Emergency Contraception: Your Backup Plan for Birth Control!
Oops! Had unprotected sex or a birth control mishap? No worries—emergency contraception (EC) is here to help prevent pregnancy before it starts. Let’s break it down in a simple, fun way!
What is Emergency Contraception?
Emergency contraception is a way to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. It’s not an abortion pill—it won’t work if a pregnancy has already started. Think of it as a backup plan, not your go-to birth control method!
How Does EC Work?
Most EC methods work by delaying or stopping ovulation (the release of an egg). If there’s no egg, there’s nothing for sperm to fertilize—so no pregnancy!
What Are My Options?
There are a few different types of EC, each with its own pros and cons. Let’s go through them:
- Copper IUD (Most Effective!)
- Works up to 5 days after unprotected sex
- Over 99% effective (pregnancy rate <0.1%)
- Also provides long-term birth control
- Requires a doctor’s visit
- Not FDA-approved specifically for EC (but still works great!)
- How it works: The copper stops sperm from moving properly, making it hard for them to fertilize an egg.
- Ulipristal Acetate (Ella)
- Works up to 5 days after unprotected sex
- More effective than Plan B, especially closer to ovulation
- FDA-approved
- Requires a prescription
- If using birth control, you must wait 5 days before restarting it
- Use a barrier method (like condoms) for 14 days or until your next period
- How it works: Blocks hormones needed for ovulation, stopping or delaying the egg from being released.
- Levonorgestrel Pill (Plan B, Take Action, My Way, etc.)
- Works up to 3 days after unprotected sex
- Available over the counter (no prescription needed!)
- Can restart birth control right away
- May be less effective in people with obesity
- Use a barrier method (like condoms) for 7 days
- How it works: Delays ovulation, so no egg = no pregnancy!
- Combination Birth Control Pills (Yuzpe Method)
- Works up to 5 days after unprotected sex
- Uses high doses of regular birth control pills
- Not FDA-approved for EC (and not commonly used anymore)
- Can cause nausea and vomiting
- How it works: Similar to Plan B, but with more hormones.
- Levonorgestrel IUD (Under Study for EC!)
- Works up to 5 days after unprotected sex
- Also provides long-term birth control
- Requires a doctor’s visit
- How it works: Thickens cervical mucus, making it harder for sperm to reach the egg.
What Else Should I Know?
- EC won’t protect you for the rest of your cycle—use condoms or another birth control method right away!
- EC is not as effective as regular birth control, so don’t rely on it all the time.
- If your period is more than a week late, take a pregnancy test.
- Some methods (like Ella) can delay your next period—so don’t panic!
Which EC is Best for Me?
- Most effective? Copper IUD
- Easiest to get? Plan B (OTC, no prescription needed)
- Need a prescription? Ella
- Want ongoing birth control? Copper or Levonorgestrel IUD