What are currently available Emergency Contraceptive Options?

YOU MAY WISH TO CONSIDER EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION IF YOU:

Made love unexpectedly
Were forced to have unprotected vaginal sex
Had a condom break, slip or come off
Forgot to take several birth control pills
Weren't using any form of birth control
Expected your partner to pull out... but he didn't?
Unintentionally let "outercourse" lead to intercourse without proper protection?

If the answer is "yes" to any of the above questions, you may want to learn about emergency contraceptive pills.

Often referred to as the 'morning after pill', emergency contraception is pregnancy prevention after unprotected sex, suspected contraceptive failure, or rape. Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) work by providing the body a brief high dose of synthetic hormones similar to the traditional birth control pill. Emergency contraception pills prevent pregnancy by stopping fertilization or ovulation. Emergency contraception should be taken within 5 days (120 hours) of intercourse. It is most effective at preventing pregnancy when used within the first 24 hours. Emergency contraception is not 100% effective, however, even when used correctly. Typical results show that emergency contraception reduces the risk of pregnancy by 75%. Emergency contraception does not protect against Sexually Transmitted Infections, and should not be used as a primary form of birth control

. Another form of emergency contraception is the insertion of a interuterine device or IUD. The insertion of an IUD by a clinician within 5 days of unprotected intercourse is an effective method to prevent fertilization. The Copper T 380A IUD (ParaGard®) is the IUD of choice for emergency contraception. Once inserted, it can be left in place for up to 12 years.

What are currently available Emergency Contraceptive Options?

Progestin-only pills (POPs)
PLAN B: Take 2 pills as soon as possible within 120 hours of unprotected intercourse.
Combined oral contraceptive pills (COCs)
Preven: Take 2 pills as soon as possible within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse, and 2 more pills 12 hours later.
Ovral: Take 2 pills as soon as possible within 120 hours of unprotected intercourse and then 2 more pills 12 hours later.
Levlen, Lo-Ovral, Nordette, Low - Ogestrel, Levora, Tri-Leven, Trivora, or Tri Phasil: Take 4 pills as soon as possible within 120 hours of unprotected intercourse and 4 more pills 12 hours later.
Alesse: Take 5 pills as soon as possible within 120 hours of unprotected intercourse, and 5 more pills 12 hours later.
Copper T 380-A IUD insertion for up to 5-8 days after unprotected sex. This is the most effective emergency contraceptive.