Emergency contraception

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Birth control methods

Hormone-based contraceptives

Intrauterine device

Side sectional view of female reproductive system

Emergency contraception is a method of birth control that can be used within 3 days of sexual intercourse.

Morning-after pill; Postcoital contraception; Birth control - emergency; Plan B; Preven

Emergency contraception is a method to prevent pregnancy in women who have had unprotected sex. It can be used following many different situations including rape, unplanned acts of intercourse, or when a birth control method fails. For example, if a condom breaks, a diaphragm slips out of place, or a woman forgets to take birth control pills.

Emergency contraception drugs are not the same as the "abortion pill." A woman who knows she is pregnant takes the abortion pill with the intent to end an early pregnancy (usually 4 to 7 weeks after conception). Emergency contraception pills are taken after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy from occurring.

Unlike most types of birth control, which must be put in place or taken before intercourse, emergency contraception can be used up to 3 days after intercourse.

TYPE OF EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION

Several types of emergency contraception drugs are available.

Birth control pills can be used for emergency contraception. You must take two to five "regular" pills together to equal one dose of emergency contraception.

Two drugs are specifically FDA-approved for emergency contraception. They are similar to birth control pills, but contain higher levels of hormones. Plan B contains levonorgestrel and Preven contains levonorgestrel and ethinyl estradiol.

The first dose of emergency contraception pills can be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected intercourse. The second dose is taken 12 hours after the first. These drugs work the best when taken as soon as possible after intercourse.

Emergency contraceptive drugs work by preventing or delaying the release of an egg (ovulation). They may also slow egg or sperm movement in the fallopian tubes and may make it harder for an embryo to stick to the lining of the uterus.

An intrauterine device (IUD) may help prevent against contraception if put into place within 5 days after unprotected intercourse. An IUD is a birth control device that is inserted into a woman's uterus by a health care provider. However, IUDs are intended to provide long-term birth control for 1-10 years.