Pregnancy can happen several days after having unprotected sex. Morning-after pills are "emergency contraception" options that are to be used with-in 5 days after having unprotected sex. It mainly works by stopping sperm from meeting with an egg. There are two options for emergency contraception. A copper IUD and the morning-after pill. Getting a copper IUD inserted within 5 days of having unprotected sex is the most effective type of emergency contraception. It works as well on day 5 as it does on day 1. As a bonus it keeps giving you super effective pregnancy protection for up to 12 years or until you have it removed. It can be challenging to get an appointment with your doctor for an IUD on such short notice. 

The morning-after pill will not end an existing pregnancy. There are two kinds of morning-after pills. Ella is the most effective morning-after pill and requires a prescription from your doctor. Plan B and other generic options like it are the next best option for emergency contraception. They are available without prescription at most drug stores and pharmacies. The cost range can be $11 - $50. You can be any age or any gender and walk in and buy it without ID. You can take Plan B up to 5 days after unprotected sex however, it works most effectively up to day 3. 

Morning-after pills are not good for your regular birth control plan. They are for "emergencies" and do not come without some uncomfortable side effects.

After an intake of 1.5 mg levonorgestrel in clinical trials, very common side effects (reported by 10% or more) included: hives, dizziness, hair loss, headache, nausea, abdominal pain, uterine pain, delayed menstruation, heavy menstruation, uterine bleeding, and fatigue. If you vomit within 2 hours of taking your pill, you will need to take another one. 

It is very normal for your next period to be different than what you are used to. This is because the morning-after pill is like taking a high and concentrated dose of regular birth control. Multiple uses of emergency contraception can cause long term disruptions in your menstrual cycle causing you not to know if you are pregnant or not. Remember, it only works for up to 5 days, however the side effects can last much longer. This is why it is not a healthy choice to use for normal birth control. If pregnancy occurs, there is no evidence of its use causing harm to the fetus. 

The following medicines or supplements can make Plan B and other levonorgestrel morning-after pills not work as well: 

• The antibiotic Rifampin
  
• The antifungal Griseofulvin
  
• Certain HIV medicines
  
• Certain anti-seizure medicines (these are sometimes also used to treat psychiatric disorders like bipolar disorder)
  
• The herb St. John’s Wort
  
• Barbiturates: these drugs are depressant drugs used to help sleep, relieve anxiety, muscle spasms, and prevent seizures.
  Prescribed names: Fiorina, Pentothal, Seconal, or Nembutal

• Street Names

  Barbs, Block Busters, Christmas Trees, Goof Balls, Pinks, Red Devils, Reds & Blues, Yellow Jackets

• Some research suggests that the morning-after pill is less effective in people who weigh more than 155 pounds or have a BMI above 25.
  

• More than one in four women in the U.S. have a BMI between 25 and 29.9, while two in five have a BMI above 30, according to the 2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics.
  

There is an effective process called abortion pill reversal* that can reverse the effects of the abortion pill and allow you to continue your pregnancy, but time is of the essence. The abortion pill is the common name for a chemical abortion process that combines two medications. It is also referred to as medical abortion, self-managed abortion, or DIY abortion. After taking the first pill, some women regret their choice and want to reverse it. That's where abortion pill reversal comes in. 

Using the natural hormone progesterone, medical professionals have been able to save 64-68% of pregnancies through abortion pill reversal.