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Emergency Contraception
You can prevent pregnancy after intercourse by taking Emergency Contraceptive pill (also known as the Morning After Pill or EC). The most common is brand name “Plan B One Step.”
Plan B, the one-step Emergency Contraception (EC) Pill, works by giving the body a short, high, burst of synthetic hormones. This disrupts hormone patterns needed for pregnancy. Plan B affects the ovaries and the development of the uterine lining, making pregnancy less likely. Depending upon where the woman is in her menstrual cycle, the hormones prevent pregnancy in different ways. It prevents ovulation (the egg leaving the ovary and moving into the fallopian tube). It blocks the hormones needed for the egg to be able to be fertilized. It may affect the lining of the uterus and alters sperm transport which prevents sperm from meeting the egg and fertilizing it. |
EC may be effective up to 120 hours (5 days) after intercourse. But, it is most effective within the first 24 hours. Emergency Contraception reduces the risk of pregnancy by 75 - 89%. EC does not protect against reproductive tract infections, including HIV/AIDS.
Use • Your Health • Side Effects • Danger Signs • Future Fertility
Access • Advantages • Disadvantages • More Info • PDF Version
Use
Take as soon as possible and within 120 hours of unprotected intercourse. EC (plan B) may
be taken after 120 hours, but its effectiveness is much lower.
If you vomit within a half hour, it might not work and you should take another dose. You might want to take it with food and some anti-nausea medication.
How Well Does It Work?
Emergency contraception is much less effective than methods of birth control you use before sex such as condoms or birth control pills. But if a woman has had sex without protection, emergency contraception significantly lowers her chances of getting pregnant.
What to Expect
After using Emergency Contraception, your next menstrual period should begin within 2 to 4 weeks. If you don’t have a full, normal period within 4 weeks you might be pregnant and should have a pregnancy test.
Starting birth control after Plan B
You can start using birth control the same day you take EC. If you are using the pill, patch or vaginal ring, their hormones can give you bleeding much like a normal period, even if you are pregnant. It’s a good idea to get a pregnancy test 2 to 4 weeks after using Plan B.
Warning
Plan B cannot prevent an ectopic pregnancy, which is when a fertilized egg attaches and grows outside the uterus. This can be very dangerous and requires immediate medical attention. Signs of ectopic pregnancy are: pain especially in the lower abdomen or shoulder, dizziness and nausea. Find more about treatment for Ectopic Pregnancy at http://www.ectopic.org.uk.
Prescription birth control pills work for Emergency Contraception
Plan B is one brand of EC. It has two progesterone pills.
If you can’t get Plan B, use prescription birth control pills instead. They are less effective and cause more nausea and vomiting. It is important to take the exact number of pills recommended. Take the first dose as soon as you get the pills. Take the second dose 12 hours later. If possible, take with food. See dosages below:
Some birth control packages have several different colors.It is important to take the exact color on this chart. Brands not listed have not been tested for their effectiveness.
|
1st Dose - Take within 120 hours of intercourse |
2nd Dose - Take 12 hours after 1st dose |
| Plan B - Specially designed for use as EC |
1 pill |
1 pill |
| Regular Birth Control Pills |
1st Dose - Take within 72 hours of intercourse |
2nd Dose - Take 12 hours after 1st dose |
| Alesse |
5 pink pills |
5 pink pills |
| Levlen |
4 orange pills |
4 orange pills |
| Levlite |
5 pink pills |
5 pink pills |
| Levora |
4 white pills |
4 white pills |
| Lo-Ovral |
4 white pills |
4 white pills |
| Nordette |
4 orange pills |
4 orange pills |
| Ovral |
2 white pills |
2 white pills |
| Ovrette |
20 pills (take within 48 hours of intercourse) |
20 pills more |
| Tri-Levlen |
4 yellow pills |
4 yellow pills |
| Trivora |
4 pink pills |
4 pink pills |
| Triphasil |
4 yellow pills |
4 yellow pills |
NOTE-1: For other pill combinations, see: www.not-2-late.com
NOTE-2: Just like Plan B, they have not been fully tested for their effect on pregnancy and breastfeeding, but they are believed to be safe. Just like Plan B, they do not always work and you could get pregnant.
