Will I Get a Yeast Infection
After Plan B?

If you’ve found yourself in a position where you need to take a morning after pill like Plan B, you probably have a lot of questions. How does Plan B work? How will it make me feel? Are there any side effects? And if you’re someone who experiences chronic yeast infections or recurrent yeast infections, you may be worried about dealing with that dreaded itch on top of anxieties over becoming pregnant.

Let’s get to the bottom of a yeast infection after Plan B to help ease your worries.

How does Plan B work?

Plan B is a form of hormonal contraception that is available over the counter without a prescription. You can find it at your local drugstore, grocery store, or, if you’re someone who plans ahead, you can order it online from Wisp! The active drug in Plan B pills is levonorgestrel, a type of synthetic progesterone.

Unlike other hormonal birth control methods like birth control pills, the IUD, or the patch, which are taken before sexual intercourse, Plan B is taken after sex occurs. It works very similarly to these other methods in that it stops the ovary from releasing an egg and may prevent the sperm from fertilizing the egg if one is released. Plan B is not the same as the abortion pill—it does not terminate an embryo that already exists.

Plan B pill morning after contraceptive medication can lower the chances of pregnancy by nearly 90 percent. However, its efficiency is highly dependent on timing. It’s recommended to be taken within three days of the sexual encounter you’re concerned about but can be effective up to five days later. However, the sooner the better is the best principle to ensure the pill can work effectively. It’s the top reason we recommend having a couple of pills ready just in case you ever need them by ordering ahead.

Top Tip! Don’t leave your morning after pills in the bathroom cabinet for years until they are needed. Taking it after the expiration date is not dangerous, but the pills will lose their efficacy over time. It is good to have some on hand, but they do expire after about four years.

Can Plan B cause itching down there?

Itching is not a typical side effect of taking Plan B. If you’re experiencing itching, it may be a yeast infection, but it’s also possible that you may have contracted an STD or STI from unprotected sex. Plan B pills do not protect against sexually transmitted infections. Unexpected symptoms may be an indicator that you need to visit a clinic for testing and treatment, if necessary. The most effective way to protect yourself from an STI is by using condoms.

Serious side effects from Plan B are very rare, but you can expect some disruption to your normal menstrual cycle. Your next period may arrive earlier or later than your previous expected cycle. In addition, do not be surprised by a difference in your flow’s lightness, heaviness, or experience some spotting.

Feeling lightheaded, dizzy, or experiencing an upset stomach or tender breasts shortly after can occur—all of these side effects tend to go along with the hormonal changes that come from taking hormonal birth control. If you’re experiencing vaginal itching you may be wondering if the emergency contraception has triggered a yeast infection.

Does the morning after pill cause yeast infections?

If you’ve ever dealt with a vaginal infection, you know how uncomfortable those symptoms can be. Vaginal yeast infections are the second most common infections (after bacterial vaginosis) and typically involve vaginal itching and white, chunky discharge. A healthy vagina sits between a pH of 3.8 and 4.5—this moderate acidity is the result of helpful microbes in your vagina that help fend off infection!

Acidity limits harmful bacteria’s ability to grow. Changes in environment, lifestyle, or medication have a big influence on your pH, so a new sexual partner, body wash, antibiotic, or taking the morning after pill can easily interfere with your microbiome and cause problems.

While morning after pills don’t directly lead to yeast infections, they can cause hormonal changes that can disrupt your body’s natural hormonal balance. These disruptions can increase your risk of vaginal yeast overgrowth, especially if you’re prone to recurrent yeast infections. This overgrowth will overwhelm the necessary health bacteria in your vagina and lead to those dreaded yeast symptoms: itching, inflammation, and burning.

Prescription antifungal medications, like Fluconazole, are typically the most effective way to treat yeast infections quickly. Once your acute symptoms are under control, holistic preventatives like Boric Acid and Probiotics can support your vaginal microbiome and help prevent imbalance in the future.

Is it common to get a vaginal yeast infection after getting pregnant?

Studies have shown that 20-30% of women experience yeast infections while pregnant. The increase of estrogen in your body can create a hospitable climate for yeast to grow. Although they aren’t harmful to a developing fetus, most symptomatic yeast infections get worse when left untreated. This means more itching, redness, and inflammation. If the skin becomes cracked or torn from repeated scratching, a skin infection can result.

In rare cases, an untreated yeast infection can lead to fatigue, oral thrush, or digestive problems. If you’re pregnant and start feeling the symptoms of a yeast infection, talk to your doctor about the appropriate treatment and how to best soothe your symptoms.

Plan B is available for purchase over the counter with no prescription, ID requirements, age, or gender limitations at drugstores and pharmacies. At Wisp, we can have Plan B pill morning after contraceptive medication delivered ahead of time so it’s there just in case you need it, or with next-day delivery for those critical unexpected moments.

While one pill tends to range between $20—$65 at the pharmacy, we charge just $17. We also offer subscription birth control delivery, which is a more reliable, affordable, and convenient way of preventing pregnancy! Plus, subscribing makes it easier to make sure you don’t miss a dose.

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