Emergency Contraception Update, 2011
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You are scared about a recent sexual encounter, and wonder if you have a chance of pregnancy. Is it worth getting emergency contraception, or just hope for the best?
Emergency contraception pills (ECP) are an option for many women. Whatever the reason for your "pregnancy scare", you can use ECP within 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected sex to decrease your chances of unintended pregnancy. It is safe, effective, available without prescription for women (and men can purchase it, too) for those 17 and older in the U.S.
ECP is highly effective for a "last chance" pregnancy prevention. Depending on many variables, most reports "estimate effectiveness of ECPs (reduction in a woman's chance of pregnancy) are between 56% to 89%". (Trussel, et al.) Compared this to condoms at (up to) 98 percent effective, and birth control pills at 99 percent effective, ECPs are effective but are not recommended for frequent use because they are not as effective other forms of birth control pills (BCP).
ECPs have been proven safe for women. They also are safe for the fetus, as if you are already pregnant, they do not terminate a pregnancy. "ECPs will not work if a woman is already pregnant, and will not harm the woman or her fetus. There is no time when the emergency contraceptive pills available in the United States would end a pregnancy once it has started. Hormonal emergency contraceptive pills don’t have any effect if you are already pregnant." (Princeton University)
Similarly, ECPs and BCPs also have not shown to have any teratogenic effects (birth defects) if taken by women who are already pregnant.
You may have the following non-harmful side effects after using ECP:
- period that is longer in duration
- period that begins a week early
- period that begins a week late (we know...bad timing for a late period)!!!
- breakthrough bleeding (bleeding or spotting that occurs in-between period)
- nausea (resolves within a 24-48 hours)
- vomiting (if vomiting occurs within 2 hours after taking a dose, some clinicians recommend repeating a dose)
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
Add a Comment2 Comments
Hi everyone I need help, I have a question and hopefully someone could abswer. I had protected sex a day after I had my period. My period last a week but I don't have a normal cycle. After having unprotected sex I took plan b the morning after because my partner had came in side me and that same day I took the pill we had unprotected sex again and he accidentally came inside me again. A week after I start having real bad cramps and start my cycle again after I had already had it a week ago that had over happen to me I have 2 days of heavy bleading my breast hurts I get tired I grave. Could I be pregnant? Even if I am bleading. Should I take pregnancy test. Please help
September 24, 2011 - 6:35amThis Comment
hey what happened are you ok? I did research and it seems like the tiredness,cramps, bleeding, and even nausea are common side effects of the morning after pill.
January 26, 2012 - 7:39pm