Is it safe to take emergency contraceptives more than once during a menstrual cycle?

You do not need to worry about taking emergency contraceptives (EC) more than once during your menstrual cycle. EC pills work by delaying or preventing ovulation - when an egg is released from the ovaries. However, ECs are not a replacement for regular birth control methods. You can expect the following short-term side effects after taking EC:

  • Headache
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Breast tenderness
  • Abdominal pain
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
  • Irregular bleeding patterns

Because ECs delay or prevent ovulation, this can affect the duration of your next menstrual cycle, making it either shorter or longer than usual. However, using EC does not impact your future fertility. 
 
Another form of EC is the copper intrauterine device (IUD) which can be inserted into the uterus within 5 days from having unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy from happening. This is also a more long-term and dependable method of contraception.