Can Plan B Make You Infertile? Debunking the Myth

Taking emergency contraception like Plan B can bring relief, but it’s natural to have questions, especially about its effect on your fertility.

Rest assured, the concern about “Can Plan B make you infertile?” is a common one, and we’re here to provide clarity. The good news is, Plan B does not cause long-term infertility.

While Plan B doesn’t affect long-term fertility, if you are struggling with infertility concerns, reach out to us to learn more about your options.

This article will explain how Plan B works and precisely how it affects (or doesn’t affect) your ability to conceive in the future.

Disclaimer: We are not medical professionals, and the advice we offer is not medically certified. You should always talk with your doctor for professional medical help.

Can Plan B Make You Infertile?

No, Plan B does not cause infertility. Here’s why.

Plan B is a temporary and emergency contraceptive that is used to prevent pregnancy after a contraception failure or unprotected sex. It has no long-term effects on your fertility and does not cause future infertility.

It is meant to be fast-acting and temporary, rather than a routine method of birth control. When used properly, it is an effective method for preventing pregnancy after unprotected intercourse and has no effect on future fertility.

How Does Plan B Work?

Plan B works by delaying or temporarily stopping ovulation so that fertilization does not take place.

Ovulation is controlled by hormone releases and Plan B contains one large dose of levonorgestrel, an ingredient commonly found in hormonal birth control pills.

When taking within 72 hours of ejaculatory sex, this large hormone influx works to stop or delay the release of an egg from the ovary and thereby prevent fertilization.

How Often Can You Take Plan B?

Emergency contraception has no long-term harmful effects and you can take it multiple times. You may experience some of the unpleasant side effects in the short term, but there are no enduring effects.

If you’re wondering “Can taking Plan B make you infertile,” or “Can taking too much Plan B make you infertile,” the answer to those questions is no.

There are experts who agree that there are no long-term effects on future fertility from taking emergency contraception. However, if you find yourself relying on emergency contraception like Plan B too often, it might be best to speak to your doctor about a more reliable form of contraception.

Emergency contraception like Plan B is safe and effective but not an ongoing solution to prevent pregnancy.

Understanding Actual Causes of Infertility

The temporary hormonal changes induced by Plan B quickly leave your system, having no lasting impact on your ability to conceive in the future. So, if Plan B and infertility are on your mind, you can rest assured it’s not a cause.

Infertility is a complex condition with many potential causes, affecting both men and women.

Understanding these actual causes can help you differentiate genuine fertility concerns from unfounded worries related to Plan B and infertility.

Some common factors that can contribute to infertility include:

• Ovulation Disorders: Conditions like Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, premature ovarian failure or hormonal imbalances can disrupt regular ovulation, making conception difficult.
• Structural Issues: Blocked fallopian tubes (often due to pelvic inflammatory disease or endometriosis), uterine fibroids or abnormalities in the uterus can prevent the egg and sperm from meeting or a fertilized egg from implanting.
• Endometriosis: This condition occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus, potentially affecting the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and surrounding organs.
• Male Factor Infertility: Issues with sperm production, sperm function, or blockages that prevent sperm delivery can lead to infertility. This can include low sperm count, poor sperm motility, or abnormally shaped sperm.
• Age: Female fertility naturally declines with age, particularly after the mid-30s, due to a decrease in the quantity and quality of eggs.
• Unexplained Infertility: In some cases, despite thorough investigation, no specific cause for infertility can be identified.

Your peace of mind regarding Plan B and infertility should be high, as emergency contraception’s role is solely to prevent pregnancy shortly after unprotected sex, not to alter your long-term reproductive health.

When to Consult a Healthcare Professional About Fertility Concerns

Given the widespread concern about Plan B and infertility, it’s empowering to know that this particular worry is unfounded.

However, if you are experiencing genuine difficulties conceiving or have other ongoing fertility concerns, knowing when to seek professional help is essential.

This guidance is for general fertility inquiries, not as a result of using Plan B. You should consider consulting a healthcare professional about fertility if:

• You are under 35 and have been trying to conceive for one year or more without success.
• You are 35 or older and have been trying to conceive for six months or more without success. Female fertility naturally declines with age, so earlier intervention may be recommended.
• You or your partner have known risk factors for infertility. This includes irregular periods, a history of pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, previous testicular trauma, or prior treatments for cancer.
• You have concerns about your menstrual cycle. This could include very irregular periods, no periods, or unusually painful periods, which might indicate an underlying issue affecting ovulation.
• You simply have questions or anxieties about your fertility. Even without actively trying to conceive, a conversation with a doctor can provide reassurance and personalized advice.

When you consult a healthcare professional, they will typically start with a thorough medical history for both partners and may recommend initial tests.

These might include blood tests to check hormone levels, ovulation tracking, sperm analysis and imaging tests to examine reproductive organs.

Plan B and Infertility/Fertility FAQ

It’s natural to have more questions about Plan B and whether it affects your fertility. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Plan B and infertility/fertility.

Does Plan B Affect Future Ovulation?

Since Plan B has no long-term effects on your menstrual cycle, it does not affect future ovulation. For most people, they will get their next period when expected and their cycle will continue as normal.

Does Plan B Affect Your Hormones?

Plan B contains the same type of hormone used in some oral contraceptives, albeit in a single, higher dose. This causes a change in hormone levels since the dose is approximately three times more than a regular birth control pill.

The concentrated dose may cause some side effects but they should not be extreme or severe.

Can Plan B Affect a Pregnancy Test?

Pregnancy tests measure the hormone HCG that is not chemically related to the ingredients of Plan B therefore there is no reason Plan B could affect a pregnancy test. But the real-world answer is, “it depends.”

There’s a reason why you have to wait two weeks to take a pregnancy test since testing too early can lead to a false-negative result. If you don’t get your next period or are experiencing pregnancy symptoms, you should take a pregnancy test.

Plan B is more effective the sooner you take it but if fertilization and implantation have already occurred, Plan B will not work and the pregnancy will proceed.

Finding Your Path Forward

While Plan B does not impact your long-term fertility, we understand that struggling with infertility can be a challenging journey for many individuals and couples.

Surrogacy can be a viable and fulfilling solution for those for whom traditional conception methods are not possible. It offers a unique opportunity to build the family you’ve always dreamed of.

If you are struggling with infertility and wish to learn more about surrogacy as an option, contact us today.

We’re dedicated to helping you understand all your possibilities on the journey to parenthood.