Emergency Contraception

Symptoms

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.
• 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?

• Availability in the United States. In 2006, Plan B (levonorgestrel) was approved by the FDA for nonprescription sale in pharmacies to women and men 18 and older in the United States. Subsequently, on April 22, 2009, Plan B was approved by the FDA for nonprescription sale in pharmacies to women 17 and older. It is only available by prescription to women under 17 years of age.
• Availability in Canada. On April 19, 2005 the Canadian Ministry of Health approved the sale of Plan B (levonorgestrel) without prescription in pharmacies in Canada.

See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one) If

• How to PREVENT a sexually transmitted infection
• MENSTRUAL PERIOD, MISSED OR LATE
• VAGINAL BLEEDING, ABNORMAL

Should I Call?

WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR

Care at Home

HOME CARE ADVICE FOR EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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%
4. Do I need a prescription for ECP's? No, you do not need a prescription.
   • Availability in the United States: In 2006, Plan B (levonorgestrel) was approved by the FDA for nonprescription sale in pharmacies to women and men 18 and older in the United States. Subsequently, on April 22, 2009, Plan B was approved by the FDA for nonprescription sale in pharmacies to women 17 and older. It is only available by prescription to women under 17 years of age.
   • Availability in Canada: On April 19, 2005 the Canadian Ministry of Health approved the sale of Plan B (levonorgestrel) without prescription in pharmacies in Canada.
5. 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
   • Their website has a lot of information on ECP: http://ec.princeton.edu/providers/index.html
6. Pregnancy test, when in doubt:
   • If there is any possibility of pregnancy, obtain and use a urine pregnancy test from the local drug store.
   • Follow the instructions included in the package.
7. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Pregnancy test is positive or if you have difficulties with the home pregnancy test
   • You become worse

And remember, contact your doctor if you develop any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.