Emergency Contraceptive Pills
Even when women and men are being careful about preventing pregnancy, birth control can fail. Condoms can break, (especially if they are not used or stored properly), pills can be forgotten, and shots can be missed. Sometimes a woman may not have a choice about using birth control because someone forces or intimidates her to have sex. There is an option or second chance to prevent pregnancy and that is emergency contraception.
Emergency contraceptive pills or ECPs are a high dose of birth control pills that are taken as soon as possible after intercourse, preferably within 72 hours, but are still effective up to 5 days or 120 hours. If too much time elapses, they will not be able to prevent a pregnancy from happening. If used correctly, emergency contraception is 75% to 90% effective in preventing pregnancy. The sooner it is taken, the more effective it is.
Emergency contraception works most commonly by preventing the ovaries from releasing an egg. If an egg has already been released, emergency contraception may prevent fertilization of an egg by a sperm. Although unlikely, it may prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus. Emergency contraception is not an abortion. Once a fertilized egg has implanted itself in the uterus, pregnancy is established and ECPs are ineffective.
ECP is most commonly given orally in two doses taken 12 hours apart. Recent research has shown that both doses taken together, as soon as possible, is just as effective and eliminates the need to remember the second dose of pills. The most common form of ECP is a progestin-only pill called Plan B. Side effects are few and include:
- Nausea and occasionally vomiting
- Breast tenderness
- Menstrual changes
- Headaches
Your menstrual period should begin within 3 weeks of taking Plan B. If not, you should follow up for a pregnancy test. Emergency contraception should not be used by women who are already pregnant. A pregnancy test should be done first for women who have any unusual vaginal bleeding, are late for a period or who have missed a period. ECPs should not be used as a substitute for regular birth control as it is not as effective.
If you have had unprotected intercourse, you may also be at risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It is important that you be tested and treated. If you remain sexually active you should consider all your birth control options and use a regular method that you and your provider determine is best for you.
Emergency contraception is available at our clinic during normal clinic hours. You will receive ECP on the same day as your request. Walk-ins for ECP are accepted but it is best to call ahead to avoid waiting until a staff member is available. If you are unable to come in to the clinic, an assessment can be done over the phone and the pills can be mailed to you or a designated person can pick them up for you.
To request ECP or more information on ECP, STIs and birth control methods, contact our office, at 275 West Main street in Platteville, by calling 348-9766 or toll free at 1-877-449-7422. ECP is available at our clinic Monday through Thursday.
There is also a new toll free ECP hotline number for the State of Wisconsin sponsored by the Wisconsin Family Planning and Reproductive Health Association. By calling the toll free number you will be directed to the nearest ECP provider or have ECP prescribed over the phone and mailed to you overnight. The toll free number is 1-877-975-9858. This is not a 24 hour service. More information on ECP can also be obtained by calling the Emergency Contraception hotline at 1-888-NOT-2-LATE or visiting their website at www.NOT-2-LATE.com.
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