Emergency Contraception

ELLA
The newest form of Emergency Contraception in the U.S. is a one-pill formula available by prescription only. Completely effective for up to 5 days after unprotected sex — but taking it sooner is great too.

PLAN B ONE-STEP/ TAKE ACTION/ MY WAY
Available on pharmacy and other shelves, without a prescription. Similar to birth control pills, but at a much higher dose. Works up to 5 days after unprotected sex, but effectiveness decreases each day. If you want to use insurance to pay for it, take it to your pharmacy counter to purchase.

PARAGARD IUD
This is the most effective Emergency Contraception there is. Have a doctor insert it within 5 days of unprotected sex lower your chance of pregnancy by 99.9%.

SWEPT UP IN THE MOMENT
Maybe it was due to the influence of alcohol. Maybe you thought you could go without birth control just this once. Maybe you didn’t think about it at all. No matter the reason, if you didn’t use any protection during sex, but wish that you had, Emergency Contraception might be for you—as long as it’s been less than five days since that unprotected encounter.

YOU HAD A “WHOOPS” MOMENT WITH YOUR CONTRACEPTION
If the condom broke, or you forgot to take your pill, insert your ring, apply your patch, or if your diaphragm slipped—anything like that—you may want to take Emergency Contraception .

WITHDRAWAL GONE WRONG
Not pulling out in time, and using it as your only method are another reason for Emergency Contraception .

FOR SCARY SITUATIONS
Rape and sexual assault are situations no one wants to be a part of. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, or had sex with someone who refused to use another form of contraception and are worried about pregnancy, consider Emergency Contraception. For additional support contact the Dallas Area Rape Crisis Center or call the 24 hour rape crisis hotline at 972-641-7273.

KEEP SOME ON HAND
The sooner you take Emergency Contraception, the more effective it is. So it’s not a bad idea to keep a box on hand, just in case you need it.

EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION ISN’T A METHOD
you should rely on all the time—there are much more effective methods out there. But if you have unprotected sex, it’s the quickest and easiest “after-the-fact” option. Here are the different types you can choose from.

ELLA

• You need a doctor’s prescription to pick up ella at a local pharmacy. In some states, you can order it from an online pharmacy without getting a prescription first (they handle that for you on their website). There’s no age limit to access ella. Take the one-pill formula within 5 days after unprotected sex.

PLAN B ONE-STEP

• Works like birth control pills, but at a much higher dose and taken temporarily. Best used within 72 hours after unprotected sex. The newer version, called Plan B-One Step is available over-the-counter to all people It, is often a bit more expensive than others but is just one pill.

PARAGUARD IUD

• This is the most effective Emergency Contraception there is. If you get the ParaGard IUD inserted within 5 days after unprotected sex, it can lower the chance of pregnancy by 99.9%. You’ll need to make an appointment with your doctor or a local health center to have this procedure.

Remember: Use Emergency Contraception as soon as possible after you’ve had unprotected sex. The sooner you take it, the better—within 24-hours to three days is ideal. But Emergency Contraception will still reduce your risk of pregnancy for up to 5 days. (The instructions for Plan B and say to take it within 72 hours after sex, but studies show that Plan B, can be taken up to 5 days after sex.)

THERE ARE POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE THINGS TO SAY
about each and every method. And everyone’s different—so what you experience may not be the same as what your friend experiences.

THE POSITIVE
Positive “side effects”? You bet. There are actually lots of things about birth control that are good for your body as well as your sex life.

• Offers protection and peace of mind after a “whoops” moment


• Safe to use—people have been using it for 30 years


• Some Emergency Contraception options don’t have the same potential side effects as the pill, because you don’t take it continuously


• Even individuals who can’t usually use hormonal methods for medical reasons can use Emergency Contraception once in a while

THE NEGATIVE
Everyone worries about negative side effects, but for many people, they’re not a problem. And if you do experience side effects with Emergency Contraception , they’ll probably go away after 24 hours.

• Can cause upset stomach and vomiting


• Could cause breast tenderness, irregular bleeding, dizziness, and headaches


• Frequent use can lead to irregular periods


• Using birth control pills as Emergency Contraception (known as the Yuzpe Method) increases the likelihood of side effects (especially nausea)

*For a very small number of women there are risks of serious side effects. If you are concerned or experience severe side effects contact your healthcare provider.

EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION SHOULD NOT BE USED AS a primary method of birth control. If you’re having trouble using your primary method consistently, you may want to switch to a low-maintenance method like the IUD or the implant.

I HEARD EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION WORKS THE SAME WAY AS THE ABORTION PILL.
No. No. No. If you’re already pregnant (even if you don’t know it yet), Emergency Contraception won’t work. Emergency Contraception can only prevent a pregnancy from starting; it can’t stop one that already has. And if you accidentally take Emergency Contraception before you know you’re pregnant, it won’t hurt you or the pregnancy.

MY LOCAL PHARMACY DOESN’T STOCK/RUNS OUT OF EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION.
Emergency Contraception should be available at most pharmacies and health centers, but it’s probably worth looking into where it’s available in your area before going to get it. That said, we highly recommend always keeping Emergency Contraception on hand “just in case.” The sooner you take it, the more effective it is. And it’s a lot less stressful than running around town looking for some after the fact.

I’VE HEARD THAT EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION MIGHT BE LESS EFFECTIVE FOR ME BECAUSE I AM USING AN ENZYME INDUCER (SUCH AS DILANTIN THE ANTIBIOTICS RIFAMPICIN OR GRISEOFULVIN, OR ST. JOHN’S WORT).
Medications and herbal supplements that may make regular birth control pills less effective may also reduce the effectiveness of emergency contraceptive pills. So if you are using an enzyme inducer, it probably makes sense to increase the dose of Emergency Contraception. You should talk to your doctor about how much to increase the dose.

EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION MAKES ME REALLY NAUSEOUS.
To prevent nausea and vomiting, you can take the non-prescription anti-nausea medicine meclizine (also sold under the brand names Dramamine II or Bonine) an hour before taking the first dose of Emergency Contraception . Note that this might make you drowsy. If you end up vomiting within an hour of taking a dose of Emergency Contraception , contact your healthcare provider, they may suggest you take that dose again in case your body didn’t absorb the hormones yet.