How to Take Emergency Birth Control

Uh-oh. Whether your condom broke, you forgot your birth control, or you just got too caught up in the moment, unprotected sex can happen. Don't beat yourself up, but do take steps to keep yourself from becoming pregnant if this isn't a good time for a baby. Even after the fact, you still have birth control options. Emergency contraception, often called EC, emergency birth control or the "morning after pill," can prevent pregnancy if you take it within 5 days of your unprotected sexual encounter. Don't panic, take action.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A prescription from your physician (only if you're under 18)

1. Know how emergency contraception, or EC, works. The hormones in EC work in two ways. First, the hormones prevent ovulation from occurring. (If your ovaries don't release an egg, you can't become pregnant.) Secondly, the hormones cause the cervical mucus to thicken and become inhospitable to sperm. (If the sperm can't make it through the mucus, you can't become pregnant.) There are some people who claim that another way EC prevents pregnancy is by keeping fertilized eggs from implanting in the uterus. However, there has never been any scientific proof of that, and there may never be. There are also people who falsely believe that EC causes abortions. This isn't the case--EC prevents pregnancy, rather than ending it.It is also possible to prevent pregnancy by having an intrauterine device (IUD) inserted within 5 days of unprotected sex.

2. Understand that the risks involved in taking emergency contraception are minimal. Unlike an ongoing prescription for birth control pills, EC is only taken when absolutely necessary. The hormones leave your body much more quickly during these isolated instances than they do when you're taking birth control every day.

3. Be warned--EC is not as effective as many other birth control options. Emergency contraception can reduce your chance of getting pregnant by about 74 to 89% if you begin taking the pills as soon as possible. This is much less than other methods such as condoms, diaphragms and birth control pills, so it's important that EC only be used for backup birth control. IUD insertion as emergency contraception has an effectiveness rate of almost 99.9%.

4. Get the pills. You can use either Plan B (the brand-name emergency contraception pill) or some brands of regular birth control pills. Your doctor or pharmacist should be able to advise you about which brand would be best.If you are over 18, you can purchase EC over-the-counter. This means you do not need a prescription for EC, although you may have to ask the pharmacist for it. It is your legal right to purchase EC, but be aware that you may have trouble in some areas. If you find that you are having difficulty obtaining emergency contraception, call your closest branch of Planned Parenthood--they will help you. If you are under 18, you need a prescription for EC. You will probably need to visit your health professional.For IUD insertion as emergency contraception, you will need to call a health professional and make an appointment. An office visit will be required.

5. Remember, the sooner you start taking EC, the more effective it is. Take your first dose as soon as you possibly can. If you are using Plan B, you can either take both doses at once, or take one dose immediately and then take the second one 12 hours later. It's up to you which way to go. If you will be taking birth control pills as emergency contraception, you will need to take 2 doses spaced 12 hours apart. The number of pills per dose varies by pill brand. Planned Parenthood offers a helpful chart (see Resources below). Take your first dose as soon as you can, and the second one 12 hours after that (an hour early or late probably doesn't matter).

6. Contact a health professional if you vomit within an hour of taking either dose of emergency contraception. You may have to repeat the dose. You also may want to consider taking some anti-nausea medication to reduce your chances of throwing up again.

7. Expect some slightly unpleasant side effects. Emergency contraception often can make you feel queasy or nauseous (again, call your doctor if you throw up within an hour of taking a dose), but the symptoms usually go away in a day or two. If you had an IUD inserted, you may experience cramping and some breakthrough bleeding or spotting. Talk with your health professional about any symptoms that concern you.

8. Understand that your next menstrual period may be a little different. It may be heavier or lighter than usual, and it may be a few days early or late. If you don't get your period around when you expected it, take a pregnancy test.

Tips & Warnings

• Want to be prepared for the unexpected? Have a pack of EC on-hand so you can take a dose right when you need it. Pick some up next time you're at the drugstore, or talk with your doctor about writing you a prescription if you're under 18.
• If the emergency contraception doesn't work for you, it doesn't mean there will be something "wrong" with the baby. EC is just birth control, and birth control has not been shown to cause an increase in any kind of birth defects. Talk with your doctor.
• Don't forget, the earlier you begin taking emergency contraception, the better!
• Talk with your health professional about any concerns you have.

Resources

• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services EC Q&A page
• not-2-late
• PlanB
• Planned Parenthood morning after pill chart

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[velosity]

on 8/11/2009 Excellent article. Very thorough, very professional!