Emergency Contraceptive
What is The Morning After Pill?
The Morning after pill is a safe form of emergency contraception that only contains progestin. It is
used to prevent pregnancy up to 72 hours after unprotected intercourse; however, there is some
evidence that it may be used up to 120 hours (5 days), but that it may not be as effective. The
morning after pill is not intended as a method of birth control; it is for emergency use only.
When would I use The Morning After Pill?
The morning after pill may be a good choice for you if you have had unprotected sex within the
last 3 days and you do not want to become pregnant. The sooner you take it, the better it will
work. You should not use the emergency contraceptive pill if you have unexplained vaginal
bleeding or if you are already pregnant. The emergency contraceptive pill can be used in the
following situations:
•
Had sex without using birth control
•
A birth control method may have failed, including:
•
Condom broke or incorrect use of the condom
•
Not taking pills correctly (missed 2 pills, started pills late, contraceptive patch fell off etc.)
•
Diaphragm or cervical cap is dislodged during sex
•
IUD or IUS expulsion
•
Receiving contraceptive needle late
•
Failure to use a condom
•
In cases of sexual assault without reliable contraception
How does The Morning After Pill work?
•
Temporarily stops the release of an egg from a women’s ovary
•
Prevents the union of the women’s egg and the man’s sperm
•
Prevents a fertilized egg from attaching to the uterus
Where can I get The Morning After Pill?
•
The Clinic at the Middlesex-London Health Unit
•
A pharmacy – does not require a prescription
•
The cost varies depending where you get it
How is it taken?
•
2 pills that are taken at the same time as soon as possible following unprotected sex or
birth control accident
•
The sooner the emergency contraceptive pill is taken the more effective it is
Typical Effectiveness
•
95% effective if taken within the first 24 hours after intercourse
•
85% effective if taken 25-48 hours after intercourse
•
58% effective if taken 49-72 hours after intercourse
Common side effects
•
Nausea,vomiting and diarrhea. If vomiting occurs within one hour of taking the pills they
must be taken again
•
Spotting or irregular bleeding
•
Breast tenderness
•
Dizziness, tiredness, headache
Points to consider about The Morning After Pill
•
You should get your menstrual period at the expected time after taking the morning after
pill. If your period is one week late you should see a health care provider to rule out
pregnancy.
•
The morning after pill prevents pregnancy before it happens; it does not cause an abortion
•
It does not protect you against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or HIV/AIDS.
Consider getting tested for STI’s 1 to 2 weeks after having unprotected sex
•
The morning after pill is most effective when taken as soon as possible after unprotected
sex.
References
Sexuality and U. Emergency Contraception (Morning after Pill)
Retrieved from http://www.sexualityandu.ca/birth-control/emergency-contraception-morning-after-pill
Last modified on: May 6, 2013