After taking EC
Your usual period should begin within 2 or 3 weeks. After two weeks, you can take a pregnancy test. If your period does not come within 3 weeks or if you are pregnant, visit your clinic.
To start taking birth control pills after using EC:
Start a new pack of pills on the first day of your menstrual period or on the Sunday after the first day of your period. Take one pill every day.
Side effects are rare with Plan B but they can happen. They include nausea, vomiting, headaches, breast tenderness, dizziness, fluid retention, abdominal pain and irregular bleeding. If they don’t go away after 1 to 2 days, you should seek medical care.
EC does not harm an established pregnancy. It acts on the uterus and cannot prevent an ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg attaches and grows outside the uterus. This can be very dangerous and requires immediate medical attention. To protect your health, watch out for the EC danger signs.
Danger Signs
Women who experience any of the following symptoms while taking EC should call the clinic immediately:
Abdominal pains (severe)
Chest pain or shortness of breath
Headaches (severe)
Eye problems, such as blurred vision
Severe leg or arm pain or numbness
EC does not prevent future pregnancies and is less effective than other methods of birth control. If you want to prevent future pregnancies, condoms and spermicide are easily available options. You can buy them over-the-counter and you don't have to wait for the start of your next period.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Studies have not been done on the effect of Plan B on pregnancy and breastfeeding. Birth control pills with the same chemical have been used for many years and have not caused problems. However, the amount of the hormone in Plan B is more than the amount in a birth control pill. No problems have shown up in women who have gotten pregnant or breastfed while taking Plan B. Plan B will not end an existing pregnancy.
Access & Availability
Plan B is available behind the counter at most pharmacies. Women and men 17 years old and older do not need a prescription, but you do need to buy it at the pharmacy counter and will be expected to show identification to prove your age. Men can purchase Plan Bfor theirpartners.
Women and men under 17 usually need a prescription. You can call your doctor or other local health care provider to see if they will call in a prescription for you to a pharmacy.
In Alaska, California, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico, Vermont and Washington State if you are under 17, you can get Plan B from many pharmacies without a clinic visit. You can call ahead to make sure the pharmacist on duty is trained to dispense Plan B.
Keep Pills On Hand!
Go ahead - ask your doctor, pharmacist or clinic to give you the pills or the prescription ahead of time. Then you'll have Plan B before you need it.
Pharmacy Denial?
It may be illegal for a pharmacy to refuse to give you Plan B. If this happens to you, please report it immediately to Legal Voice at 206-682-9552 or to Cedar River Clinics at 206-399-8401 or info AT cedarriverclinics.org.
Advantages
- Can be used after intercourse.
- Easily available if you are 17 or older.
- Can get ahead of time.
- Easy to use.
Disadvantages
- Does not protect against sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS.
- Less effective than other birth control methods
- Must be taken within 120 hours of unprotected vaginal intercourse.
- Need prescription if you are under 17 years old, but in the state of Washington and several other states you can get the prescription at the pharmacy when you go to buy the pill.
When you need EC - call ahead to make sure your local pharmacy has EC in stock. Please notify Cedar River Clinics if a pharmacy denies you a prescription for Plan B or any other prescription.
IUD for Emergency Contraception
Within one week of unprotected intercourse, an Intrauterine Device (IUD) can be used to prevent pregnancy. An IUD is a small device that is inserted through the cervix and placed in the uterus. Copper IUDs affect the uterine lining, making the uterus hostile to sperm and preventing fertilization and implantation. Getting an IUD requires a clinic visit. Call your health provider for more information.
Get Emergency Contraception Now
- You can get the pills for free if you are low-income. In WA State, you must sign up for Take Charge to get Plan B pills for free.
- Plan B - including a list of pharmacies that carry it.
Further References
Emergency contraception gives women a second chance to prevent pregnancy.
March 4, 2010
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