72 hours of one incident of unprotected sex or birth control failure. If you are sexually active, even occasionally, see your healthcare professional or visit a family planning centre/clinic to find a regular method of birth control that suits you.
- Do I need a prescription to get My After Plan®?
No. My After Plan® is available right off the shelf at major retail stores and/or online—no prescription or ID needed. There’s also no age requirement—anyone can buy it.
- Does My After Plan® work for women with a BMI over 25?
The FDA states that there are no safety concerns that prevent the use of levonorgestrel emergency contraceptives in women generally, and believe that all women, regardless of how much they weigh, can use these products to prevent unintended pregnancy, following unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. The most important factor in the effectiveness of emergency contraception is how quickly it’s taken after unprotected sex or birth control failure. When taken as directed, within 72 hours (3 days), it can significantly decrease the chance that you will get pregnant. Approximately 7 of 8 women who use an emergency contraception pill as directed will not get pregnant. For any further questions or concerns, please speak to your healthcare provider.
- When should I talk to a doctor or pharmacist?
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using My After Plan® emergency contraceptive if you are taking efavirenz (HIV medication), rifampin (tuberculosis treatment) or medication for seizures (epilepsy). These medications may reduce the effectiveness of the My After Plan® emergency contraceptive pill. Your doctor may prescribe another form of emergency contraception that may not be affected by these medications. If you have any additional questions about emergency contraception, pregnancy, etc., please speak to your healthcare provider, as this site is not intended to provide medical advice or diagnosis.
- What if I still have questions about My After Plan®?
If you have questions or need more information, call our toll-free number at 1-800-818-4555. You should also speak to your healthcare provider about any specific questions or concerns.