Emergency Contraception

What are the currently available Emergency Contraceptive Options?

What are the advantages of Emergency contraception?

What are the disadvantages of Emergency contraception?

Where can I get Emergency contraceptive pills?

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.

Top

What are the advantages of Emergency contraception?

ECPs prevent unwanted pregnancies after forced intercourse, a mistake, or a condom breakage.
Emergency contraception pills do not affect future fertility.
ECPs can help to prevent abortions and are less costly.
They can be obtained and left in your medicine cabinet in case of an emergency such as condom breakage or forced sex.
In Washington, California, Hawaii, Alaska and New Mexico, ECPs are avilable over the counter without a perscription.
Making emergency contraception widely available could cut the number of unintended pregnancies in half and reduce the need for abortion. However, while emergency contraceptive pills prevent most of the pregnancies which follow a single act of intercourse, they are not as effective as ongoing contraceptives. Complete information about emergency contraceptive pills is available through your clinician or by calling 1-888-NOT-2-LATE

Top

What are the disadvantages of Emergency contraception?

Approximately half of all women who take emergency contraception experience nausea or vomiting, but these symptoms typically only last for 24 hours. Some women also experience breast tenderness, headaches, dizziness, and irregular bleeding. Nausea may be alleviated by taking a Dramamine pill one hour before each dose of emergency contraceptive pills.
ECPs are not as effective as other contraceptives. Also, ECPs are not as effective as inserting a Copper T IUD after unprotected sex.
ECPs should only be used in the case of an emergency and should not be used as your regular contraceptive. However, if you do use ECPs several times, they are not dangerous.
ECPs provide no protection against sexually transmitted infections; you may need to be treated for infection.
Some pro-life advocates consider ECPS to be a form of abortion.
Costs for emergency contraceptive devices vary greatly. Some clinics and health centers offer free or discounted ECPS based on income. The total cost of getting ECPs may be as much as $45 to over $100.

Top

Where can I get Emergency contraceptive pills?
Did you know that for 120 hours after sex, you can take emergency contraceptive pills to avoid becoming pregnant? AND for 5 to 7 days after sex, you can have an IUD inserted to help prevent pregnancy? Emergency postcoital insertion of the Copper T 380 A IUD (ParaGard) is the most effective currently available postcoital contraceptive. For more information you can call the toll-free hotline (1-888) NOT-2-LATE.

Top