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Emergency Contraception Pills available in U.S.A.

Emergency contraception is divided into three main categories

1. Dedicated Products / Progestin Only
2. Dedicated Products / Estrogen-Progestin combined pills
3. Oral Contraceptives used as ECPs / Estrogen-Progestin combined pills

1. Dedicated Products / Progestin Only

Plan B is considered to be the best "emergency pills", "morning-after pill" of "day-after-pill". It comes with two pills dose. One pill should be taken immediately as soon as unprotected intercourse has occurred and another after 12 hours or as directed by the physician, healthcare professional or doctor. It is effective upto 99% if taken immediately and 95% effective within 24 hours. Plan B pill is available OTC (over-the-counter)

2. Dedicated Products / Estrogen-Progestin combined pills

Alesse, Alesse 21 or Alesse 28 can also be taken as emergency contraceptive pills. Its dosages are recommended as below Take 5 pills within 120 hours of unprotected sex Take 5 pills after 12 hours

Note: Male's sperm in the semen remains active in uterus for maximum 5 days or 120 hours

3. Oral Contraceptives used as ECPs / Estrogen-Progestin combined pills

Most of the combined oral contraceptives are available in 21 and 28 days cycle. 21-day cycle pills only contain active pills whereas 28 day cycle pills contain 21 active pills and 7 inactive or placebo pills (also known as reminder pills)

Following combined oral contraceptive pills can also be used as emergency contraceptives.

a)

b)

c)

d)

You may also visit at birth control pills and Plan B pills to know more about the general information on emergency contraception and other birth control methods. The above article is for general information on emergency contraception and should not be taken as medical advice. If it is so, please consult your doctor or healthcare professional for treatment purpose.