Are There Risks for My Girlfriend if She Takes Plan B?

Published: May 03, 2017
Dear TeenHealthFX,
So my girlfriend and I were having sex today, and the condom we were using broke. As soon as it broke I took my penis out, i had not yet ejaculated though. There might have been a little pre-cum on my penis though. Also, she is about to have her period, she's getting cramps. What are the chances of pregnancy? If she takes Plan B, will there basically be no risk?
Signed: Are There Risks for My Girlfriend if She Takes Plan B?

Dear Are There Risks for My Girlfriend if She Takes Plan B?,

Accidents, like a condom breaking, can happen. Emergency birth control can be a good option for these kinds of situations to protect against unwanted pregnancies. Plan B is up to 89% effective when taken within 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex. Plan B can continue to reduce the risk of pregnancy up to 120 hours (five days) after unprotected sex, but is less effective the more time passes.

You and/or your girlfriend can speak to a doctor if you have questions about taking emergency contraception. Although it is best to act quickly as EC is more effective the closer you take it to having unprotected sex. You can also click here for more information on emergency contraception from Planned Parenthood.

If you don't have a doctor and live in northern New Jersey, you can call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health at 973-971-5199 for an appointment with an adolescent medicine specialist or contact your local teen health center or Planned Parenthood. A Planned Parenthood health center is a good option if you have concerns about cost or confidentiality issues. You can also contact your insurance company for a list of in-network providers.

TeenHealthFX would also like to encourage you and your girlfriend to speak to a doctor about safer sex precautions for the future. Doctors generally recommend that teens and young adults who choose to be sexually active use condoms each and every time they have sex to protect against unwanted pregnancies and the transmission of STDs, as well as a back-up method of birth control such as the pill or birth control shot. A doctor can make the best recommendations for you and your girlfriend and discuss with both of you how to use properly use birth control to maximize its effectiveness.

FX also suggests that you and your girlfriend check out the links in our Resource of the Month: Planned Parenthood Resources on Safer Sex so that you can learn about sexual readiness, how pregnancy happens, pregnancy tests, emergency contraception, birth control, STDs and more. The more educated you are about these topics, the more likely you will both make healthy decisions for yourselves when it comes to your sexual health.

Signed: TeenHealthFX

Ratings