MEDICATIONS: EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION

Emergency contraception is used to prevent a woman from getting pregnant after she has had sex without using birth control or if her current method fails.

About Emergency Contraception
Two methods of birth control can be used for emergency contraception. The most commonly used method is pills (also known as the “morning-after pill”). Birth control pills contain the hormones estrogen and progestin or, in some cases, progestin only. The progestin-only method is more effective and is less likely to cause nausea. The intrauterine device (IUD) also can be used for emergency contraception.

How It Works
Taken correctly, emergency contraception can be an effective way to prevent pregnancy. On average, about 8 out of 100 women become pregnant when they have sex without using birth control. Emergency contraception can reduce this risk by at least 75%.

Although emergency contraception is a good option for preventing pregnancy when a woman has unprotected sex, it should not be used on a routine basis.

How To Get It
If you are aged 18 years or older, emergency contraception can be bought in many places, including drugstores, without a prescription by asking the pharmacist. If you are younger than 18 years and need emergency contraception, call your doctor's office or go to a family planning clinic or hospital emergency room.

Side Effects
Some nausea and vomiting may occur after taking the pills. Your doctor may give you a medicine to prevent nausea.

Follow-up Care
Emergency contraception can greatly reduce a woman's risk of getting pregnant after having unprotected sex. However, there is still a chance you could become pregnant. If you take a pregnancy test and the result is positive, talk to your doctor.

Finally
Using birth control when you have sex is the best way to prevent unwanted pregnancy. Ask your doctor about a method of birth control that you can use regularly. However, if you do have sex without birth control, you can use emergency contraception. It is simple and safe. It can greatly reduce the chance of pregnancy after unprotected sex.