Am I Pregnant?: Myths and Facts About Sex

Emergency contraceptive, known as the morning after pill, is available without prescription for women and men ages 17 and older. It contains high doses of levonorgestrel, which is the hormone found in many birth control pills. It should be taken as directed up to 3 days or 72 hours after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. Examples of contraceptive failure include your partner’s condom slipping or braking and forgetting to take your birth control pill and having sex. Do not use emergency contraception if you are already pregnant, it will not work; if you are allergic to levonorgestrel; or as routine birth control. It works better the sooner you take it and should only be used in emergencies. After taking the pill, some women have changes in their periods; a heavier or lighter next period or a period that is early or late. Side effects include nausea, lower abdominal pain, fatigue, headache, dizziness and breast tenderness. If you experience severe abdominal pain, you may have an ectopic pregnancy and need to seek immediate medical attention.