Answers to your most common questions about the morning-after pill
What is the morning after pill?
The morning-after pill is a medication used as an emergency contraceptive. It contains hormones that can help prevent pregnancy if taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex.
How does the morning-after pill work?
The morning-after pill works primarily by preventing ovulation, which means that it stops the release of an egg from the ovaries. It can also make it more difficult for sperm to reach the egg if ovulation has already occurred.
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If I’m already ovulating will the morning-after pill work?
Restart™, or any morning-after pill with the hormone levonorgestrel, will not prevent pregnancy if you’re already ovulating. Because Restart™ prevents pregnancy by delaying ovulation, this means that if you take it while you’re ovulating it may not work as intended. It’s important to note that most don’t know exactly when they ovulate, so it’s best to take the morning-after pill as soon as possible regardless of if you think you’re about to ovulate.
The FDA states that there are no concerns that would prevent someone from using levonorgestrel emergency contraceptives safely — regardless of how much they weigh. However, there are some studies that suggest efficacy may decrease as body weight and BMI increase. If you weigh over 165 lbs or have a BMI over 25, the morning-after pill available without a prescription may not be as effective, and you may want to consider the prescription morning-after pill, ella®, or the copper IUD. If you have concerns about whether Restart™ is right for you, reach out to your primary care provider.
While everyone — at any weight — should be able to use the morning-after pill and trust that it will work effectively, we know that this is not the reality. As a team, we’re committed to advocating for accessible emergency contraception for all and will work to offer better options to our customers as they become available. We urge the FDA to approve a higher dose of emergency contraception that is effective for all bodies, regardless of size.
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It is common to experience short term side effects from the morning-after pill. Side effects may include changes in your period flow (heavier or lighter bleeding) or timing (your next period may be early or late), nausea, lower stomach pain, tiredness, headache, dizziness, and breast tenderness.
How will I know that the morning-after pill worked?
You’ll know the morning-after pill has effectively prevented pregnancy when you get your next period, which should come at the normal time in your cycle or within a week. If your period is delayed beyond one week, it’s possible you may be pregnant. You should take a pregnancy test and follow up with your primary care provider for next steps.
Will taking it have an effect on my ability to get pregnant in the future?
There is no research that shows taking the morning-after pill will affect your ability to get pregnant in the future.
Yes!! The morning-after pill is legal across the entire country. Because the morning-after pill, or Restart™, does not terminate an existing pregnancy, but simply prevents pregnancy before it happens, you can rest assured that you're safe taking the morning-after pill.
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