Should I Take Plan B?

When It Makes Sense

• Good fit: You had a copper or hormonal IUD placed within the past 5 days and have had unprotected intercourse since the insertion. The IUD has not yet reached full contraceptive effectiveness, so an extra dose of emergency contraception can lower pregnancy risk.
• Good fit: You suspect that the IUD may have been displaced (e.g., after a recent pelvic exam, uterine sounding, or vigorous activity) and you cannot confirm its position immediately. Taking Plan B adds a safety layer while you arrange a prompt check‑up.

When You Should Avoid It

• Warning sign: Your IUD has been in place for more than a week, you have no reason to doubt its placement, and you have used a reliable barrier method or none at all. Adding Plan B offers little additional protection and may cause unnecessary side effects.
• Warning sign: You have a known allergy to levonorgestrel or have experienced severe reactions to hormonal emergency contraception in the past. In this case, Plan B should be avoided and another method consulted.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Provides an extra safety net if the IUD’s contraceptive effect has not yet fully developed.
• Non‑invasive, over‑the‑counter option that can be taken quickly after a potential exposure.

Cons

• May cause nausea, fatigue, menstrual changes, and other temporary side effects without adding meaningful benefit when the IUD is already effective.
• Duplicate hormonal exposure can be unnecessary and increase cost, especially if the IUD’s protection is already reliable.

Decision Checklist

• How many days have passed since your IUD was inserted?
• Do you have any reason to suspect that the IUD might have moved or been expelled?
• Are you allergic to or have you previously experienced adverse reactions to levonorgestrel?

Alternatives to Consider

If the IUD was inserted more than five days ago and is confirmed to be correctly positioned, you can rely on its high efficacy alone. For recent unprotected sex when an IUD is not yet active, a copper IUD can serve as emergency contraception. Ulipristal acetate (Ella) is another prescription option that works up to five days after intercourse and may be preferable for hormonal‑sensitive individuals. Always discuss these options with a health provider.

Final Recommendation

In most situations where an IUD has been in place for a week or more and its placement is verified, taking Plan B adds little benefit and is generally unnecessary. However, if the IUD was inserted within the last five days or there is uncertainty about its location, a single dose of Plan B can serve as a prudent adjunct. Because this decision involves personal health factors, you should consult a qualified clinician to confirm IUD placement and to discuss the most appropriate emergency‑contraception strategy.