The Most Important Things You Need To Know About Plan B & How To Access It In 2025
Here’s what you need to know about how Plan B works, where to find it, and why having access to it matters.
You make choices about your life every day: what to eat, what to wear, how to text "haha no worries!" when you are, in fact, worried. So ahead, you’ll find the facts about Plan B One-Step emergency contraception that will help you feel informed if you choose to take it when you need it. To make the best choices for yourself, and to stay in control of your reproductive health, you deserve clear, reliable information about emergency contraception. Hard stop.
That’s why it’s important to know that Plan B One-Step emergency contraception is here, it’s safe, and it’s available whenever you need it. Plan B has your back when it comes to informed choice and helping to prevent pregnancy, even given *gestures broadly* everything that’s happened over the last few years. A lot of us have Big Feelings about what it all means for us now and going forward, but access to emergency contraception shouldn’t be a mystery.
To make their point loud and clear, Plan B will be hitting up the music festival circuit this April for the first time. That means in addition to the bands, the desert vibes, and the ‘fits, Plan B will be there as a reminder that emergency contraception is safe, legal, and accessible. Condoms break. Birth control gets skipped. Sex isn’t always planned. But you can have a plan when things don’t go as expected. Plan B — the most widely available emergency contraception pill — helps you take control of your future, no matter what.
Here’s what you need to know about how it works, where to find it, and why having access to Plan B matters.
First: What exactly Is Plan B One-Step?
Short version? Plan B is a safe and effective backup birth control.
But let’s clear this up once and for all: Plan B One-Step is emergency contraception, not an abortion pill. It helps to prevent pregnancy before it starts by temporarily delaying ovulation (which is the release of an egg from the ovary), meaning there's no egg to fertilize. So if you’ve had unprotected sex or your regular birth control didn’t work out for whatever reason (missed a birth control pill, anyone?), let’s say it again: Plan B is a backup option that helps you prevent pregnancy before it starts. You simply need to take Plan B as directed within 72 hours after unprotected sex. The sooner you take it, the better it works. And it won’t affect an existing pregnancy.
Will taking Plan B affect your future fertility?
No, Plan B does not cause long-term side effects and will not impact your ability to get pregnant in the future. So if you’re not ready right now but think Future You might have a different idea, taking Plan B doesn’t change anything about that choice. Also keep in mind that Plan B won’t interfere with your regular birth control methods or make them any less effective.
Are there legal restrictions for buying Plan B?
You don’t need a prescription or an ID to get Plan B. It’s legal and available in all 50 states in the U.S. Regardless of your age or gender, or whether it’s for yourself or someone else, you can grab it from your local pharmacy or major retailer and head straight to checkout, just like you would when buying ibuprofen. Or gummy worms.
Heads up, it may be in a clear security case on your store’s shelf. That doesn’t change anything; you still don’t need to show ID or get a prescription. Just flag down a cashier to help you, no questions asked.
Where can I get Plan B?
Plan B is the most widely available brand of emergency contraception in the U.S. and they’re committed to being accessible at all major pharmacies and major retailers in your area. You can also order it online for delivery or schedule a same-day pickup. Plan B is available and accessible in the way that’s most convenient for you and your situation. Remember: You’re not alone and you always have options.
Knowing your choices means control over your future
Now more than ever, we can’t be apologetic about taking control of our own bodies. When it comes to helping prevent pregnancy, accurate, up-to-date information is essential to understanding the choices — and being able to access those choices when you need them.
You are the only one who owns your future so don’t be afraid to spread the word! Keep up with Plan B on Instagram for more of what we’re getting loud about this year: updates and education on emergency contraception, reproductive health, and how hot people know the facts.
Use Plan B emergency contraception as directed.
