Emergency Contraception

What is it?
Emergency contraception pills (ECPs), commonly referred to as "morning after pills," help prevent pregnancy after sexual intercourse. ECPs consist of doses of specific hormones, which should be taken within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse but may be taken within up to 5 days after unprotected intercourse. For most patients, this regimen is safe and 75-90% effective in preventing pregnancy. Emergency contraception pills are approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

What you should know:
There are 3.5 million unintended pregnancies in the United States every year. Half of these are the result of contraceptive failure. Many unintended pregnancies could be prevented if women had access to emergency contraception. Emergency contraception pills are not a replacement for consistent methods of birth control or an abortion. It is strongly recommended that, after taking ECPs, a consistent method of birth control be used.

Where can you obtain emergency contraception?
Student Health offers emergency contraception. To obtain emergency contraception, women can either stop by or call 893-3371 to make an appointment. At times when Student Health Service is closed, other pharmacies and/or clinics in the community may offer emergency contraception.

EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTIVE PILLS (ECPs)

Instructions for Use

Take the emergency contraceptive pills (ECP) as soon as convenient. It should be WITHIN 3 DAYS (72 HOURS) after unprotected intercourse, but may be up to 5 days after unprotected intercourse. The package insert instructions are to take the first pill followed by the second pill 12 hours later. New information is now available that states that you may take both pills at the same time if this is easier for you and it will be just as effective.

If you have any intercourse after taking ECPs, use condoms and spermicides until you get your period. Talk to your health care provider about other regular birth control methods you can use in the future.

Your next period may be a few days early or late. IMPORTANT: Do a home pregnancy test or see your health care provider if your period has not started within 3 weeks after ECP treatment. There is a risk that ECP will not prevent pregnancy and it will not terminate a pregnancy so it is important for you to get started afterwards with a regular method of birth control. Emergency contraception is not an appropriate ongoing method.

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