What Is It?
Emergency contraception is a way to prevent pregnancy after
unprotected sex. Often called the morning-after pill, emergency contraceptive
pills (ECPs) can be taken any time up to 72 hours after having unprotected sex.
ECPs should be prescribed by a doctor.
How Does It
Work?
The hormones estrogen and progesterone can prevent pregnancy
when prescribed by a doctor in high doses. The number of pills taken depends on
the type of pill being used. The first dose of pills should be taken within 72
hours of unprotected intercourse followed by a second dose of pills 12 hours
later. The hormones work primarily by delaying ovulation (the release of an egg
during the monthly cycle) and are less effective if fertilization has already
occurred.
How Well Does It Work?
About 25 out of 100 women will become pregnant even if emergency
contraceptive pills were taken within 72 hours of having unprotected sex. Of
course, this is an average figure. Emergency contraception is most effective
when taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex. For example, about 5 out
of 100 women will become pregnant if the pill is taken within 24 hours after
having unprotected sex.
Emergency contraception will not prevent pregnancy
if a girl has unprotected sex after taking the emergency contraceptive
pills.
Because emergency contraception does not
prevent all pregnancies, a woman should see her doctor if she doesn't have a
period within 3 weeks after taking ECPs.
Protection Against STDs
Emergency contraception does not protect against sexually
transmitted diseases (STDs). For those having sex, a
condom must
always be used to protect against STDs even when using another method of
birth control.
Possible Side
Effects
The larger-than-normal dose of hormone causes side
effects in many of the women receiving emergency contraception. These side
effects improve within 1 to 2 days and include nausea, vomiting, breast
tenderness, and headache. In addition, the menstrual period may be irregular
after taking ECP.
Who Uses
It?
Emergency contraception is not
recommended as a regular birth control method. Instead, it is used for
emergencies only. If you are having sex and the condom breaks or slips off, if
your diaphragm or cervical cap slips out
of place, or if you forgot your birth control pills 2
days in a row, you may want to consider using emergency contraception. It is
also available to teens who are forced to have unprotected sex.
Emergency contraception is not recommended for
girls who know they are pregnant. In addition, there may be medical
conditions and circumstances where this method of birth control is not
recommended.
How Do You Get It?
In most cases, a doctor must prescribe ECPs. Many health clinics
also provide them. You must call as soon as possible after having
unprotected sex because ECPs are most effective during the first 72 hours. Call
(888) NOT 2 LATE.
How Much Does It Cost?
Depending on the types of pills that are prescribed, the emergency
contraceptive pill costs between $8 and $35. Many health insurance plans cover
the cost of emergency contraception and family planning clinics (such as Planned
Parenthood) charge much less.
Abstinence (the
decision to not have sex) is the only method that always
prevents pregnancy
and STDs.
Updated and reviewed by: Elana P. Ben-Joseph,
MD
Date reviewed: August
2004
Originally reviewed by: Neil
Izenberg, MD and George A.
Macones, MD
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