Emergency Contraception (EC) or Plan B or "the morning-after pill"
Emergency Contraceptive Pills (ECPs) aka Plan B or "the morning-after pill"
FAQ--Frequently Asked Questions
What is emergency contraception?
How does it work?
When should I take it?
Are ECPs safe?
Do they have side effects?
What should I do if I need emergency contraception?
Do ECPs prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?
Are ECPs the same as Mifeprex (RU-486), the abortion pill?
How should I take them?
Can ECPs be used as a regular form of birth control?
What is emergency contraception?
Also called "Plan B" and "the morning-after pill," emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) work best when taken within 72 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse. ECPs can reduce a woman's risk of becoming pregnant by up to 95 percent.
How does it work?
ECPs are ordinary birth control pills taken in a different dose and on a different schedule. The hormone in the pills is progestin, which is contained in regular birth control pills. ECPs provide a short burst of hormone exposure. This disrupts the hormone patterns that are essential for pregnancy. Hormone release from the ovaries is reduced, and the development of the uterine lining is disturbed. The disruptions are temporary, lasting only a few days. It is important to note that ECPs do not cause abortion because they will not interrupt an already established pregnancy.
When should I take it?
ECPs should be taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex. If you had unprotected sex more than 120 hours ago, you may already be pregnant and ECPs will not work. There is no evidence that taking these pills will harm the fetus if you decide to continue with the pregnancy.
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Are ECPs safe?
The use of oral contraceptive pills for emergency contraception has been declared safe and effective by the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Do they have side effects?
Some. 50% of women who use emergency contraceptive pills experience side-effects. These side effects seldom last for more than 24 hours and include nausea, vomiting, breast tenderness, fluid retention, dizziness, headache and break-through bleeding.
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What should I do if I need emergency contraception?
You can call the Emergency Contraception Hotline at 1.888.NOT.2.LATE or call Planned Parenthood at 1.877.811.PLAN. ECPs are also now available at pharmacies over-the-counter for those 18 years and older.
Do ECPs prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?
No. ECPs cannot prevent the spread of STIs such as HIV, herpes, chlamydia, syphilis or gonorrhea.
Are ECPs the same as Mifeprex (RU-486), the abortion pill?
No. ECPs prevent pregnancy. Mifeprex ends an established pregnancy. ECPs do no work if there is an established pregnancy and they will not harm the fetus.
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How should I take them?
Swallow the doses as soon as possible and no later than 120 hours after having unprotected sex (but ECPs work best when taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex). To reduce the risk of nausea, eat a snack or drink a glass of milk before taking the pills. Do not take any extra ECPs. More pills will not help but will probably cause more nausea. About one-third of women who use ECPs have temporary nausea. It is usually mild and should stop in a day or so. If you vomit within an hour after taking a dose, call your clinician. You may need to repeat a dose and you may need some anti-nausea medicine. There is a chance that you can still get pregnant, so use a form of birth control until your next period.
Your next period may start a few days earlier or later than usual. If your period doesn't begin within three weeks, schedule an exam and pregnancy test right away. If you think you may be pregnant, see us at once, whether you plan to continue the pregnancy or not. ECPs may not prevent an ectopic pregnancy (a pregnancy in the tubes or abdomen). Ectopic pregnancy is a medical emergency.
Can ECPs be used as a regular form of birth control?
As soon as you possibly can, begin using a method of birth control that you will be able to use every time you have sex. ECPs are not as effective as other forms of birth control. If you want to resume use of birth control pills after taking ECPs, consult your clinician. To protect yourself against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections as well as pregnancy, use condoms every time you have sex.
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