Emergency Contraception
(The Morning After Pill)

Definition
How it Works
How effective is it?
Benefits
Disadvantages
Risks and Side Effects
Who can’t take Emergency Contraception?
Emergency Contraception Options
How Emergency Contraception is prescribed
How to take Emergency Contraception
Important Notes
Emergency Contraception Hotline

Definition:
Emergency contraception (EC) is the use of Plan B, Preven, or birth control pills to prevent pregnancy after a contraceptive method has failed or because none was used.

How it Works:
If used within the first 72 hours after unprotected intercourse, EC probably works in one or more of the following reasons:
· Progestational hormones in the pills interfere with the sperms’ ability to travel up through the uterus and into the fallopian tube to fertilize the egg
· Estrogen hormones in the pills are thought to interfere with or disrupt ovulation (release of an egg by the ovary)

How Effective is it?:
If used within the first 72 hours after unprotected intercourse, EC is greater than 90% effective.

Benefits:
· Pregnancy prevention
· Inexpensive
· Relatively noninvasive

Disadvantages:
· Cannot be used by women who cannot use birth control pills
· Pregnancy may still occur
o Fertilized egg is already implanted in the uterus
o Too much time between unprotected intercourse and taking EC
o Failure of emergency contraception
· Best if used within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse

Risks and Side Effects:
Minor:
· Nausea and/or vomiting (take with food)
· Breast tenderness
· Irregular bleeding (period may be early or late)
· Headache
Major:
· Heart attack
· Stroke
· Blood clot
If you experience any of the following symptoms, associated with the above conditions, go to the Emergency Room
· Severe abdominal pain
· Severe chest pain, arm pain, or shortness of breath
· Severe headaches
· Eye problems such as blurred vision or loss of vision
· Severe leg pain (calf or thigh)

Who can’t take Emergency Contraception?:
· Active liver disease (mono, Hepatitis)
· Unexplained bleeding from vagina
· Already established pregnancy
· History of blood clots or inflammation of the veins
· History of cancer of the breast, uterus, or ovaries

Emergency Contraception Options:
· Plan B (progestin only, less nausea and vomiting)
· Preven (estrogen and progestin)
· Yuzpe method (use of birth control pills, certain types at specific amounts, may be more expensive)

How Emergency Contraception is prescribed:
· Pelvic examination as appropriate (to be determined by your health care provider)
· If rape or sexual assault occurred, go to emergency room for treatment
· Pregnancy test
· STD testing if desired or if recommended by health care provider
· Blood pressure check

How to take Emergency Contraception:
1. Take one dose within 72 hours of unprotected
intercourse (take about 20 minutes after eating)
2. Take the next dose 12 hours after the first dose
(again, about 20 minutes after eating)
If you vomit within an hour after taking the emergency contraception, call your health care provider (you will probably need to repeat the dose or the whole procedure)

Important Notes:
· Emergency contraception should not be used for just that- emergencies- and is not recommended for routine use
· Talk with your health care provider about methods of contraception you may be interested in for ongoing protection (some methods can be started immediately or the day after using EC)
· If you have not started your period within 3 weeks after the EC, return to your health care provider

Emergency Contraception Hotline
1-800-584-9911, 1-888-NOT-2-LATE