ECP - Future contraception
An ECP does not give you any ongoing protection
against pregnancy. It is only for unprotected
intercourse in the last 72 hours. Talk to your health
professional if you need ongoing contraception.
Emergency
Contraception:
It is safe to take the ECP several times.
An ECP will not:
• cause an abortion if you are already pregnant
• harm a growing baby if it fails
preventing an unplanned
pregnancy
• affect your chances of getting pregnant later on
An emergency copper IUD
This is always a more effective method of
emergency contraception than an ECP. It is
particularly important that heavier women consider
an emergency IUD as the ECP may not be effective
for them.
It must be inserted within 5 days of the possible
fertilisation of an egg. You should talk to a health
professional about the timing for you.
You will be asked questions about your health and
then the trained health professional will put the IUD
up into your uterus. You will be told when to return
to the clinic for a check.
You can keep the IUD as your ongoing
contraception if you want to. It then works by
stopping the sperm reaching the egg.
© Written and produced by Family Planning September 2014.
IUD - What happens?
Family Planning provides confidential and
non-judgemental sexual and reproductive health
and education services.
For more information about Family Planning
resources, clinics and health promotional services
go to our website familyplanning.org.nz
familyplanning.org.nz
Are you at risk of becoming pregnant?
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•
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Have you had sex without contraception?
Has a condom broken?
Have you forgotten pills?
There are 2 ways you can prevent pregnancy.
THE EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTIVE PILL (ECP)
A COPPER INTRAUTERINE DEVICE (IUD)
Take one pill within 72 hours
Have IUD put in within 5 days of ovulation
About 98% success rate for women of average
weight (may not work for heavier women)
More than 99% success rate for all women
Can get this from doctor, nurse or pharmacy
Must be inserted by trained health professional
Works by delaying the release of an egg and
altering sperm transport
Works as emergency contraception by preventing
a fertilised egg from implanting into the womb
Need to take one every time
IUD can provide ongoing contraception for at least
5 years or can be removed after next period
Can have at home just in case
Contains progestogen, a very safe hormone
The Emergency Contraceptive Pill
An ECP works well for women of average weight.
However it may not work for women who weigh more
than 70kg. These women should consider having a
copper IUD inserted instead.
Tell your health professional if you are taking any other
medication because you may need extra ECPs or a
copper IUD.
How do I take an ECP?
Take one pill within 72 hours of unprotected
intercourse.
Some women feel sick after taking an ECP so it helps
to take it with food.
If you vomit within 3 hours of taking an ECP you
will have to get another.
Emergency Contraception
ECP - What happens next?
Your next period will probably come at the expected
time or it may be early or late. If:
• you do not get your period at all
• your period is very light
• you are worried that you may be pregnant,
then:
You should have a pregnancy test 3 to 4 weeks after
you had the ECP………..
This is a urine test. It can be done at home, a Family
Planning clinic or a doctor’s surgery.
There is a very small risk of an ectopic pregnancy
(pregnancy outside the womb) if the ECP fails. This
can occur with any pregnancy and can be dangerous.
If you experience unusual cramping pain or vaginal
bleeding you must see a doctor or return to the Family
Planning clinic.
familyplanning.org.nz