What is emergency contraception (EC) also referred to as the morning after pill?
Emergency contraception is a type of birth control that can be taken after unprotected sexual intercourse. It can be used after a condom breaks, after sexual assault, or any time a woman has unprotected intercourse.
How is EC used?
Emergency contraceptive pills are taken in two doses. The first dose should be taken within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse, and the second dose 12 hours later. They will be even more effective if taken within 24 hours of unprotected intercourse.
How does EC work?
Emergency contraceptive pills prevent ovulation and change the lining of the uterus or the mucus in a woman's cervix (the opening to the uterus). In other words they prevent a pregnancy from occurring.
Emergency contraception is not abortion. A pregnancy test is usually done to make certain that the woman is not already pregnant because EC does not work if there is an established pregnancy. There is no data to suggest that EC is harmful to an early pregnancy.
Is EC the same as RU486?
NO. Emergency contraception is not RU486 (mifeprex). Emergency contraception is used to prevent a pregnancy while RU486 is used to terminate an early stage pregnancy.
How effective is Emergency Contraception?
EC can reduce the risk of pregnancy by up to 95%. The earlier it is taken after unprotected intercourse, the more effective it will be. The close a woman is to ovulation at the time of unprotected intercourse, the less likely the method will succeed.
What some of the possible side effects?
Side effects from combination hormone ECPs can include nausea, vomiting, breast tenderness, fatigue, irregular vaginal bleeding, abdominal pain, headaches and dizziness may also occur.
For some women, EC may change the amount, length, and timing of the next menstrual period.
Important things to know about emergency contraception:
• Emergency contraception does not prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases including HIV.
• This method is for "emergency" use only. Regular use of a contraceptive method is much more effective than EC at preventing a pregnancy.
• Emergency contraception can fail. You should do a pregnancy test if your period does not come within three weeks of taking the pills.
