Just thought I'd start a thread on this topic as some ppl aren't too familiar with this form of contracetion. For those who have used it, feel free to add in.


Emergency Contraception

.. can prevent pregnancy after unprotected vaginal intercourse. It is also called post-coital or "morning-after" contraception.

... is available from health care providers, Planned Parenthood health centers, and other women's health and family planning centers.

... is provided in two ways

* emergency contraception pills (ECPs)

* insertion of an IUD

... is used only if a woman is not already pregnant from a previous act of intercourse. EC prevents pregnancy by stopping ovulation, fertilization, or implantation. It will not cause an abortion.

ECPs

ECPs contain hormones. Some ECPs are "combination pills" with estrogen and progestin - synthetic hormones like the ones a woman's body makes. Others are progestin-only.

Some clinicians review your medical history before they prescribe ECPs. Some may want you to give informed consent by signature or over the telephone.

How to Use ECPs

Combined hormone ECPs are taken in two doses, 12 hours apart. Progestin-only ECPs can be taken in one dose or in two doses, 12 hours apart. ECPs can reduce the risk of pregnancy if started within 120 hours after unprotected vaginal intercourse. The sooner they are started, the better. ECPs reduce the risk of pregnancy by 75-89 percent when the first dose is taken within 72 hours. ECPs will not affect an existing pregnancy.

Plan B is a brand of progestin-only pills designed specifically for emergency contraception. Certain other birth control pills can be used for EC. Several brands have been shown to be effective. The number of pills in a dose depends on the brand. Use the same brand for both doses.

With a regular 28-pill birth control pack, use any of the first 21 pills for emergency contraception. Don't use the last seven pills in a 28-day pack. They are only reminder pills that contain no hormones. With Enpresse, use only the orange ones. With Triphasil or Tri-Levlen, use only the yellow ones. With Trivora, use only the pink ones.

Swallow the pills in the first dose within 120 hours - about five days - after having unprotected sex. If you are using combined hormone pills, you may want to take a medication to reduce nausea, such as Dramamine or Bonine.

If you are taking the pills in two doses, swallow the second dose 12 hours after taking the first dose. If you threw up after the first dose, be sure to use an anti-nausea medication one hour before taking the second one. Or you may want to take the second dose as a vaginal suppository by inserting the pills with your fingers as high into the vagina as you can reach. (The medication will be absorbed through the vaginal tissue.)

If you vomit the second dose, do not take any extra pills. They probably won't reduce the risk of pregnancy. But they will probably make you sick to your stomach.

After You Take the Pills

* Your next period may be earlier or later than usual.

* Your flow may be heavier, lighter, more spotty, or the same as usual.

* If you see other health care providers before you get your period, remember to tell them that you have taken emergency contraception pills.

* Schedule a follow-up visit with your clinician if you do not have your period in three weeks or if you have symptoms of pregnancy.

* Be sure to use another method of contraception if you have vaginal intercourse any time before you get your period again.

* Continue using the birth control method of your choice for as long as you want to avoid pregnancy.

Side Effects

Side effects associated with the use of ECPs usually taper off within a day or two.

* Half of the women who take the combined pills feel sick to their stomachs, but only for about 24 hours.

* Fewer than one out of five women throw up with combined pills.

* The risk of nausea and vomiting is lower with progestin-only ECPs.

* Breast tenderness, irregular bleeding, dizziness, and headaches may also occur.

Frequent use of ECPs may cause periods to become irregular and unpredictable. The side effects of anti-nausea medication may include drowsiness. Please follow the precautions on the package insert.

Emergency contraception may not prevent ectopic pregnancy. An ectopic pregnancy is one that develops outside the uterus. It must be treated to prevent complications that may be fatal.

If you think you may have an ectopic pregnancy, get medical attention immediately. Signs of ectopic pregnancy include

* severe pain on one or both sides of the lower abdomen

* abdominal pain and spotting, especially after a very light or missed menstrual period

* feeling faint or dizzy

ECPs will not harm a fetus. Still, you should not use emergency contraception if you are pregnant.

How Well Emergency Contraception Works

* Combined ECPs reduce the risk of pregnancy by 75 percent if started within 72 hours. For example, eight out of 100 women will become pregnant after having unprotected sex once during the second or third week of their cycles. But only two out of 100 will become pregnant after taking ECPs.

* Progestin-only ECPs reduce the risk of pregnancy by 89 percent if started within 72 hours. Only one woman out of 100 will become pregnant after taking progestin-only ECPs.

* Emergency IUD insertion reduces the risk of pregnancy by 99.9 percent. Only one out of 1,000 women will become pregnant after emergency IUD insertion.

Timing Is Important

Timing affects how well ECPs work:

* ECPs work best taken as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse.

* The closer a woman is to ovulation at the time of unprotected intercourse, the greater her chances of pregnancy.

Emergency contraception is meant for emergencies only. ECPs are not as effective as the correct and consistent use of reversible contraception - the IUD, the Shot, the Pill, the Patch, or the Ring.

ECPs do not continue to prevent pregnancy during the rest of the cycle. Other methods of birth control must be used.

Emergency contraception offers no protection against sexually transmitted infections. You may want to consider testing for sexually transmitted infections if there is a possibility that unprotected sex put you at risk.

You May Want Emergency Contraception If

* His condom broke or slipped off, and he ejaculated inside your vagina.

* You forgot to take your birth control pills.

* Your diaphragm, cap, or shield slipped out of place, and he ejaculated inside your vagina.

* You miscalculated your "safe" days.

* He didn't pull out in time.

* You weren't using any birth control.

* He forced you to have unprotected vaginal sex.

Contact your health care provider immediately if you have had unprotected intercourse and you think you might become pregnant. Ask about emergency contraception.

u shouldnt just assume that without checking it out first... when u are desperate u will search high and low for it....

anyway, best is to play safe .. use condoms and/or birth control pills... morning after pills are just for emergency use.