Emergency Contraception

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• QWhat is emergency contraception?

  5 Answers

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  A Portsmouth Regional Hospital answered

  Emergency contraception, or emergency birth control, is used to help keep a woman from getting pregnant after she has had sex without using birth control or if the birth control method failed. If you are already pregnant, emergency contraception will not work.
  Use emergency contraception if:

  • You didn't use birth control
  • You were forced to have sex
  • The condom broke or came off
  • Your diaphragm slips out of place
  • He didn't pull out in time
  • You missed at least two or three active birth control pills in a row (depending on which pill brand you use)
  • You were late getting your shot
  • You have reason to think your regular birth control might have failed

  Emergency contraception should not be used as regular birth control. Other birth control methods are much better at keeping women from becoming pregnant. Talk with your doctor to decide which one is right for you.
  This answer is based on source information from Office of Women's Health.

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• QWhat are the differences between emergency contraception and RU486?

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  A Dr. Lauren F. Streicher, MD , Gynecology, answered

  RU486 is an abortofacient that became FDA approved around the same time as Emergency Contraception, and received far more publicity. Emergency Contraception and RU486 are completely unrelated, and used in completely separate circumstances, yet confusion is still rampant about the two. Few people are aware that while emergency contraception is taken within 5 days of unprotected intercourse to PREVENT pregnancy, RU486 is taken after established pregnancy to induce abortion. A surprising number of people think that RU486 is the morning after pill, and are therefore are reluctant to take it.
• QWhat is the emergency contraception (morning after) pill?

  1 Answer

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  A Dr. Lauren F. Streicher, MD , Gynecology, answered

  Emergency contraception (EC) involves taking 1 or 2 pills within 5 days of unprotected intercourse. The hormones in two types of EC are the same hormones commonly found in birth control pills. (The newest EC pill, ulipristal, is nonhormonal.) The difference between emergency contraception and standard oral contraceptives is in the dosage and timing.
  
  The sooner the pills are taken, the more effective (hence, "the morning after" pill); but it is still highly effective as long as it is taken within 5 days of unprotected intercourse. Side effects are minimal and can include nausea, vomiting and light bleeding. If pregnancy does occur, or if you are already pregnant, there is no risk to the developing fetus.
• QWhen should I take Emergency Contraception ('the morning-after pill')?

  2 Answers

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  A Boston Women's Health Book Collective , Administration, answered

  If you have unprotected sex and are worried about getting pregnant, you can take medication to help prevent conception.

  This pill, which contains large concentrations of hormones, is available from hospital emergency rooms and clinics. It is best to take the morning-after pill within seventy-two hours of having unprotected sex.

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• QWhat are the different types of emergency contraceptives?

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  A Portsmouth Regional Hospital answered

  There are two types of emergency contraceptives:

  Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) Intrauterine device (IUD) Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs)
  

  With ECPs, higher doses of the same hormones found in regular birth control pills prevent pregnancy by keeping the egg from leaving the ovary or keeping the sperm from joining the egg. While it is possible that ECPs might work by keeping a fertilized egg from attaching to the uterus, the most up-to-date research suggests that ECPs do not work in this way. In the United States, there is only one FDA-approved pill that is specially made to be used as an ECP. It is called Plan B. However, when used in a certain way, some regular birth control pills also can be used as ECPs.

  Plan B — Plan B is a progestin-only ECP. It is made for use as emergency contraception. Plan B is like progestin-only birth control pills, but contains higher levels of the hormone. The instructions for Plan B say to take the two pills 12 hours apart. But research has shown that taking both pills at the same time works just as well and does not increase side effects. Higher dose of regular birth control pills — The number of pills in a dose is different for each pill brand, and not all brands can be used for emergency contraception. The pills are taken in 2 doses (1 dose right away, and the next dose 12 hours later). Always use the same brand for both doses, and be sure to use the active pills, not the reminder pills.

  You should always take ECPs as soon as you can after having unprotected sex, but they can work up to 5 days later. Women who are breastfeeding or cannot take estrogen should use progestin-only ECPs (like Plan B). Some women feel sick and throw up after taking ECPs. If you throw up after taking ECPs, call your doctor or pharmacist.

  Intrauterine device (IUD)
  

  The IUD is a small, T-shaped device placed into the uterus by a doctor within 5 days after having unprotected sex. The IUD works by keeping the sperm from joining the egg or keeping a fertilized egg from attaching to the uterus. Your doctor can remove the IUD after your next period. Or, it can be left in place for up to 10 years to use as your regular birth control method.

  This answer is based on source information from Office of Women's Health.

• QHow well does emergency contraception work?

  1 Answer

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  A Portsmouth Regional Hospital answered

  When used correctly, emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) work very well at preventing pregnancy. Consider that about 8 in 100 women who have unprotected sex one time during the fertile part of their cycle will become pregnant. If these 100 women take progestin-only ECPs (like Plan B), about 1 will become pregnant. If 100 women take ECPs with estrogen and progestin, about 2 will become pregnant. The IUD works even better. Only 1 in 1,000 women who have an IUD put in after having unprotected sex will become pregnant.

  The sooner you use emergency contraception after unprotected sex, the more likely it will prevent pregnancy. But you must use it correctly. For regular birth control pills used as ECPs, take the first dose within 3 days of having unprotected sex, but no later than 5 days. Take the second dose 12 hours later. For Plan B, both pills can be taken at the same time.

  This answer is based on source information from Office of Women's Health.

• QDoes emergency contraception have side effects?

  2 Answers

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  A Portsmouth Regional Hospital answered

  Some women feel sick and throw up after taking ECPs. Headache, cramps, and fatigue also can occur. Progestin-only ECPs cause fewer side effects than combined pills that also contain estrogen. The over-the-counter drug Dramamine 2 can reduce the risk of feeling sick and throwing up. Take two of these pills 30 minutes before taking ECPs. If you throw up after taking ECPs, call your doctor or pharmacist.

  IUD placement has risks of pelvic infection or harming the uterus. But these risks are quite rare. If the IUD is left in place to be used as birth control, it can cause side effects such as cramps and heavy bleeding during your period.

  This answer is based on source information from Office of Women's Health.

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• QCan emergency contraception protect me from STIs?

  2 Answers

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  A Portsmouth Regional Hospital answered

  No. Emergency contraception can only lower the risk of becoming pregnant after having unprotected sex. Always use condoms to lower your risk of getting a STI.

  This answer is based on the source infromation from the National Women's Health Information Center.

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• QAre emergency contraceptive pills and the "morning after pill" same?

  1 Answer

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  A Portsmouth Regional Hospital answered

  Yes. Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) are often called the "morning after pill," which is wrong because ECPs don't have to be taken the morning after. You should always take ECPs as soon as you can after having unprotected sex, but they can work up to 5 days later.

  This answer is based on source information from The National Women's Health Information Center.

• QHow can I get emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs)?

  2 Answers

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  A Portsmouth Regional Hospital answered

  You can get Plan B at drugstores and stores with a licensed pharmacist. The FDA recently approved Plan B One-Step for sale without a prescription. Plan B, another emergency contraceptive, is available without a prescription to women 17 and older. Ella, a third option, is prescription-only. Women and men must show proof of age to buy emergency contraceptives. If you need emergency contraception, you need to act quickly. Talk to your parents, your doctor, or visit a family planning clinic and ask for help.

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