Emergency Contraception

Emergency contraception or the  morning after pill (MAP) prevents pregnancy by temporary changing your normal hormones.  This may happen before or after an egg is fertilized. If you have religious, ethical, or personal objections to ending a pregnancy, please consider these issues carefully before choosing the MAP. 

Plan B is the only  product approved by the FDA for use as emergency conception.  Treatment should be initiated as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse.  However, it may be prescribed up to 120 hours after the incident.  ECPs may reduce the risk of pregnancy after unprotected intercourse up to 89%. 

• there are no medical contraindications to (ECPs) emergency contraceptive pills, except pregnancy. If you are already pregnant than ECPs are an ineffective treatment plan.

Emergency contraception may be an appropriate option in the following circumstances:

• no contraceptive method was used when intercourse took place.
• a male condom broke, slipped, or leaked.
• a female condom, diaphragm, or cervical cap was inserted incorrectly, was removed too early, or found to be torn.  
• a woman  missed 2 or more combined oral contraceptive pills during the first week of a pill pack or was 2 or more days late starting as new pill pack.
• a woman is 7 days late in getting a monthly contraceptive injection.
• a woman is 2 or more days late starting a new vaginal ring cycle.
• a woman is 2 or more days late starting a new patch cycle.
• the couple erred in practicing coitus interruptus (withdrawal method) and ejaculation did occur in vagina or on external genitalia
• the couple erred in practicing periodic abstinence and intercourse occurred during fertile day of cycle

Disadvantages:

• nausea and vomiting
• menstrual changes-ECPs can cause spotting or change the amount, timing, and/or duration of the next menstrual cycle.
• MAP can not prevent every pregnancy. It greatly cuts down your chance of getting pregnant. But it doesn't always work.
• The MAP should be used as emergency birth control  only.  If you do not want to get pregnant, be sure to use birth control each time you have sex. Talk to your clinician about the option that best suits you and your partner.