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Does the Morning After Pill Work If You''ve Already Ovulated?
Understanding Emergency Contraception Timing
March 31st, 2026
Does the Morning After Pill Work If You''ve Already Ovulated?
The morning after pill has limited effectiveness if you've already ovulated. Emergency contraceptives like Plan B primarily work by delaying or preventing ovulation, so they're most effective when taken before the luteinizing hormone surge that triggers egg release. Studies show Plan B reduces pregnancy risk by 89% when taken within 72 hours, but this effectiveness drops significantly if ovulation has already occurred. If ovulation happened 24-48 hours before unprotected intercourse, the morning after pill may still provide some protection by affecting sperm transport or fertilization. However, once the egg is released and fertilization occurs, emergency contraception cannot prevent pregnancy.
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