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Updated visitor guidelines. You are here Home » Emergency Contraception. Top of the page. Topic Overview What is emergency contraception? Emergency contraception is a way to prevent pregnancy if: You had sex without using birth control. Your birth control method failed. Maybe you forgot to take your pill or get your shot, the condom broke or came off, or your diaphragm slipped.
You were sexually assaulted. Even if you were using birth control, emergency contraception can help decrease your chance of getting pregnant. What are the types of emergency contraception? Emergency contraception pills : Pills used for emergency contraception are sometimes called "morning-after pills.
The most common option contains a progestin hormone called levonorgestrel. Progestin is a synthetic version of the hormone progesterone. Another option is a medicine called ulipristal acetate for example, ella that affects the progesterone in your body.
Some birth control pills are also used. These often contain a combination of the hormones estrogen and progestin. If you already take birth control pills, you may be able to use the pills you have as emergency contraception. Talk to your doctor or check the websites listed below for the correct doses. It can be placed up to 5 days after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy.
How does it work? Emergency contraception pills work by preventing ovulation. The copper IUD for emergency contraception may prevent fertilization or implantation. Where can you get emergency contraception? How do you use it? Emergency contraception pills The pills come in 1-pill or 2-pill packages. You can take emergency contraception up to 5 days after unprotected sex.
Birth control pills as emergency contraception For most regular birth control pills, you take one dose of 2 to 5 pills as soon as you can. If you use birth control pills for emergency contraception, keep the following in mind: Birth control pills can cause nausea. Take an antinausea medicine such as Dramamine with the first dose and again 1 hour before the second dose.
If you vomit within 2 hours of taking the pills, call your doctor for advice. You may need to repeat the dose. Side effects may include temporary nausea, but otherwise, the risks associated with taking these combined emergency contraception are the same as those associated with daily birth control pills and are minimal. This means you will be able to find them on-the-shelf in the family planning aisle at your local pharmacy or drugstore.
Both brand name and generic progestin-only EC is 88 percent effective at preventing pregnancy if taken within 72 hours as stated on the label after sex and has fewer side-effects than daily combined hormonal birth control pills taken as EC. Is it difficult to remember to take it each day? Are you bothered by the side effects? Are you curious about other birth control options available? If you find yourself saying yes to any of these questions, it may be time to speak with your health care provider about another option long-term birth control method that is a better fit for you.
For more information about what birth control options are available, check out the Planned Parenthood website. If you are in an urgent situation, please visit our Emergency page to view a list of 24 hour support services and hotlines. All About Alice! Go Ask Alice! More research is needed to know for sure. An IUD could cause problems with the pregnancy. Author: Healthwise Staff. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor.
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To learn more about Healthwise, visit Healthwise. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. British Columbia Specific Information Birth control can help prevent pregnancy.
Top of the page. Topic Overview What is emergency contraception? Emergency contraception is a way to prevent pregnancy if: You had sex without using birth control.
Your birth control method failed. Maybe you forgot to take your pill or get your shot, the condom broke or came off, or your diaphragm slipped. You were sexually assaulted. Even if you were using birth control, emergency contraception can help decrease your chance of getting pregnant.
What are the types of emergency contraception? Emergency contraception pills : Pills used for emergency contraception are sometimes called "morning-after pills. The most common option contains a progestin hormone called levonorgestrel. Progestin is a synthetic version of the hormone progesterone.
Another option is a medicine called ulipristal acetate for example, ella that affects the progesterone in your body. Some birth control pills are also used. These often contain a combination of the hormones estrogen and progestin. If you already take birth control pills, you may be able to use the pills you have as emergency contraception. Talk to your doctor or check the websites listed below for the correct doses. It can be placed up to 7 days after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy.
How does it work? Where can you get emergency contraception? The nearest public health unit or family planning centre. How do you use it? Emergency contraception pills The pills come in 1-pill or 2-pill packages. Birth control pills as emergency contraception For most regular birth control pills, you take one dose of 2 to 5 pills as soon as you can. If you use birth control pills for emergency contraception, keep the following in mind: Birth control pills can cause nausea. Take an antinausea medicine such as Gravol with the first dose and again 1 hour before the second dose.
If you vomit within 2 hours of taking the pills, call your doctor for advice. You may need to repeat the dose. Be sure you take the active hormone pills. In a day pack, the first 21 pills contain hormones. The last 7 pills the ones you take during your period do not contain any hormones.
If you use day packs, all of the pills contain hormones. How well does it work?
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