Most women can use emergency contraception. It includes women unable to take hormonal contraception, such as the combined pill and contraceptive patch. Females under the age of 16 can use it as well. You can use emergency contraception in the following situations – unprotected sex, concerns about possible contraceptive failure, incorrect contraceptive use, and sexual assault without contraception.
Who can use emergency contraception?
There is no age restriction; anyone capable of becoming pregnant may use emergency contraception when necessary. However, because it is not a usual form of birth control, you should use it only during an emergency.
Who can’t use emergency contraception?
Emergency birth control is an effective strategy to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. But it isn’t as effective as other methods, and you should not take emergency contraception as a regular birth control. Furthermore, even when used correctly, the emergency contraceptive pill might fail, and provide little protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
It is not suitable for everyone. Hence, emergency contraception should not be used in the following circumstances:
- Some specific herbal medications
- Some medications used to treat epilepsy (HIV or tuberculosis)
- Medications used to make your stomach less acidic (such as omeprazole)
- Some less commonly used antibiotics (rifampicin and rifabutin) 1
When should emergency contraception be used?
The emergency contraceptive pill is a medication you should use in an emergency. It is not the same as usual birth control pills or other forms of routine birth control methods. Use them when your birth control has failed or you are unable to use protection. Use it in the cases where:
- If you had sex without a barrier
- If the condom broke during sex
- If you forgot to take your birth control the day before or after sex
- If you experience non-consensual sex (rape)
How effective is emergency contraception?
There are two forms of emergency contraception – the emergency contraceptive pill and intrauterine device (IUD). These types of contraception methods are highly effective against preventing pregnancy when used correctly and within the recommended time frame, usually within 72 hours or 120 hours after unprotected sex. The most common form of emergency contraception is the morning-after pill, which contains either levonorgestrel or ulipristal acetate. The effectiveness of different types of contraceptive methods is as follows:
- Copper IUD: over 99% effective
- Emergency contraceptive pills: up to 95% effective when taken within 24 hours
- Progestin-only pills: up to 89% effective when taken within 72 hours
- Ulipristal acetate pills: up to 98% effective when taken within 120 hours
How to use the emergency contraception?
Emergency contraception can be administered in two forms: pills and intrauterine devices (IUDs). For emergency contraceptive pills, take the recommended dose as soon as possible after unprotected intercourse, following the instructions provided with the specific brand. It’s crucial to be aware of the time limits associated with each pill type (usually within 72 to 120 hours). Alternatively, the copper IUD can be inserted by a doctor within 5 days of unprotected sex, serving as both emergency contraception and ongoing birth control. Consult a healthcare professional or visit a clinic for further guidance on the most suitable option for you.
If vomiting occurs within two hours of taking emergency contraception, it is advisable to seek medical advice. A doctor will help you determine if another dose is needed. In the meantime, it’s recommended to avoid further vomiting by taking an antiemetic medication (if approved by a doctor) and consider using a backup form of contraception, such as condoms, until receiving guidance.
How does emergency contraception work?
The emergency contraceptive pills function differently to prevent pregnancy depending on where you are in your menstrual cycle. It prevents you from ovulating if you have not yet ovulated. This, in turn, would push back the ovulation cycle by preventing or delaying the release of an egg. If you’ve already ovulated, these pills produce an unfavourable environment in the uterus for fertilisation and implantation. If an ECP is taken three days (72 hours) after unprotected sex, it may be ineffective in preventing pregnancy after unprotected sex.
If you have passed the three-day time frame of ECP, you can use an IUD. You can get some IUDs within 120 hours (five days) of having unprotected sex. It is the most effective emergency contraceptive method out there. These IUDs work just as well on day one as they do on day five. 2 3
Do I need to take emergency contraception if I’m on the pill?
If you are taking your birth control pill consistently and correctly, and there haven’t been any missed doses, the chances of pregnancy are already significantly reduced. Emergency contraception is typically not necessary if you are on a regular contraceptive pill regimen. However, if you have missed pills or experienced vomiting or diarrhea that may affect pill absorption, consult your healthcare provider or refer to the specific instructions provided with your contraceptive pill to determine the best course of action.4
How many hours does emergency contraception last?
You don’t have to wait until the next morning to take the emergency contraceptive pill. These pills are most effective at preventing pregnancy when taken as soon as possible after having unprotected sex. You can use these pills within 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected sex.5
Does the emergency pill work immediately?
The sooner you use emergency contraception, the more it’s going to be! According to studies, if you use emergency contraception within 72 hours of sex, you have a 1% to 2% risk of becoming pregnant. What counts most is where you are in your menstrual cycle. If you have sex during the fertile days of your menstrual cycle, waiting several days to use emergency contraception may be too late. As a result, doctors advise using it as soon as possible after having sex. 6
Can emergency contraception fail?
If you take the emergency contraceptive pill right after having unprotected sex, it can be successful. But, it does not always work. The longer you wait to use emergency contraception, the less effective it becomes. A missed menstrual cycle is one of the most obvious signs that an emergency contraceptive pill hasn’t worked. Take a pregnancy test if your period arrives more than seven days (one week) later than anticipated. 7
Side effects of emergency contraception:
Emergency contraceptive pill side effects, which normally last only a few days, may include:
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Breast tenderness
- Bleeding between periods or heavier menstrual bleeding
- Lower abdominal pain or cramps 8
