With more options than ever out there for morning after pills, the process can still be daunting. Board certified OB-GYN, Dr. Sheila Loanzon, explains that there are three main methods of emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex: the morning after pill (often referred to by the name of the popular brand, Plan B) which contains progesterone and is taken as a single dosage; an OB-GYN approved combination of estrogen and progesterone oral contraceptive pills that mimics the dosage of the morning after pill; and the copper IUD.

The FDA approved morning after pill can be bought over the counter and taken within 120 hours of unprotected intercourse, although it's most effective within the first three days. Taken within the first 24 hours, it can be up to 95% effective.

Side effects typically mirror PMS symptoms, including dizziness, cramps, and headaches. According to Dr Loanzon, "Nausea occurs in about 50% of women, vomiting in about 20%. Side effects subside within a day or two after treatment, and anti-nausea pills can be used to reduce these side effects."

For more info on emergency contraception, check out this guide here, as well as the information listed on the Planned Parenthood site.

Here, three anonymous twentysomething women who have taken the morning after pill explain what their experiences were like.

1. How old are you?

Woman A: 26.

Woman B: 22.

Woman C: 23.

2. When did you take the morning after pill? How old were you?

Woman A: I've taken it multiple times. At least six. I took it for the first time at the age of 18 and again up until I got an IUD last year.

Woman B: I was 19 years old when I took the morning after pill. I haven't taken it more than once because I have been on birth control since I was 15 and the one time I took [the morning after pill] I had lost my pill pack and was off of birth control.

Woman C: The first time I had ever taken Plan B was when I was about 20. I was a sophomore in college at the time... Being young and in school, I knew I didn't want that for my future — to drop out because of an unexpected pregnancy. That took place in 2015, I've since then taken the Plan B twice; once in 2016 and once recently in 2017.

5. How and why did you decide you needed it?

Woman A: The first time I took it was because I had unprotected sex with a partner. I had done this a few times and wasn't on birth control — I've since smartened up! I've also done it just as an extra precaution even if we used a condom. [Editor's note: Plan B shouldn't replace birth control as a primary contraceptive method.]

Woman B: I had hooked up with this guy the night before and we only had vaginal sex once throughout the night, though it was unprotected. I have been on birth control since I was 15 but this one time, I was off of birth control that week because I lost my pill pack. The guy actually was the one most stressed out about it, even though I told him I tracked my ovulation. But, just to be safe, we both decided it would be smart to get it.

Woman C: I decided to take the Plan B because the men I had unprotected sex with weren't men I felt were suitable to father a child at this age and stage in our lives. I assumed he would pull out, but he didn't.

3. Which brand of morning-after pill have you taken? Why did you decide on that brand over the others?

Woman A: At first I always took the original brand Plan B until one day the pharmacist assured me the generic brand was more affordable and contained the exact same composition. So I had used the generic brand at least twice.

Woman B: I took a morning after pill called Aftera — I think it was the store brand of the more popular Plan B pill, but I got it because it was $35 instead of the usual $50 and it's the same exact hormone dosage.

Woman C: The brand I purchased was the [generic], solely because it was what the men could afford.

4. How and where did you buy it?

Woman A: I would buy it at whichever local pharmacy was nearby, the sooner you take it the more effective it is! I would sometimes even get it the night before going out if I knew I would be having sex that night.

Woman B: I bought it at a CVS.

Woman C: I purchased the Plan B from Walmart's pharmacy all three times I've had to take it. Being in a college town, they were scarce at Walgreens locations.

6. Did anyone go with you to buy it? If so, who?

Woman A: Yes, I usually went with friends. I once had a guy friend accompany me although he wasn't the person I was currently dating — just very supportive! I've never actually gone with a partner.

Woman B: Yes, the guy I hooked up with drove us that morning after to a nearby CVS.

Woman C: Once, my roommate went with me. Other than that, I've always gone to purchase it alone. Initially, because I felt guilty, but afterwards I felt empowered by my decision.

7. If you told your partner, what did they think? Were they supportive?

Woman A: I'm now in a serious relationship. My partner is very supportive but also pretty level headed and I think we both realized [forgoing protection and using Plan B frequently] isn't the most economical choice for someone who is having sex on a regular basis. He actually split the cost of my IUD with me.

Woman B: Yes he was extremely supportive and more adamant about getting it than I think I was.

Woman C: When the unprotected sex took place (all three times), the first thing I did was ask if they were sure they ejaculated inside me. When they told me they did, they were all extremely remorseful, with two out of three offering to pay for the [morning after pill] themselves.

8. Did you feel any side effects? If so, which ones?

Woman A: I've never felt any side effects. I honestly enjoyed everything about it aside from the price.

Woman B: I didn't feel any side effects, although I know nausea or other PMS symptoms are common. But, like I said, I've been on birth control a long time so maybe I just don't feel the side effects anymore.

Woman C: The second time I took Plan B, I began to spot and have bad cramps. I was nervous I had an STD, but it turned out that it was a bacterial infection. I was treated through antibiotics and a cream for any potential itching.

9. How did you feel about the whole thing, emotionally? Physically?

Woman A: I do not feel emotional about it at all. I am very pro-choice and that choice for me doesn't include children. It's just not in my life plan.

Woman B: I had been on birth control for so long that I really didn't think twice about getting Plan B. ... Emotionally, I didn't feel embarrassed or traumatized or anything, maybe because we went so early in the morning that I bought it and no other customers were around and the sales associate was a woman and seemed unfazed.

Woman C: Overall, I was upset and disappointed that I was in the situation I was. Ultimately it was a lesson learned to make better decisions and be more conscious of how I treat my vagina.

10. What do you wish you knew about the experience before you took the pill?

Woman A: Nothing. I was well informed and did my research prior to taking it the first time.

Woman B: Nothing. I think I got very lucky having a supportive guy with me, and an empty store and a female associate. I can absolutely see, however, how if things had been different in anyway how it would be an emotional experience or even feel shame.

Woman C: I wish I would have known that the pill could have your pH levels fluctuating really bad. [Editor's note: Dr. Loanzon says the morning after pill does not cause the pH level to fluctuate. "It is more likely to be the recent unprotected intercourse and exposure to body fluids like semen is causing the pH change."]

11. Is there anything else you think other people should know about taking the morning after pill?

Woman A: I love my IUD and would urge others to look for a more permanent solution [than the morning after pill] if they are looking to avoid pregnancy. Just because I didn't have side effects doesn't mean others won't, a friend of mine was sick in a mall bathroom — she had me go with her to buy it since I'm apparently now a seasoned vet. Everyone's bodies and choices are different and we must be aware and respectful of that.

Woman B: I would say to not be embarrassed. Sex is nothing to be shamed about, especially if you're going out of your way to experience safe sex. If there's a chance you think you might need it, take it. The morning after pill will always be cheaper than a pregnancy. And don't let your parents, a boy, friends, or anyone else try to dissuade you from protecting YOUR body!

Woman C: Take it sooner than later.

Answers have been edited for length and clarity.

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Carina Hsieh
Sex & Relationships Editor

Carina Hsieh lives in NYC with her French Bulldog Bao Bao — follow her on Instagram and Twitter • Candace Bushnell once called her the Samantha Jones of Tinder • She enjoys hanging out in the candle aisle of TJ Maxx and getting lost in Amazon spirals.