If the answer is “yes” to any of the above questions, you should know about emergency contraceptive pills.
Emergency contraception is pregnancy prevention after unprotected sex, suspected contraceptive failure, or rape. Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) are two large doses of ordinary birth control pills which may be taken within 120 hours after unprotected intercourse to avoid becoming pregnant. 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
WHAT ARE THE 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.
Seasonale, Levlen, Lo-Ovral, Nordette, Cryselle, Portia, 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.
WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES?
- ECPs prevent unwanted pregnancies after forced intercourse, a mistake, or a condom breakage.
- Women who can’t take birth control pills on a regular basis can still use ECPs.
- ECPs prevent abortions and cost less than an abortion.
- They can be obtained and left in your medicine cabinet in case of an emergency such as condom breakage or forced sex.
- It is not dangerous to use emergency contraceptive pills more than once, but it is better to find an ongoing method of contraception that you will use consistently and correctly.
- In Washington, California, Hawaii, Alaska and New Mexico, ECPs are avilable over the counter without a perscription.
WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES?
- Plan B pills cause nausea (in about 25% of women) or vomiting (in about 10% of women). Nausea may be prevented by taking a Dramamine pill one hour before each dose of emergency contraceptive pills, but most clinicians provide Plan B with no anit-nausea meds.
- 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 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.
- The total cost of getting ECPs may be as much as $45 to over $100.
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 put in so you won't become pregnant? Emergency postcoital insertion of the Copper T 380 A IUD (ParaGard) is the most effective currently available postcoital contraceptive. Not all clinicians know about this. If you want more information or would like the phone numbers of clinicians near you that prescribe emergency birth control, call the toll-free hotline (1-888) NOT-2-LATE. Some of these sources of help are free. PLAN B is the emergency contraceptive pill that causes the least nausea and the least vomiting.
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