EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION
Symptom Definition
- Seeking information about emergency contraception (“morning after pill”) after unprotected sexual intercourse
- Female patient
- Not pregnant
General Information
- Emergency contraceptive pills (ECP) are very effective in preventing pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse. Emergency contraceptive pills can reduce the pregnancy rate by 75-88%. They are also sometimes called "morning after pills". But you do not have to take them just in the morning.
- The sooner the pills are started, the better they work. The pills must be started within 120 hours (5 days) and ideally within 72 hours (3 days) of the unprotected sexual intercourse.
- The sooner the pills are started, the better they work. The pills must be started within 120 hours (5 days) and ideally within 72 hours (3 days) of the unprotected sexual intercourse.
- Emergency contraceptive pills are less effective than ongoing contraception in preventing pregnancy.
- Emergency contraceptive pills do not prevent sexually transmitted diseases.
- The typical cost of ECP is $20-30.
What are some situations in which emergency contraception might be considered?
- Not using any birth control method (unprotected sexual intercourse).
- Condom broke or slipped off penis
- Diaphragm or cervical cap was taken out too early
- Failed coitus interruptus (ejaculated inside vagina, or onto female external genitals)
- Spermicide was used alone during second or third week of menstrual cycle
- Missed more than 2 oral contraceptive pills, or started pill pack more than 2 days late
- Delay in getting scheduled contraceptive injection
- Sexual assault (not on oral contraceptive pill; no IUD)
Where can I get emergency contraceptive pills?
- Your doctor is the person you should contact first.
- Local public health clinic.
- Local Planned Parenthood office.
Do I need a prescription?
- In most places in the U.S. and Canada, you need to get a prescription in order to get emergency contraceptive pills.
- In the States of California, Alaska, Washington State, New Mexico and Hawaii, some pharmacies will provide emergency contraceptive pills, and you just have to talk with the pharmacist.
See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one) If
WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR FOR EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION
Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If
- You were forced to have sex (sexual assault or rape)
Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9am and 4pm) If
- You think you need to be seen
- You are under 18 years of age
- Unprotected sexual intercourse within past 72 hours (3 days)Age greater than 60
- Unprotected sexual intercourse within past 72-120 hours (3-5 days) (ECP is less effective)
Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If
- You have other questions or concerns
Self Care at Home If
- Unprotected sexual intercourse occurring more than 120 hours (5 days) ago, and you don't think you need to be seen
- Questions about emergency contraceptive pills
HOME CARE ADVICE FOR EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION
- General Information on Emergency Contraceptive
Pills (ECP):
- Emergency contraceptive pills are just for emergencies.
- Emergency contraceptive pills are less effective than ongoing contraception in preventing pregnancy.
- Emergency contraceptive pills do not prevent sexually transmitted diseases.
- How effective are ECPs? The following are
some example statistics for women having unprotected intercourse in
second or third week of their menstrual cycle:
- No ECP treatment - 8 out of 100 women will get pregnant
- ECP Treatment 72-120 hours after intercourse - 3-4 out of 100 women will get pregnant
- ECP Treatment within 72 hours after intercourse - 1-2 out of 100 women will get pregnant.
- Do ECP's have any side effects? Yes they do
- Nausea - 30-60 % of women
- Vomiting - 5-20 %
- Abdominal pain - 10-20%
- Fatigue and headache - 10-20%
- Change in menstrual bleeding onset or amount - 50%
- Emergency Contraception Hotline
- Managed by the Association or Reproductive Health Professionals
- Hotline provides information.
- Hotline provides phone numbers of ECP providers.
- Tollfree phone number: 800-584-9911
- Website: http://ec.princeton.edu/providers/index.asp
-
Internet Website with more information on emergency contraception:
- http://ec.princeton.edu/questions/index.asp
- Pregnancy Test When In Doubt: If there is any doubt about the possibility of pregnancy, then obtain and use a urine pregnancy test from the store.
- Call Your Doctor If:
- Pregnancy test is positive; or if you have difficulties with the home pregnancy test
- You become worse or develop any of the “Call Your Doctor” symptoms.
Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.
See Other Topics: