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Emergency Contraception Timing
March 31st, 2026

How Effective is Plan B If You Take It the Next Morning?

Plan B is most effective when taken within 12 hours, with 95% effectiveness decreasing to 89% at 24 hours. The sooner you take it after unprotected intercourse, the better it works. Plan B can reduce pregnancy risk by up to 89% when taken within 72 hours, but effectiveness drops significantly after the first day. The morning after is still within the optimal window, especially if taken early. Studies show that levonorgestrel, Plan B's active ingredient, works primarily by preventing or delaying ovulation when taken before the luteinizing hormone surge.

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