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EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION (MORNING AFTER PILL)

What is Emergency Contraception ?

Emergency contraception can usually prevent pregnancy if you have had sex without using contraception, or think your contraception might have failed. There are two types of emergency methods you can use: Emergency pills - these must be started up to three days (72 hours) after sex. They are more effective the earlier they are started after sex. There are two different types of hormonal emergency pill: progestogen-only pills, which come in a packet of two pills and combined oestrogen and progestogen pills, which come in a packet of four pills. An IUD (used to be called a coil) - this must be fitted up to five days after sex.

How does Emergency Contraception work ?

The pills may stop an egg being released (ovulation), delay ovulation or stop a fertilised egg settling in your womb (implanting). An IUD may stop an egg being fertilised or implanting in your womb.

How effective is Emergency Contraception ?

Emergency contraceptive pills are very effective, preventing at least three out of four pregnancies that would have occurred if no emergency contraception had been taken. Emergency pills are more effective the earlier the first dose is taken after sex. Research shows that progestogen-only methods are more effective than using combined oestrogen and progestogen emergency pills. An IUD is very effective, almost 100%. It can also provide long-term contraception if you want.

What are the advantages of Emergency Contraception ?

Most women can use emergency pills. If you have had a blood clot (thrombosis) or if you have a bad migraine at the time, you may not be able to take combined hormonal emergency pills. You can use progestogen-only pills. An IUD may be suitable if you are too late to take emergency pills, do not want to or cannot take hormones, want to use the most effective method of emergency contraception or want the IUD as a long-term method of contraception.

What are the disadvantages of Emergency Contraception ?

With emergency pills, you may feel sick or be sick, although this is less likely with progestogen-only emergency pills. Taking the pills with food may help. The IUD is not suitable for all women. If you are at risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection (by having more than one sexual partner or your partner has other partners) you could get a pelvic infection. You may have screening tests done at the time the IUD is fitted and you may also be given some antibiotics to prevent this from happening.

How is Emergency Contraception used?

Emergency pills: Both types of emergency pill are taken the same way. The first dose (one pill if taking progestogen-only pills or two pills if taking combined pills) should be started as soon as possible after unprotected sex. The second dose is taken exactly 12 hours later. IUD: A doctor or a nurse fits a copper IUD in your womb within five days of you having unprotected sex, or within five days of the earliest time you could have released an egg (ovulation).

What to watch out for with Emergency Contraception?

If you vomit within two hours of taking the pills, speak to your doctor or nurse. They may give you extra pills and a medicine to stop you vomiting again. Or they may suggest fitting a copper IUD. You may be offered a check-up after you have taken the pills. If you do not get a normal period within three weeks or think you may be pregnant, do see a doctor or nurse to check that you are not pregnant. It is important to have a check-up three to four weeks after the IUD is fitted, whether or not you have had a period. If you are worried about anything to do with your emergency contraception see your doctor or nurse as soon as you can. See your doctor straight away if you think you are pregnant or have any sudden or unusual pain in your lower abdomen or if you have a light or delayed period. This is because there is a small risk of the pregnancy developing outside the womb (ectopic pregnancy). Although this is rare, it is serious. Can anything make it less effective? Emergency pills are very effective and should be taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex. They are most effective if the first dose is taken within 24 hours. They are most likely to fail if: you take the first dose more than 72 hours after unprotected sex; you vomit within two hours of taking the pills; you forget to take the second set of pills or take them late; you have had unprotected sex at another time since your last period; you have had unprotected sex after taking the pills. If emergency pills fail, they have not been shown to affect the pregnancy or harm the baby. It is rare for an IUD to fail when used as an emergency contraception method.

Can I use emergency pills regularly?

Emergency pills are not as effective as using other contraceptive methods regularly. If you do not want to become pregnant you should always use contraception when you have sex. But you can take emergency pills on more than one occasion – this is not dangerous. *Does emergency contraception cause an abortion? No, emergency contraception may stop ovulation or fertilisation of an egg, or stop a fertilised egg from implanting in the womb. Medical research and legal opinion are quite clear that emergency contraception (pills or an IUD) prevents pregnancy and is not abortion. Abortion can only take place after a fertilised egg has implanted in the womb. People who believe life begins when the egg is fertilised may not wish to use these methods.*