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When
you need Emergency Contraception?
Emergency contraception is
not the substitute for regular birth control pills but to avoid immediate risk
of pregnancy due to contraception failure
Emergency contraception (EC)
is not the substitute for regular birth control methods or abortion but, in fact,
is the "emergency" option for women to avoid pregnancy after contraception failure,
sexual assault or unprotected intercourse. Emergency contraception, specially
Progestin-only birth control pills like Plan B, are advised to women seeking immediate
action to avoid pregnancy. Such pills are advised to rape victims and sexually
assaulted women as well.
Emergency contraception pills are also known as
"morning-after", "EC" or "Postcoital Contraception" in medical terms. However,
"morning-after" doesn't mean that emergency contraception pills to be taken in
the morning. It should be taken as prescribed.
Types of emergency contraception
methods :
These are available in broadly three ways whereas two methods
are in pill form and another is device known as intrauterine device. Two types
of pills are progestin-only like Plan B and usual combined birth control pills
(progestin and estrogen). Intrauterine device is also used as emergency contraception
and suggested to women who are allergic to progestin or estrogen based pills.
IUD as widely called is small, T shaped plastic device with a string attached
to the end. It is inserted through cervix and placed in the uterus to prevent
pregnancy. A small string hangs down from IUD into the upper part of the vagina.
How
Emergency contraception pills work?
Like other birth control pills, EC
works by stopping ovulation (i.e release of eggs) and preventing sperm to meet
with eggs for fertilization, hence there is no pregnancy.
When to take
Emergency contraception?
EC must be taken as soon as the unprotected intercourse
has occurred. Progestin-only pills like Plan B contraceptive pills are available
in two tablets. One pill must be taken immediately followed by next with 12 hours
apart. Though EC pills can be taken upto 5 days i.e 120 hours, however, Progestin-only
pills like Plan B are effective for upto 3 days i.e 72 hours.
Its effectiveness
after unprotected sex can be judged as below.
- 95% effective if taken within
24 hours
- 85% effective if taken between 24 to 48 hours
- 58% effective
between 49 to 72 hours
In case, more than 72 hours have passed of unprotected
sex then it is highly recommended to use the IUD (intrauterine device) after consulting
with your physician because after 72 hours, your contraceptive pills might be
failed.
Who should seek Emergency contraception help :
Well, it
is designed for emergency relief from getting pregnant. Women can take EC if
-
contraception methods are failed like condom is broken or slipped off during intercourse,
ring is removed or diaphragm, cap or any protection is removed.
- women think
that she had intercourse during "ovulation days". These are most crucial days
as the chances of becoming pregnant are very high.
- women are sexually abused,
raped or forced to go for unprotected intercourse.
Being the time sensitive,
two important factors will determine the effectiveness of emergency contraception
success and those are
- how soon woman takes it after the unprotected intercourse
has occurred.
- if she has another unprotected intercourse in the same menstrual
cycle.
Please also read Plan
B Pills FAQs to know more about genral frequently asked questions about this
pill.
The above article is for general information on emergency contraception
requirements and should not be taken as medical advice. If it is so, please consult
your doctor or physician for treatment purpose.
You may also visit at birth
control pills and Plan B birth control
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.
