Emergency birth control

Emergency birth control (also known as morning-after pill, day-after pill, post-coital contraception, and post-coitum birth control) is a type of birth control that may be used by women who have had unprotected sex or used a birth control method that failed.

Types of emergency birth control

Emergency birth control methods include:

• Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs)—Sometimes simply referred to as emergency contraceptives, or the morning-after pill, these pills are taken after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy. There are two types of ECPs: ulipristal acetate (ella) and levonorgestrel (Plan B One-Step, Take Action, Next Choice One Dose, My Way).

• Copper intrauterine device (IUD)—This can be used as emergency contraception if it is inserted within five days of unprotected sex.

How it works

Emergency birth control works by preventing or delaying ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary), preventing fertilization (the joining of the egg and sperm), or preventing the fertilized egg from attaching to the uterus.

Effectiveness

The effectiveness of emergency birth control varies depending on the method used and how soon after sex it is used. In general, emergency contraceptive pills can reduce the risk of pregnancy by 75-89% if taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex.

Side effects

Possible side effects of emergency birth control include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, fatigue, dizziness, and menstrual changes.

Considerations

Emergency birth control is not intended to be used as a regular form of birth control. It is meant to be used as a backup method in case regular birth control fails or is forgotten.

See also

• Birth control
• Contraception
• Unplanned pregnancy
• Sexually transmitted infection

References

Emergency birth control Resources
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