just because you had sex doesn’t mean you’re f*cked. we're here to help.
just because you had sex doesn’t mean you’re f*cked. we're here to help.
Both Plan B One-Step® and the Julie Morning After Pill™ have the same active ingredient — 1.5mg of levonorgestrel (a synthetic progesterone). They work identically and have the same efficacy when used correctly.
The active ingredient in all over-the-counter morning-after pills, including Julie’s, is levonorgestrel. Levonorgestrel is a synthetic hormone commonly used in many types of birth control as well as emergency contraception. At the dose found in the morning-after pill, levonorgestrel pulls the emergency brakes on your ovaries so an egg can’t be released. Medically speaking, it delays ovulation. If there’s no egg, then there’s nothing for sperm to fertilize, which means a pregnancy can’t develop. Read more about how the morning-after pill works here.
No, not in the slightest.
The morning-after pill (including Julie’s, Plan B One-Step®, Aftera®, Take Action®, and other generics) contains a 1.5mg dose of levonorgestrel, which mimics the action of the naturally occurring hormone progesterone. Levonorgestrel works by temporarily delaying ovulation. Think of it as pulling the emergency brakes on your ovaries so an egg can’t be released. If there is no egg, then there’s nothing for sperm to fertilize, which means a pregnancy can’t develop.
On the other hand, the abortion pill (which requires a prescription) generally refers to the medication mifepristone (with or without its partner medication misoprostol). When taken together, mifepristone and misoprostol can end an existing pregnancy, which is something that the morning-after pill cannot do. If you’re already pregnant, the morning after pill cannot end an existing pregnancy. And that’s science.
Morning-after pills like Julie’s are 89% effective when taken within 72 hours (or 3 days) after unprotected sex. The golden rule: The sooner you take it, the better it will work.
Technically, no. The Julie Morning After Pill™ can be used by anyone with a uterus regardless of weight. However, studies have shown that the effectiveness of the morning-after pill does decrease in people who have a body mass index (BMI) over 25. For those with a BMI under 25, pregnancy risk after taking the morning-after pill is less than 2%. For those with a BMI over 30, the risk of pregnancy increases to 5.8%, meaning that out of every 100 individuals with a BMI over 30 who take the Julie Morning After Pill™, six may become pregnant.
Why? Unfortunately, we don’t really know, and preliminary research hasn’t come up with any better ideas. Read more here.
No, studies have confirmed that taking two pills will not change the effectiveness of the morning-after pill, even for those with higher BMIs.
Hard no. The morning-after pill only stops ovulation short-term. When you take it after unprotected sex, it reduces your chance of getting pregnant now. When you start a new cycle next month, you’ll go through a brand new ovulation phase, which is a new opportunity to get pregnant. Basically, you’re planning on having babies in the future, rest assured your chances of getting pregnant won’t be affected by the Julie Morning After Pill™.
Ovulation begins when the brain releases a burst of luteinizing hormone (LH) and ends with the release of an egg from an ovary about 24 hours later. If the ovulation process has started — meaning that LH release has already begun — the morning-after pill will not work. The medication only works by blocking the LH surge.
The Julie Morning After Pill™ is available without a prescription and is FDA-approved for over-the-counter use, so you do not need to see a doctor before or after taking it. However, there are a few reasons you might want to speak with a doctor after unprotected sex. The first reason is that unprotected sex carries the risk of catching sexually-transmitted infections (STIs). The second reason is that the morning-after pill is not as effective as regular birth control. A doctor will be able to counsel you on better options if you plan to remain sexually active.
Anyone. There’s no age, gender or ID requirement for buying the morning-after pill.
The morning-after pill is legal for over-the-counter purchase in all 50 states. You can get the Julie Morning After Pill™ at your local Target, CVS, Walmart, Walgreens, Amazon or get it delivered on GoPuff, UberEats, Instacart and Doordash — no ID required, ever. You can find a store that carries the Julie Morning After Pill™ here.
There are a few medications that can reduce the efficacy of the morning-after pill, and others that can exacerbate side effects. The most common include:
- Some anti-HIV medications
- Some anti-seizure medications
- Rifampin (an antibiotic mainly used to treat tuberculosis)
- Griseofulvin
- St. John’s wort
If you have concerns about a medicine you are taking potentially interacting with the morning-after pill, please consult with a pharmacist or medical provider.
