Emergency Contraception
Overview
Emergency contraception is an emergency dose of certain birth control pills that prevents the sperm from meeting the egg or prevents the egg from attaching to the wall of the uterus (also called "the morning-after pill"). The pills work because they contain hormones that can prevent pregnancy when taken in larger-than-normal doses. The first dose of pills can be taken within 3 to 5 hours of unprotected intercourse. The next dose of pills is taken 12 hours after the first set. Each dose is made up of 2, 4 or 5 pills, depending on the type of pill. Emergency contraception is not recommended as a regular birth control method. It should be 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 you forget your birth control pills 2 days in a row, you may want to consider using emergency contraception. It is also available to those who are forced to have unprotected sex against their will.
Emergency contraception must be prescribed by a health care provider. It is also available at many health clinics. You must call as soon as possible after having unprotected sex, since it is most effective during the first 72 hours.
Before you use emergency contraception, consider this:
It is legal and available if necessary and can be used if you are raped.
The side effects can be severe and are different with every woman.
Failure Rate
Perfect-use failure rate is 25 percent.
Side Effects
Nausea, vomiting, breast tenderness and headache.
IMPORTANT
This is not to be used as a birth control method! It is for emergency use only.
Effectiveness
A woman's risk of pregnancy varies from day to day during her menstrual cycle. Some teens may not have transportation to a clinic or health care provider available confidentially and as quickly as needed, so emergency contraception is not recommended for them. This method must be used as soon as possible, 24 to 48 hours after sex and up to 72 hours. High doses of hormones can make teens very sick (hours of vomiting).
You may want emergency contraception if:
His condom broke or slipped off, and he ejaculated inside your vagina.
Your diaphragm or cervical cap slipped out of place, and he ejaculated inside your vagina.
He forced you to have unprotected vaginal intercourse.
You forgot to take your birth control pill more than two days in a row.
You weren't using any birth control.
He didn't pull out in time.
Contact your health care provider immediately if you've had unprotected intercourse. Emergency contraception is not to be used as a method of birth control, and will not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
Member Comments
by DaniaSacksMarch on November 8, 2008 at 9:27 AM
I have worked with many teens who find that emergency contraception is a very viable option for them when they have engaged in unprotected sex and are concerned about pregnancy. Especially if a teen has lack of access to a clinic or other health care, EC can be a quick remedy to prevent pregnancy. I'm curious why in your article you state that EC is "not recommended" for teens.
/>
It's important to note, that while teens under 18 need a prescription, EC is sold over-the-counter to young people age 18 and up: "The approval by the FDA permits Plan B to be sold without a prescription to women and men as long as they are at least 18 years of age." (http://www.uspharmacist.com/index.asp?page=ce/105394/default.htm).
Hormones, as I understand, effect every differently. I'm curious about what research you've found that points to EC effecting young women more negatively than adult women (I haven't heard about this reaction from many of the teens with whom I work so I'd like to know more about it).
I agree that a healthier approach to pregnancy prevention, as well as STI prevention, includes education about latex barriers and conversations about readiness for sex.
by 22april on November 20, 2008 at 2:46 PM
Interesting article, but I think some points need to be straightened out. For one, in many States, Plan B can be obtained directly from a pharmacy without a doctor's prescription. Secondly, it is my understanding that as far as Plan B is concerned, it does not make sense that Plan B will cause an existing embryo to abort, contrary to what you imply is possible in your article. Indeed, the same type of drug that is in Plan B is given to some pregnant women to PREVENT miscarriage. Plan B is believed to prevent pregnancy by preventing ovulation. If ovulation does not occur, then pregnancy is impossible. This is why it is recommended to take it as soon as possible after a mishap. If you don't believe me, there is a public article on the JAMA website written by Frank Davidoff, MD and James Trussell, PhD that you may be interested in reading.