September 15th, 2011 by Hasham

Emergency Contraception.

There are different types of emergency contraception:

* the emergency contraceptive pill, Levonelle
* the emergency contraceptive pill, ellaOne
* the emergency intrauterine device (IUD).

Emergency contraception can be very effective especially if you have an IUD fitted or if the emergency contraceptive pill is taken soon after sex.

You don’t need to use emergency contraception for the first 21 days after giving birth.
About emergency contraception

* Does emergency contraception cause an abortion?
* Where can I get emergency contraception?
* How do I buy Levonelle from a pharmacist?
* Can someone else get the emergency contraceptive pill for me?
* How will I know if my emergency contraception has worked?
* Am I protected from future pregnancy?

Emergency contraceptive pill – Levonelle

* What is Levonelle?
* Who can use Levonelle?
* What are the disadvantages of Levonelle?
* How will Levonelle affect my next period?
* Do I need to see a doctor or nurse after I’ve taken Levonelle?
* Can Levonelle fail?
* Can I continue to use other contraception after taking Levonelle?

Emergency contraceptive pill – ellaOne

* What is ellaOne?
* Who can use ellaOne?
* What are the disadvantages of ellaOne?
* How will ellaOne affect my next period?
* Do I need to see a doctor or nurse after I’ve taken ellaOne?
* Can ellaOne fail?
* Can I continue to use other contraception after taking ellaOne?

Emergency IUD

* What is an emergency IUD?
* Who can use an emergency IUD?
* What are the disadvantages of an emergency IUD?
* How will an emergency IUD affect my next period?
* Do I need to see a doctor or nurse after having an emergency IUD fitted?
* Can an emergency IUD fail?
* Can I continue to use other contraception after having an emergency IUD fitted?

Does emergency contraception cause an abortion?

No. Emergency contraception may stop ovulation, fertilisation of an egg, or a fertilised egg from implanting in the uterus (womb). Medical research and legal judgement are quite clear that emergency contraception prevents pregnancy and is not abortion.

Abortion can only take place after a fertilised egg has implanted in the uterus.
Where can I get emergency contraception?

You can get emergency contraception free from these places but they may not all supply ellaOne or fit the IUD.

* any general practice that provides contraceptive services
* a contraception clinic
* any young person’s service or Brook clinic
* any sexual health clinic
* some genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinics.

You can also get Levonelle free from:

* most NHS walk-in centres (in England only)
* some pharmacies (there may be age restrictions)
* most NHS minor injuries units
* some hospital accident and emergency departments (phone first to check).

You can buy Levonelle from:

* most pharmacies if you are 16 years old or over
* some fee-paying clinics.

Ask your doctor or nurse about getting emergency pills in advance, just in case you need them.

How effective is it?
If taken within 24 hours of unprotected sex, the emergency contraceptive pill will prevent 95% of pregnancies that could be expected if no emergency contraception were used.

Eighty-five per cent of pregnancies are prevented if the pill is taken between 25 and 48 hours after unprotected sex, and up to 58% of pregnancies if taken 49-72 hours after unprotected sex. The sooner it’s taken, the more effective it will be.

The IUD will prevent 99% of pregnancies.

Added benefits?

* If you use the IUD as emergency contraception, you can also use it as an ongoing contraceptive method.

What else should I know?

* When you use the emergency contraceptive pill it can make you feel sick, dizzy or tired, or give you a headache, tender breasts or abdominal pain.
* It can make your next period earlier or later than usual.
* There are no serious side effects.
* The emergency contraceptive pill ellaOne is a new method. It can be taken up to five days (120 hours) after sex and is only available with a prescription. For more information about ellaOne, speak to a doctor or nurse.
* There can be some discomfort when the IUD is put in. Painkillers can help to relieve this.
* If you use the IUD as an ongoing method of contraception, it might make your periods longer, heavier or more painful.

Emergency Contraception Overview

Emergency contraception (birth control after sexual intercourse) is the use of a drug or device to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sexual intercourse. Emergency contraception can be used when a condom breaks, if a diaphragm or cervical cap slips out of place during intercourse, after a sexual assault, or any time unprotected intercourse occurs. Emergency contraceptive pills are sometimes called the “morning-after pill,” but they are usually effective if taken within 72 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse.  

Emergency contraceptives available in the United States include emergency contraceptive pills, which contain the same hormones found in birth control pills, and the Copper T380 intrauterine device (IUD). Both the Preven kit and the Plan B kit are pills marketed as emergency contraceptive pills.
Emergency contraceptive measures can be taken within the first 72 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse to reduce the possibility of pregnancy. A woman is most likely to become pregnant if sexual intercourse occurs in the few days before or after ovulation (release of an egg from the ovary). Emergency contraceptives should not be used as a contraceptive method in women who are sexually active or planning to become sexually active. They are not as effective as any ongoing contraceptive method.