What Is Emergency Contraception?
Emergency contraception (EC) covers a number of methods designed to stop a pregnancy after unprotected sex, broken condoms or missed birth control pills. EC offers a backup option when you want to avoid an unintended pregnancy. It’s most effective if used right after sex.
The most common and effective types of EC include:
- Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs). These pills contain hormones that delay or prevent ovulation and include the plan B morning-after pill and the early option pill.
- Copper intrauterine device. This is a non-hormonal option that’s inserted by a doctor up to five days after unprotected sex.
Every one in nine women between the ages 15 to 44 in the U.S. have used emergency contraception at least once. For guidance on the safest and least dangerous use of emergency contraceptives, Dr. Felix Cohen, director and founder of Cohen Medical Practice (CMP) has years of experience in reproductive health and extensive training at top-tier hospitals.
His practice offers a full range of family planning and birth control methods, including:
How Do Emergency Contraceptive Pills Work?
Each of the two main types of ECPs prevents pregnancy after unprotected sex or accidental contraceptive failure. The morning-after pill has an active ingredient called levonorgestrel, which is a hormone similar to progestin. It prevents ovulation and must be taken within 72 hours after sex and is most effective within the first 24 hours.
The early option pill has ulipristal acetate that delays or stops ovulation by affecting the progesterone hormone. It can be taken up to five days after unprotected sex and is much more effective than Plan B.
Common things to keep in mind about both these pills include:
- Both are available by prescription.
- Both are 85 to 90 percent effective.
- Plan B may not be as effective for women with higher body weights, whereas the early option pill is effective across all body weights.
What Is a Copper Intrauterine Device (IUD)?
The copper IUD is a non-hormonal EC and a regular birth control method. It’s a T-shaped device made of copper and plastic. It’s inserted into the uterus by your CMP doctor. Copper IUD provides long-term pregnancy prevention as well as immediate contraception when necessary.
It prevents pregnancy through a process that:
- Stops fertilization by releasing copper ions that are toxic to sperm
- Allows it to be inserted up to 120 hours after unprotected sex
- Stays in place for up to 10 years and provides continuous contraception
Copper IUD is considered the most effective method of EC, providing 99 percent effectiveness. It has no active hormone in it, which makes it a good option for people who can’t use hormonal birth control methods. It also eliminates the need for any other contraceptive method after it’s installed.
When Can I Use Emergency Contraception?
If you’re taking birth control pills and you missed multiple doses, you may have to use emergency contraception. In cases of sexual assault, where protection was not considered, EC may help prevent an unintended and traumatic pregnancy. If your diaphragm or cervical cap shifts or fails during sex, you may have to use EC.
EC may be used in other situations as well, such as:
- If the withdrawal method was used but failed
- If your IUD has shifted
- If you missed your birth control shot of Depo-Provera
Don’t use EC if you’re already pregnant. If you use an ECP after its fixed time frame, it may not be effective. Repeated use of emergency contraception may lead to severe complications.
Additionally, some health issues make EC less appropriate, such as:
- Liver disease
- High blood pressure
- Hormone sensitive conditions
- Using drugs for HIV
What Factors Influence the Effectiveness of Emergency Contraception?
Several factors influence the effectiveness of EC. Most important is the timing of when it is used. The timing of ovulation also plays an important role, as EC works by delaying ovulation. If ovulation has already occurred, EC may not be very effective.
Other factors that may influence results include:
- Using certain medicines or herbal supplements
- Vomiting after taking the EC pill
- Having unprotected sex after taking EC
- Irregular periods
EC doesn’t affect your future fertility plans, and it can’t cause abortion if you’re already pregnant. Even though you may use it multiple times if your normal contraceptive methods have failed, it’s not recommended as it may lead to severe bleeding.
Are There Any Risks or Side Effects of EC?
Although EC is usually safe, using copper IUDs and ECPs carries potential risks and side effects, which may be mild and temporary, but you should be aware of before using it.
Common risks and side effects associated with ECPs include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Dizziness
The majority of risks are mitigated when you rely on the expertise of Dr. Cohen and his team of experienced gynecologists, but you must be honest about your sexual history. For example, your doctor may want to test you for sexually transmitted diseases because, if at the time of copper IUD insertion, there’s an undetected infection, it can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease. Contact Cohen Medical Practice today to learn about the best birth control options for you, now and in the future.