Definition: Emergency contraception (EC) is an option that women can choose to reduce the risk of pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse or contraceptive failure. Emergency contraceptives have been available for more than 30 years and are a safe and effective method of contraception.
Also Known As:
- EC
- The Morning-After Pill
- Plan B
- Postcoital Contraception
Available Forms: Emergency contraception is offered in three ways:
- Plan B (progestin-only branded product)
- Oral contraceptive pills (either progestin-only birth control pills or combined oral contraceptives)
- ParaGard IUD (a copper-releasing intrauterine device)
How It Works: Emergency contraception contains the same hormones that are found in birth control pills. The exact mechanism of action is not clear. However, emergency contraception MAY help to reduce the risk of pregnancy by stopping ovulation, blocking fertilization, or by preventing the sperm to join the egg. The mechanism likely depends on where in the menstrual cycle a women is.
Who Should Obtain EC: Typically, women should obtain emergency contraception if there is a chance that pregnancy could occur due to contraception failing or unprotected intercourse.
Generally speaking, almost every female who needs emergency contraception can safely use it; this even applies to women who are not good candidates to use oral contraceptives as their main form of birth control. EC can also be used safely by adolescents.
A woman may want to seek out emergency contraception if:
- She miscalculated her “safe” days
- She did not use any birth control during sexual intercourse
- She forgot to take her normal birth control method (for examples, she missed a pill(s), did not insert her ring, or did not apply her patch)
- A condom broke or slipped off during sex
- Her partner did not pull out in time
- Her diaphragm, cervical cap, or shield moved out of place during intercourse
- She was forced into having unprotected intercourse
When Emergency Contraception Should Be Started: In order to reduce the risk of pregnancy, EC should be started up to 5 days (120 hours) after unprotected intercourse. The sooner it is obtained, the better the chances of preventing pregnancy.
Misconceptions About Emergency Contraception: Emergency contraception is not the same thing as an abortion. EC cannot end a pregnancy or affect an existing pregnancy. Scientific authorities are in agreement that emergency contraception reduces the risk of pregnancy and helps prevent the need for abortion.
- For more in-depth information about medical and federal viewpoints about emergency contraception: The Emergency Contraception (Plan B) Debate
How to Obtain Emergency Contraception: Plan B is now available over the counter for women over 18 and can usually be found at a local pharmacy. Other forms of emergency contraception can be obtained by prescription, so this would require an appointment with a doctor.
For those females under the age of 18, a prescription is also needed to purchase Plan B. As a precaution, those girls 17 and younger can inquire with their healthcare provider about obtaining a prescription for EC to have just in case an emergency occurs. This way, these girls will already have the prescription to use immediately and will not need to wait to get a medical appointment.
Effectiveness: In general, emergency contraception is meant to be a backup birth control method. It is not as effective as the correct and consistent use of other reversible prescription contraceptives. Additionally, EC does not continue to prevent pregnancy during the rest of the reproductive cycle, so other birth control methods must be used.
Two main factors influence the effectiveness of emergency contraception:
- The amount of time that has gone by since the incident of unprotected intercourse
- The point in a woman's cycle when she had sex.
Emergency contraception (all methods) reduces the risk of pregnancy by 75-99% when the initiated within 72 hours.
Costs: The cost for emergency contraception varies widely and depends upon the method sought. Total fees can range from about $10-$45 (for over the counter Plan B) anywhere up to approximately $400 (to obtain The ParaGard IUD).Side Effects: These, too, vary depending on the type of emergency contraception used. Women should discuss any major side effects with their healthcare provider as well as if experiencing any of signs of pregnancy after using emergency contraception. Some of the most common signs of pregnancy include:- Missed menstrual period
- Sore or enlarged breasts
- Nausea
- Frequent urination
- Unexplained fatigue
- Headaches
- Have had unprotected sex with infected partners
- Are victims of sexual assault
- Who use IV drugs or have a partner who does
