EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION

(Also known as postcoital contraception and the "morning after pill")

Emergency contraception can prevent pregnancy if taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse. Although commonly called the "morning after pill", it is actually birth control pills taken in a specific way to prevent implantation of a fertilized egg. Emergency contraception has an effectiveness rate of 98.4% when taken within 72 hours of intercourse.

Oral Contraceptives (OC's)

Take 1 dose prescribed within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse.
Take 1 more dose 12 hours after your first dose.
About one-third of women who use emergency contraception experience temporary nausea. The nausea should stop within a day or so after treatment. Using Dramamine one-half hour before taking each dose may help reduce nausea. Taking each dose with food can also reduce nausea.
If you vomit within 2 hours after taking your pills, call the office for instructions. You may need to take additional pills to make up for the ones lost in vomiting.
Your next menstrual period should begin sometime within the next 2 or 3 weeks. If your period has not started after 3 weeks, a pregnancy test should be done.
After your period, consider using a reliable, ongoing method of birth control. Emergency contraception is meant only for occasional use.

What are the disadvantages?

Will not prevent an ectopic pregnancy
Can cause nausea and/or vomiting
No protection against sexually transmitted infections
Rarely, blood clot complications can occur. Early danger signals include:
- severe abdominal pain
- severe chest pain, cough, shortness of breath
- severe headache, dizziness, weakness or numbness
- blurred vision, loss of vision, or trouble speaking
- severe leg pain (calf or thigh)
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin)
Please call us at once if you have any of these problems.