Unless we’re talking IMMEDIATELY before sex, emergency contraception is most effective when taken AFTER sex. This is because the burst of progesterone in the pill only temporarily pauses ovulation. As the medication slowly leaves your system, the ovulation process may start up again. If you take the pill but have sex much later, you may not be totally covered. Ovulation may start again before sperm has died (it can live in the uterus for up to five days), creating a potential for pregnancy.
Sex that is "unprotected" may include any of these situations:
- You didn’t use any form of birth control.
- You use fertility tracking and think you may have had sex during your fertile window.
- There was an issue with your barrier method (eg, the condom broke or slipped).
- There was an issue with your birth control (eg, you missed one or more doses of your birth control pill or you were late for your Depo shot).
The Julie Morning After Pill™ should be taken up to 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex. The sooner it’s taken, the better it works. Learn more about morning-after pill effectiveness here.
There is nothing special that you need to do after taking the pill. If you are on birth control pills, it’s safe to continue use immediately after taking the Julie Morning After Pill™. It’s recommended that you use backup protection (like a condom) or hold off on having sex for seven days after taking the pill.
You will know the Julie Morning After Pill™ has been effective when you get your next period, which should come around the expected time. However, menstrual cycle changes are the most common side effect. If your period is delayed beyond one week, it may be due to the pill but it is also possible that you may be pregnant. It’s best to take a pregnancy test and follow up with your healthcare professional if positive.
One more thing to consider: the morning-after pill is a backup or emergency method and should not be used as a regular form of birth control. If you plan to continue sexual activity, consult with your doctor about a birth control method that makes sense for you.
Yes, you can take any morning-after pill multiple times during one cycle. One dose is recommended each time a person has unprotected sex. So if you have unprotected sex several times during a single menstrual cycle, it is recommended that you take a separate dose of the Julie Morning After Pill™ for each sexual encounter to get the best results.
Now that that’s out of the way: the Julie Morning After Pill™ is not as effective as other forms of birth control. If you find yourself taking it several times during one cycle, you may want to speak to your doctor or healthcare provider about regular birth control.
All over-the-counter morning-after pills (including Julie) contain a high amount of levonorgestrel, a synthetic hormone that’s also in some birth control pills. The extra amount of this hormone can affect your menstrual cycle and cause side effects like:
- Changes in your period
- Nausea
- Lower stomach (abdominal) pain
- Tiredness
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Breast tenderness
Most side effects like nausea, abdominal pain, and fatigue can start within a few hours of taking the morning-after pill, while menstrual cycle changes play out over the next month or so. Bear in mind:
- If you have severe abdominal pain, seek immediate medical attention.
- If you vomit within two hours of taking the medication, call a healthcare professional to find out if you should repeat the dose.
For more information about the Julie Morning After Pill side effects and how long they last, read this.
Most of the Julie Morning After Pill™ side effects are easily manageable, but sometimes they can be annoying. If that headache just won’t go away or your breasts are super tender, it’s safe to take ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or any OTC pain reliever. Listen to your body. After all, you’ve just taken a pill that affects your hormones. Feeling a little weird is normal. Rest, keep yourself hydrated, and give yourself some extra compassion.
Changes to your period are common. Your next period may come earlier or later, may be lighter or heavier — often with spotting in between. These changes are expected since the morning-after pill is intended to interrupt your menstrual cycle (by pausing ovulation). Plus, stress can also delay a period.
So if your period is more than one week late, don’t panic. It doesn't necessarily mean that you’re pregnant, but it is recommended to take a pregnancy test. If you are not pregnant, your cycle should return to normal within the next couple of months. If changes last beyond that, it’s best to check in with a doctor.
Essentially nothing. The Julie Morning After Pill™ is not an abortion pill, and it will not harm or end an existing pregnancy. The active ingredient levonorgestrel helps prevent pregnancy by stopping or delaying ovulation, but if you’re already pregnant it won’t harm you or your fetus. This makes the Julie Morning After Pill™ a great option for people who want to be safe after unprotected sex. If you aren’t pregnant yet, it may stop a pregnancy from occurring, and if you are already pregnant, it won’t impact the fetus.
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While we love to share useful and helpful information, the above shouldn’t replace the advice of your healthcare professional. For questions about birth control and other women’s health issues, please talk to your doctor.
