WHAT IS CONTRACEPTIVE?

Emergency contraceptive (EC) is popularly referred as morning-after-pill and often call the post-coital pill (PCP) by medical professionals. A woman can use emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy after having unprotected sex, or if a method of contraception has failed. There are two methods of emergency contraception:

1. the emergency contraceptive pill (the morning-after pill) For an image of morning after pill, please click here.
2. the copper intrauterine device (IUD)

Both of these methods are very effective at preventing pregnancy if they are used soon after unprotected sex.

HAD UNPROTECTED SEX?

Acting quickly and using emergency contraception after unprotected sex will usually prevent a pregnancy. The emergency contraceptive pill is available from:

• your doctor
• family planning clinic
• some pharmacies
• any genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic or sexual health clinic
• some hospital accident and emergency departments

COPPER INTRAUTERINE DEVICE (IUD)

The Copper Intrauterine Device (IUD) is a small, plastic and copper device that can be fitted into the womb by a doctor or nurse within five days of having unprotected sex. For a picture of IUD, please click here

The IUD stops sperm from reaching an egg and fertilising it. It is the most effective method of emergency contraception and prevents up to 99% of pregnancies.

Most women can use the IUD for emergency contraception. It is particularly suitable if:

•  you cannot or do not want to take hormones
• you are taking certain medication, such as epilepsy drugs
• you want to use the IUD as an ongoing method of contraception

EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTIVE PILL

The emergency contraceptive pill can be used up to five days (120 hours) after having unprotected sex. However, the sooner it is taken, the more likely it is to prevent pregnancy.

It can be taken more than once during your menstrual cycle, but does not protect you against pregnancy during the rest of your menstrual cycle and is not intended to be a regular form of contraception. Using the emergency contraceptive pill repeatedly can severely disrupt your natural menstrual cycle.

The emergency contraceptive pill does not protect against sexually transmitted infections. There are two types of emergency contraceptive pill:

1. Levonelle is the most commonly used. It can be taken up to three days (72 hours) after having unprotected sex, and is available free of charge on prescription or can be bought from your local pharmacy if you are over 16.
2. ellaOne is a newer type of emergency contraceptive pill that can be taken up to five days (120 hours) after having unprotected sex. It is only available on prescription and only recommended in women over the age of 18.

The effectiveness of the emergency contraceptive pill decreases over time. If it is taken within 24 hours of having unprotected sex, it prevents 95% of pregnancies.

Most women can use the emergency contraceptive pill, including women who are breastfeeding and those who cannot usually use hormonal contraception (such as the combined pill or contraceptive patch).

The emergency contraceptive pill should not be used as a regular method of contraception.

How effective is emergency contraceptive pill?

The effectiveness of the emergency contraceptive pill depends on how soon you take it after sex. Taking it within 12 hours of having sex gives the best chance of preventing a pregnancy.

The emergency contraceptive pill is:

• 95% effective if taken within 24 hours of having sex
• 85% effective if taken within 24-48 hours of having sex
• 58% effective if taken within 48-72 hours of having sex

How the emergency contraceptive pill works

The emergency contraceptive pill prevents the ovaries releasing an egg (ovulation). It also:

1. thickens the mucus in the neck of the womb, so it is harder for sperm to penetrate into the womb and reach an egg
2. thins the lining of the womb, so there is less chance of a fertilised egg implanting into the womb and being able to grow

Types of emergency contraceptives pill

There are currently two brands of emergency contraceptive pill available in the UK:

• Levonelle is the most commonly used emergency contraceptive pill. It can be taken up to three days (72 hours) after unprotected sex and is available free of charge on prescription or can be bought from your local pharmacy if you are over 16 years of age.
• ellaOne is a newer type of emergency contraceptive pill that can be taken up to five days (120 hours) after having unprotected sex. It is only available on prescription and only recommended in women over the age of 18.

Related articles: 

1. What you need to know about hysterectomy
2. Circumcision helps stop wart virus
3. Male circumcision for HIV prevention
4. Specific disorders of ovulation
5. Erectile dysfunction – Impotence
6. Chlamydia — a sexually transmitted disease
7. Infertility
8. Lessons on HIV and AIDS – Oral thrush
9. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and the menopause

You have permission to reprint what you just read. The only requirement is including the following footer with it…
”Article by allvitalpoints.com, visit http://www.allvitalpoints.com for more original content like this. Reprint permission granted with this footer included.”

Related posts:

1. Combined Contraceptive Pill
2. Contraceptive Patch
3. How combined oral contraceptive pills works
4. Who can use the contraceptive patch
5. Combined contraceptives interaction with other medicines
6. Contraceptive implants and injections
7. Can I get pregnant just after my period has finished?
8. Diaphragms and Caps